What this book covers
Chapter 1 , Introduction to Microsoft Analysis Services Tabular Mode, introduces SQL Server 2016 and Microsoft’s Business Intelligence. You will learn about tabular modeling and the basic concepts that are used to build a solution. You will also review the new features that were released in SQL Server 2016.
Chapter 2, Setting up a Tabular Mode Environment, shows you how to install and configure SQL Server Analysis Services in tabular mode. In addition, you will install and configure Visual Studio 2015 and SQL Server Data Tools. Once setup you will learn how to configure your tabular model project.
Chapter 3 , Tabular Model Building, begins your foundational knowledge of tabular mode. You will begin by adding data to a model, create relationships between tables and then create a calculated column and measure. Finally, you round out the model with hierarchies and folders and deploy the model to the server.
Chapter 4, Working in Tabular Models, expands on the initial model and shows how to make modifications to existing and deployed model. In addition, you will learn how to create and modify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Chapter 5, Administration of Tabular Models, examines how to manage and modify your model’s properties. You will learn about perspectives, data partitions, user roles, and server properties.
Chapter 6, In-Memory Versus DirectQuery Mode, shows examples of the two choices in data storage and processing options. You then learn how to configure DirectQuery mode and the advantages and limitations of its use.
Chapter 7, Securing Tabular Models, details the different ways to implement security in a tabular model using both row level and dynamic security. The recipes in this chapter show how to create and modify security on your model.
Chapter 8, Combining Tabular Models with Excel, explores the various ways to leverage Microsoft Excel when designing and building a tabular model. You will explore data in Excel directly from Visual Studio when building a solution. In addition, you will connect to your model from Excel and use Power View and Power Pivot to explore the model.
Chapter 9, DAX Syntax and Calculations, explains the basics of Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) and how DAX is used to enhance a tabular model. Recipes are given on several of the more commonly used DAX formulas and how to filter data in your queries.
Chapter 10, Working with Dates and Time Intelligence, details how to create and define a Date table that the model will use for date and time based functions. Then you will explore common date functions to enhance your model to make it easy for your users to leverage the model.
Chapter 11, Using Power BI for Analysis, shows how to connect to the completed model and create reports. Recipes in this chapter detail how to create and modify visualizations and bring them together to create a dashboard.
