Tag Archives: sharepoint 2010 foundation

Alternative Way to Output Data in XML format from a SharePoint List Using /_vti_bin/owssvr.dll

In my previous post I explained how to create a DFWP in order to display contents of a SharePoint list in XML structured output. There is a faster way: /_vti_bin/owssvr.dll!

All you need is:

  1. The URL of your server, e.g.: http://yoursharepointserver.com
  2. The List GUID, e.g. 1CABA434-E7A6-443D-90DA-B3E7DEED245F
  3. and create a custum list view (if you need one, otherwise just use the default view: “All Items”)

Lets put it together now: server + /_vti_bin/owssvr.dll + cmd + list + view + output

In my case it looks like that:
http://mysharepointserver.com/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={1CABA434-E7A6-443D-90DA-B3E7DEED245F}&View={87486B2B-71D9-4B78-956E-B05B52EB60C0}&XMLDATA=TRUE

If you are dislpaying the default “All Items” View, you can dismiss the View parameter:
http://mysharepointserver.com/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={1CABA434-E7A6-443D-90DA-B3E7DEED245F}&XMLDATA=TRUE