Create First OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Services

Create First OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Services - CodeProject
1 of 22
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/658912/Create-First-OLAP-Cube-i...
Sign up for our free weekly Web Developer Newsletter.
Search for articles, questions, tips
home
articles
quick answers
discussions
features
community
help
Articles Database Database SQL Server
Create First OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Services

Mubin M. Shaikh, 21 Jul 2014
CPOL
Rate this:
4.84 (199 votes)

Learn creation of OLAP Cube in SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) using Microsoft BIDS (Business Intelligence Development Studio)
Environment and Data Warehouse
Download SalesDataAnalysis.zip - 53.7 KB

Download Data_WareHouse__SQLScript.zip - 8.1 KB
Introduction
This article is created to help those technical newbies who want to learn creation of OLAP Cube in SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services)
using Microsoft BIDS (Business Intelligence Development Studio) Environment and Data Warehouse. We will first take a glimpse at the
basic introduction to requirement of OLAP Cube, and then create OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Service by following 10 easy steps.
Before preparing OLAP Cube, we need to create and populate our data warehouse. If you are totally new to Data Warehouse concepts,
please take a quick look at my previous article Create First Data Warehouse which can give you a brief idea on data warehouse
concepts which are used in this article.
Brief Introduction to OLAP Cube

What is OLAP Cube & Why do we need it?
An OLAP cube is a technology that stores data in an optimized way to provide a quick response to various types of complex
queries by using dimensions and measures.
Most cubes store pre-aggregates of the measures with its special storage structure to provide quick response to queries.
SSRS Reports and Excel Power Pivot is used as front end for Reporting and data analysis with SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services)
OLAP Cube.
SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) is Microsoft BI Tool for creating Online Analytical Processing and data mining functionality.
BIDS (Business Intelligence Development Studio) provides environment for developing your OLAP Cube and Deploy on SQL
Server.
BIDS (Business Intelligence Development Studio) comes with Microsoft SQL Server 2005, 2008 (e.g. Developer, Enterprise Edition) .
We have to choose OLAP Cube when performance is a key factor, the key decision makers of the company can ask for statistics
from the data anytime from your huge database.
We can perform various types of analysis on data stored in Cube, it is also possible to create data mining structure on this data
which can be helpful in forecasting, prediction.
What is the difference between OLAP and OLTP?

Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)
Designed to support Daily DML Operations of your application
Designed to hold historical data for analyses and forecast business

needs
Holds daily Latest Transactional Data related to your application
Data is consistent up to the last update that occurred in your Cube
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
2 of 22
Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)
Data stored in normalized format
Data stored in denormalized format
Databases size is usually around 100 MB to 100 GB
Databases size is usually around 100 GB to a few TB
Used by normal users
Used by users who are associated with the decision making process,
e.g., Managers, CEO.
CPU, RAM, HDD space requirement is less.
CPU, RAM, HDD space requirement is higher.
Query response may be slower if the amount of data is very

large, it can impact the reporting performance.
Query Response is quicker, management can do Trend analysis on

their data easily and generate quicker reports.
T-SQL language used for query
MDX is used for querying on OLAP Cube
Basic Architecture
In our case, data warehouse is used as a source of data to Cube in BIDS. Once Cube gets ready with data, users can run queries on Cube
created in SSAS. SSRS Reports and Excel Pivoting/Power Pivot can use OLAP Cube as source of data instead of OLTP database to get
performance for resolving Complex Queries.
SSRS Reports, Excel Power Pivot can be used for visualization/analysis of data from cube.
Scenario
X-Mart is having different malls in our city, where daily sales take place for various products. Higher management is facing an issue while
decision making due to non availability of integrated data they cant do study on their data as per their requirement. So they asked us to
design a system which can help them quickly in decision making and provide Return on Investment (ROI).
So as a part of the design, we had completed designing of First Data Warehouse in my previous article. Now we have to Design / Create
OLAP Cube in SSAS, on which our reports can do a quick query and we can also provide self service BI capability to users later on.
Creating Data Warehouse

Let us execute our T-SQL Script to create data warehouse with fact tables, dimensions and populate them with appropriate test values.
Download T-SQL script attached with this article for creation of Sales Data Warehouse or download from this article Create First Data
Warehouse and run it in your SQL Server.
Follow the given steps to run the query in SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio).
1. Open SQL Server Management Studio 2008
2. Connect Database Engine
3. Open New Query editor
4. Copy paste Scripts given below in various steps in new query editor window one by one
5. To run the given SQL Script, press F5
6. It will create and populate Sales_DW database on your SQL Server
Developing an OLAP Cube

