Chapter 10
Reporting with Analysis Services
What's in this chapter?
Understanding Analysis Server
Working with Multidimensional Expressions (MDX)
Building queries with the MDX Query Designer
Adding nonadditional measures
When to use the Aggregate function
Creating cube report actions
SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services is used to store and aggregate data. Specifically, it supports decision-support systems, ad hoc reporting, and business data analysis. After it is designed, cube data is easy to navigate to produce complex, business-relevant results for business leaders and information workers.
This chapter introduces some of the basic concepts of OLAP and multidimensional storage systems. You will use the Report Designer to create Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) language queries, both with and without the MDX Graphical Query Builder. You will learn how to build compelling reports using parameters, pivot tables, and KPI indicators in a table or matrix report.
Finally, you will learn to use cube actions and apply best practices and safety checks to your report solutions that use Analysis Services as a data source.
In the following chapter, you will build on this knowledge to create advanced reports that can change their content (rows, columns, and measures) by simply changing report parameter values.
Why Use Analysis Services for Reporting?
Every year at the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) Community Summit, I poll the Reporting Services session attendees and ask who ...
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