Keep original column names in SSRS report designer 3.0?

I have a query that returns over a hundred columns. The column names contain important underscores, >,

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Transform the XML reporting rdl file.

• Find and Replace one of the desired characters, such as an Underscore, in the dataset query SQL with a non-sense string, such

as "3145234jhasdf" ..... (minus the quotes).

• In Report Builder, create a DataSet with the resulting data.

• Create a Tablix with that DataSet. The headers in the Tablix will now look odd. As an example the header, "Column_One", will now look something like this: "Column3145234jhasdfOne".

• Save the file on your desktop or other local directory. It will be an RDL file. Close Report Builder.

• Open the resulting RDL file you saved in a text editor, such as Notepad++. You will see XML code.

• Find and Replace your non-sense string: "3145234jhasdf", with the character you want it to display your headers: "_".

• Save the file. Close the text editor.

• Open the file in Report Builder. Your headers should look like you want it.

You can replace more than one type of character by choosing a different non-sense string for each. For ease, keep the string alphanumeric with no spaces.

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#15042, answer score: 3