For creation of OLAP Cube in Microsoft BIDS Environment, follow the 10 easy steps given below.
Step 1: Start BIDS Environment
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
3 of 22
Click on Start Menu -> Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 -> Click SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio.
Step 2: Start Analysis Services Project

Click File -> New -> Project ->Business Intelligence Projects ->select Analysis Services Project-> Assign Project Name -> Click OK
Step 3: Creating New Data Source

3.1 In Solution Explorer, Right click on Data Source -> Click New Data Source
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
4 of 22
3.2 Click on Next
3.3 Click on New Button
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
5 of 22
3.4 Creating New connection

1. Specify Your SQL Server Name where your Data Warehouse was created
2. Select Radio Button according to your SQL Server Authentication mode
3. Specify your Credentials using which you can connect to your SQL Server
4. Select database Sales_DW.
5. Click on Test Connection and verify for its success
6. Click OK.
3.5 Select Connection created in Data Connections-> Click Next
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
6 of 22
3.6 Select Option Inherit
3.7 Assign Data Source Name -> Click Finish
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
7 of 22
Step 4: Creating New Data Source View

4.1 In the Solution Explorer, Right Click on Data Source View -> Click on New Data Source View
4.2 Click Next
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
8 of 22
4.3 Select Relational Data Source we have created previously (Sales_DW)-> Click Next
4.4 First move your Fact Table to the right side to include in object list.
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
9 of 22
Select FactProductSales Table -> Click on Arrow Button to move the selected object to Right Pane.
4.5 Now to add dimensions which are related to your Fact Table, follow the given steps:
Select Fact Table in Right Pane (Fact product Sales) -> Click On Add Related Tables
4.6 It will add all associated dimensions to your Fact table as per relationship specified in your SQL DW (Sales_DW).
Click Next.
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
10 of 22
4.7 Assign Name (SalesDW DSV)-> Click Finish
4.8 Now Data Source View is ready to use.
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
11 of 22
Step 5: Creating New Cube

5.1 In Solution Explorer -> Right Click on Cube-> Click New Cube
5.2 Click Next
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
12 of 22
5.3 Select Option Use existing Tables -> Click Next
5.4 Select Fact Table Name from Measure Group Tables (FactProductSales) -> Click Next
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
13 of 22
5.5 Choose Measures from the List which you want to place in your Cube --> Click Next
5.6 Select All Dimensions here which are associated with your Fact Table-> Click Next
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
14 of 22
5.7 Assign Cube Name (SalesAnalyticalCube) -> Click Finish
5.8 Now your Cube is ready, you can see the newly created cube and dimensions added in your solution explorer.
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
15 of 22
Step 6: Dimension Modification

In Solution Explorer, double click on dimension Dim Product -> Drag and Drop Product Name from Table in Data Source View and Add
in Attribute Pane at left side.
Step 7: Creating Attribute Hierarchy In Date Dimension

Double click On Dim Date dimension -> Drag and Drop Fields from Table shown in Data Source View to Attributes-> Drag and Drop
attributes from leftmost pane of attributes to middle pane of Hierarchy.
Drag fields in sequence from Attributes to Hierarchy window (Year, Quarter Name, Month Name, Week of the Month, Full Date UK),
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
16 of 22
Step 8: Deploy the Cube

8.1 In Solution Explorer, right click on Project Name (SalesDataAnalysis) -- > Click Properties
8.2 Set Deployment Properties First

In Configuration Properties, Select Deployment-> Assign Your SQL Server Instance Name Where Analysis Services Is Installed (mubinpc\fairy) (Machine Name\Instance Name) -> Choose Deployment Mode Deploy All as of now ->Select Processing Option Do Not
Process -> Click OK
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
17 of 22
8.3 In Solution Explorer, right click on Project Name (SalesDataAnalysis) -- > Click Deploy
8.4 Once Deployment will finish, you can see the message Deployment Completed in deployment Properties.
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
18 of 22
Step 9: Process the Cube

9.1 In Solution Explorer, right click on Project Name (SalesDataAnalysis) -- > Click Process
9.2 Click on Run button to process the Cube
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
19 of 22
9.3 Once processing is complete, you can see Status as Process Succeeded -->Click Close to close both the open windows for
processing one after the other.
Step 10: Browse the Cube for Analysis

