Producing a Report in XML Format

XML report outputs save the report data in a format that conforms to an internal schema, xmldata.xsd.

You can find this schema file in installation_location\bin.

This format consists of a dataset element, which contains a metadata element and a data element. The metadata element contains the data item information in item elements. The data element contains all the row and value elements.

You can create models from reports and other data that conform to the xmldata.xsd schema. This is useful if you want to use a report as a data source for another report, or if you use a database that cannot be read by IBM® Cognos® Framework Manager. In this case, export the data from the data source to an XML file, in conformance with the xmldata schema, and then open the XML file in Framework Manager.

For more information, see the Framework Manager User Guide.

You cannot produce the following in XML format:

  • maps
  • charts that do not have at least one category or series
  • reports that have more than one query defined in the report, unless the additional queries are used for prompts

    If a report contains more than one data container, such as a crosstab and a list, and both containers use the same query, only the output for the list is produced. If a report contains multiple lists, only the output for the first list is produced. If a report contains multiple crosstabs and multiple lists, only the output for the first list is produced.