In short, **No, it's not possible**.

From [SSRS 2008 Column issue when exporting to a CSV file][1]:

> For csv export, the header of a column is determined by the `DataElementName` property of the textbox which actually contains the data. If the `DataElementName` property is not explicitly set by the user, DataElementName automatically gets defaulted to the value of the `textbox.Name` property.  
>
> That being said, I believe you're getting this issue because RDL has a restriction that both a `reportItem.Name` and `reportItem.DataElementName` property must be [**CLS-compliant identifiers**][2]. The headings like `"Phone #"`, `"Other Name(s)"`, etc... are not CLS-Compliant.
>
> You can verify this by opening up the report in BIDS or RB and trying to set the DataElementName/Name property of the textbox containing the data to those names.  
>
> You will get an error which states the following: 
>
> `Property Value is not valid. Specify a valid name. The name cannot contain spaces, and it must begin with a letter followed by letters, numbers, or the underscore character (_).`

There is a Microsoft Connect Issue about this, but unfortunately it looks like it won't be acted on.  
**See**: [Use of expressions for DataElementName property (for CSV Export)][3] 

[1]: https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/sqlserver/en-US/bc7bcae8-cce2-4626-8cb9-132a239a4ab8/#f9bd33ae-6d92-4050-94d8-92c6e26e00cc
[2]: http://www.unicode.org/unicode/reports/tr15/tr15-18.html
[3]: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/732034/

By default, csv takes the text box name as the csv header name for the columns. The text box does not allow a space. 

How do I make a different header than the text box for the csv?  
Is there a way to display comma in the header when exported to csv?

**Note**: The solution has to be only for one report; not global.


SSRS csv export with comma in the column header names

### Avoid `NoRowsMessage` and build your own conditional empty row

One problem (or feature if that's what you want) with `NoRowsMessage` is that it'll literally replace the entire table with just a plain old message string. 

Which provides a relatively counter-intuitive end user experience in my opinion. Normally when no data is found by a system, we'd like to know something about what data was being looked for and what it would have looked like.

Instead, based off [how to keep the structure of the Tablix when there is no data to show][SO1], you can do the following:


1. **Insert New Header Row**, outside the group and above the details record.
 ![Insert New Header Row][2]
 
2. Right click on the side of the new row and **Set Row Visibility**
 ![Set Row Visibility][3]

3. Set **Visibility to the following expression** which will [count the rows inside the current Tablix][SO2] and only set Visibility to True if there is no data.

 
 
 =CountRows() > 0

 ![Visibility Expression][4]

4. **Optionally**, merge the cells and add your own message or just display an empty row
 ![Merge Cells][5]
 ![Custom Message][6]

### Here's a comparison of how the various options will render: (pick whichever look you think best fits your data and use case)

![Output Examples][7]

 [SO1]: https://dba.stackexchange.com/a/48846/31340
 [SO2]: https://stackoverflow.com/a/10948672/1366033
 [album]: http://imgur.com/a/UhOlg
 [2]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/IqvoM.png
 [3]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/L4Sqj.png
 [4]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vzwrf.png
 [5]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/Xse66.png
 [6]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/WU8ho.png
 [7]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/6W6mp.png

I am building an SSRS 2005 report using BIDS. My report filters on date. When the selected date returns no data rows the report is blank, just the title is displayed, no table or column heading.

How can I change this to display a message like *`No data available.`* or *`Report is empty.`*?
