Creating a tabular model

Let's start with how to create a tabular model.  This isn't meant to be a user guide; instead I'm just trying to give an impression of how easy (or otherwise) the software is to use.  You start by importing data:

You can import data from almost any relational database, but also from Excel, CSV files and even from the clipboard.

You can then choose which tables you want to import, and give them friendly names:

Here we've chosen to import 4 tables.

Analysis Services gives a friendly message showing that you've imported (or processed) the tables:

We've successfully loaded data into our model.

You can view your data model in either Grid view:

In grid view, you see one table's data at a time.

Or Diagram view:

In diagram view, you can see how tables are related, and even create new relationships.

You then need to create measures (stating which statistics you want to calculate in your pivot table):

The simplest way to create a measure: this will sum the quantity of sales by product, animal or species.

Finally, you can create a pivot table based on this model:

You can analyse your model in Excel using this menu.

By default you'll get a slightly messy pivot table field list, but it's easy enough to tidy this up:

What you get by default	After a bit of tidying

Bearing the hint above in mind, let's now have a look at the equivalent process for creating a cube in multi-dimensional mode for Analysis Services ...