Multidimensional Model Databases (SSAS)

Applies to: SQL Server Analysis Services Azure Analysis Services Fabric/Power BI Premium

An SQL Server Analysis Services database is a collection of data sources, data source views, cubes, dimensions, and roles. Optionally, an SQL Server Analysis Services database can include structures for data mining, and custom assemblies that provide a way for you to add user-defined functions to the database.

Cubes are the fundamental query objects in Analysis Services. When you connect to an Analysis Services database via a client application, you connect to a cube within that database. A database might contain multiple cubes if you are reusing dimensions, assemblies, roles, or mining structures across multiple contexts.

You can create and modify a SQL Server Analysis Services database programmatically or by using one of these interactive methods:

  • Deploy an SQL Server Analysis Services project from SQL Server Data Tools to a designated instance of SQL Server Analysis Services. This process creates an SQL Server Analysis Services database, if a database with that name does not already exist within that instance, and instantiates the designed objects within the newly created database. When working with an SQL Server Analysis Services database in SQL Server Data Tools, changes made to objects in the SQL Server Analysis Services project take effect only when the project is deployed to an SQL Server Analysis Services instance.

  • Create an empty SQL Server Analysis Services database within an instance of SQL Server Analysis Services, by using either SQL Server Management Studio or SQL Server Data Tools, and then connect directly to that database using SQL Server Data Tools and create objects within it (rather than within a project). When working with an SQL Server Analysis Services database in this manner, changes made to objects take effect in the database to which you are connecting when the changed object is saved.

SQL Server Data Tools uses integration with source control software to support multiple developers working with different objects within an SQL Server Analysis Services project at the same time. A developer can also interact with an SQL Server Analysis Services database directly, rather than through an SQL Server Analysis Services project, but the risk of this is that the objects in an SQL Server Analysis Services database can become out of sync with the SQL Server Analysis Services project that was used for its deployment. After deployment, you administer an SQL Server Analysis Services database by using SQL Server Management Studio. Certain changes can also be made to an SQL Server Analysis Services database by using SQL Server Management Studio, such as to partitions and roles, which can also cause the objects in an SQL Server Analysis Services database to become out of sync with the SQL Server Analysis Services project that was used for its deployment.

Attach and Detach Analysis Services Databases

Backup and Restore of Analysis Services Databases

Document and Script an Analysis Services Database

Modify or Delete an Analysis Services Database

Move an Analysis Services Database

Rename a Multidimensional Database (Analysis Services)

Compatibility Level of a Multidimensional Database (Analysis Services)

Set Multidimensional Database Properties (Analysis Services)

Synchronize Analysis Services Databases

Switch an Analysis Services database between ReadOnly and ReadWrite modes

See Also

Connect in Online Mode to an Analysis Services Database
Create an Analysis Services Project (SSDT)
Querying Multidimensional Data with MDX