Importing from Analysis Services cubes/tabular models

This page of the blog shows how you can import data from:

• cubes that have been deployed from SSAS Multi-dimensional; or
• Other tabular models.

Importing from SSAS Multi-dimensional cubes

Assume that you've already created and deployed a cube in SSAS Multi-dimensional.  Here's how to use this as a basis for a tabular model.

First choose to import data into your model as always:

Choose to import data from a data source.

Scroll down and choose a multi-dimensional data source:

Choose this option to bring data in from a cube.

Choose which server to connect to, and which cube to import:

Here I've given my connection a friendly name of MyLittleCube.

As so often, choose who you're impersonating (in this case, myself):

Here I'm logging on to the cube as myself.

To create an MDX query choosing what data to bring in, click on the Design button at the bottom right corner of the dialog box which appears:

You could type a query in, but it's easier to get SSAS to do the hard work.

Build your query by dragging fields from the left into the query designer:

Here we're showing total sales by species.

When you choose OK, you'll get an MDX query generated:

The MDX generated for this query.

You can now finish the wizard to import the data into your tabular model.

Importing data from a SSAS Tabular

You can import data from one tabular model into another, in the same way as for a multi-dimensional import as shown above. 

Start by importing from a data source:

Choose this option as usual.

Choose a multi-dimensional data source, even though that isn't actually what you want to import:

Choose this option, even though you want to import from a tabular model.

Choose the server you want to link to, and the tabular model (exposed as a cube) from which you want to import data:

Here we're importing from a model called BaseModel.

Choose to impersonate yourself, or choose a SQL Server account:

Here I'm connecting to the tabular model as myself.

Type in a valid DAX query (even though this is an MDX dialog box!):

Here we're just listing out the transactions.

When you finish the wizard, the data will be imported into your model.

For the final part of this tutorial on importing data into tabular models, I'll have a quick look at the other possible data sources.