Trying to create a report template to export out item category and revision number

[acanx21]

I'm trying to create a template for a report in Vault where we could see what the item revision number and what category the items are in. Our end goal is to be able to see which category ends up having more revisions than others so we can focus on where to improve.

I've created reports using the built in templates, but for some reason the only one that doesn't come out as empty for items is the "Items by Items State". 

When I try to create my own template so that I can add in more properties and columns, I am not able to modify the report. Everything I've seen online says to use  Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition to modify the rdlc file, but I have not been able to find a trusted source to download that program from, as the microsoft website no longer has it. 

Does anyone else know of a different program I can use to modify it? I've tried visual studio 2019, but when I run the file saved from there, it tells me that "The selected report template is not compatible with the current version of Vault". 

[Markus.Koechl]

You need to use Visual Studio 2015 as this version only matches the rdlc file format version that Vault uses. Follow the Tutorial on how to get your environment set up for editing: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/article/196571.

[smilinger]

You can also use this:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50002

You need change your report template file extension from rdlc to rdl to use it, and change it back after editing.