Microsoft KB Archive/921198

= FIX: Error message when you export a matrix report or you use the Render method to render a matrix report to a PDF file or a TIFF file in SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services SP2: &quot;Object reference not set to an instance of an object&quot; =

Article ID: 921198

Article Last Modified on 10/16/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services Service Pack 2, when used with:
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services

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Bug #: 850 (SQL Hotfix)



Notice
Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services fixes as one downloadable file. Because the fixes are cumulative, each new release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services fix release.



This article describes the following about this hotfix release:
 * The issues that are fixed by this hotfix package
 * The prerequisites for installing the hotfix package
 * Information about whether you must restart the computer after you install the hotfix package
 * Information about whether the hotfix package is replaced by any other hotfix package
 * Information about whether you must make any registry changes
 * The files that are contained in the hotfix package



SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario. You have a matrix report that Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services Service Pack 2 (SP2) generates. You try to export the report to a Portable Document Format (PDF) file or a Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) file. In this scenario, you may receive the following error message:

Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

You may also receive this error message when you use the Render method in an application to render the matrix report to a PDF file or a TIFF file.

Additionally, you receive the following error message if you try to open the generated PDF file in Adobe Reader:

There was an error opening this document. The file is damaged and could not be repaired.

If you open the generated PDF file in a text editor, you receive the following error message at the end of the PDF file:

Microsoft.ReportingServices.ReportRendering.ReportRenderingException was thrown. Object reference not set to an instance of an object.



RESOLUTION
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites
You must have Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services SP2 installed to apply this hotfix. For more information how to obtain SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

842440 How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services

Restart information
You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information
You do not have to change the registry.

Hotfix file information
This hotfix contains only those files that are required to correct the issues that this article lists. This hotfix may not contain of all the files that you must have to fully update a product to the latest build.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the naming schema for Microsoft SQL Server updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

822499 New naming schema for Microsoft SQL Server software update packages

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Keywords: kbhotfixserver kbfix kbexpertiseadvanced kbqfe kbpubtypekc KB921198

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