10.1 In Solution Explorer, right click on Cube Name (SalesDataAnalysisCube) -- > Click Browse
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
20 of 22
10.2 Drag and drop measures in to Detail fields, & Drag and Drop Dimension Attributes in Row Field or Column fields.
Now to Browse Our Cube
1. Product Name Drag & Drop into Column
2. Full Date UK Drag & Drop into Row Field
3. FactProductSalesCount Drop this measure in Detail area
We will see some more features shortly - how can we assign user friendly names, named calculations, named query, ordering on hierarchy,
hiding dimension attributes, creating perspective, KPI, security roles, etc.
Friends, if you liked my article, please do not forget to vote for me.
Enjoy SQL Intelligence.
License
This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)
Share
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
21 of 22
EMAIL
TWITTER
About the Author

Mubin M. Shaikh
Team Leader
India
Microsoft Certified Professional (Microsoft Certification ID: 8918672).
Design and Develop Business Intelligence Solutions using Microsoft BI.
(SQL Integration Services - SSIS, SQL Analysis Services - SSAS, Reporting Services - SSRS,SQLServer,Dimension Modelling,Data Warehouse,Power Pivot, Power View, Power Map, Power
query,.Net,C#,WCF)
Linked In Profile:
Click Here to View Linked In Profile
Change Will Not Come If We Wait for Some Other Person,or Wait for Some Other Time, We are
the One We are Waiting For,We are the Change That we Seek.
You may also be interested in...

Create First SSRS Report with SQL
Server Analysis Services OLAP Cube
Challenging Some of the Myths

About Static Code Analysis
Cubes, MDX, Analysis Services and

ADOMD in C#
Is SQL Server killing your

applications performance?
Tree utilities in SQL Server 2000 and

2005, and OLAP implementations
SAPrefs - Netscape-like Preferences

Dialog
Comments and Discussions

You must Sign In to use this message board.
Go
Search Comments
Profile popups
Spacing Relaxed
Layout Normal
Per page 25
Update
First Prev Next
Superb
Member 12101055
1-Nov-15 7:07
6/11/2015 1:02 AM
22 of 22
Great Article
leketekoa
28-Oct-15 2:44
Create First OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Services
Member 3276162
13-Oct-15 2:46
My vote of 5
Member 12000196
21-Sep-15 4:49
My vote of 5
ham rez
Doubt
BI Rajesh
6-Sep-15 0:20
My vote of 5
John Titi
8-Aug-15 19:00
My vote of 5
224917
27-Jul-15 5:11
Question about data security
HTSoft
11-Jun-15 19:37
Nice article
Member 4169279
10-Jun-15 22:55
Big Thank You
Member 11357942
24-May-15 23:02
useful article
Member 11686114
17-May-15 19:00
Very Helpfull
Brijmohans30
10-May-15 21:14
Good Explanation
Jamal Ansari
9-May-15 22:28
Excellent article!
Member 11645044
27-Apr-15 2:50
Excelente artculo!!!!
gisycu
22-Apr-15 8:38
--
Member 11629004
22-Apr-15 2:02
Many thank. This is very useful for a beginner
Prashant Dave
Excellent Article
Member 11551845
error when i deploy the cube.
invincible021
Re: error when i deploy the cube.

Error while deployment
Re: Error while deployment
Error when processing the Cube
General
News
24-Mar-15 7:47
10-Mar-15 19:13
Member 11584809
6-Apr-15 10:01
sumit.rastogiii
9-Mar-15 5:34
Mubin M. Shaikh
9-Mar-15 7:57
Question
24-Feb-15 0:04
Member 11075911
Last Update: 5-Nov-15 4:07
Suggestion
15-Apr-15 21:04
Member 8731611
Re: Error when processing the Cube
Last Visit: 31-Dec-99 19:00
14-Sep-15 20:04
8-Jul-15 6:49
Refresh
Bug
Answer
Joke
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next
Praise
Rant
Admin
Use Ctrl+Left/Right to switch messages, Ctrl+Up/Down to switch threads, Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right to switch pages.
Permalink | Advertise | Privacy | Terms of Use | Mobile
Web01 | 2.8.151103.1 | Last Updated 21 Jul 2014
Select Language
Layout: fixed |
fluid
Article Copyright 2013 by Mubin M. Shaikh

Everything else Copyright CodeProject, 1999-2015
6/11/2015 1:02 AM

Create First OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Services - CodeProject

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Create First OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Services - CodeProject

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Create First OLAP Cube in SQL Server Analysis Services - CodeProject

Sign up for our free weekly Web Developer Newsletter.

Search for articles, questions, tips

Articles Database Database SQL Server

4.84 (199 votes)

Download SalesDataAnalysis.zip - 53.7 KB

Brief Introduction to OLAP Cube

What is the difference between OLAP and OLTP?

Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)

Designed to support Daily DML Operations of your application

Designed to hold historical data for analyses and forecast business

Holds daily Latest Transactional Data related to your application

Data is consistent up to the last update that occurred in your Cube