Getting XML Data From a SharePoint List using OWSSVR.DLL

Reference 1: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kaevans/
Reference 2: http://www.synergyonline.com/Blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=123

Ever since v1 of SharePoint Team Services, Microsoft has used OWSSVR.DLL to remotely invoke functions against SharePoint.  With the incorporation of Web Services in v2, this need is partly deprecated and even more so in v3.  Nonetheless, OWSSVR.DLL is still around and still plays an important role with external applications such as SharePoint Designer.  It is part of FP-RPC (Front Page – Remote Procedure Call) but should not be confused with Front Page extensions.

Step 1: Find the GUID for a list, just go to the List Settings page for the list and copy it from the URL. (_layouts/listedit.aspx)

Step 2: Use the following link to query the xml data from OWSSVR.DLL:

http://{0}/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={1}&XMLDATA=TRUE
OR
http://{0}/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll?Cmd=Display&List={1}&View={2}&XMLDATA=TRUE

{0} – The URL to your site.  This could be the root web or a child site.
{1} – The GUID for your list. (Step 1)

{2} – The View GUID for your list.