I have an rdlc that has a separately-defined dataset. The time has come that I have the need to add a column to one of the tables, which I can do without issue. However, when I open the rdlc to use the new column, it does not appear in the Report Data pane. This issue was reported to Microsoft here, but it was closed as by design. The workaround offered with the issue does not seem to work for VS2010 (refresh the dataset or the table; neither does anything). Solution The only way to add a column to a dataset that is already attached to an rdlc is to hand-edit the xml (i.e. open the rdlc with your favorite text editor and add a Field to the appropriate table). After doing this, the field appears in the Report Data pane in the Design Pane, and you can use it as if it were there from the beginning. Save the report. Replace Report tag with the following line Then remove the following head, //keep the data here ...