This chapter covers the concepts of creating SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Tabular Models that are included in SQL Server 2012. Tabular Models are the enterprise implementation of the xVelocity In-Memory Analytics Engine models that were introduced with Power Pivot and SQL Server 2008 R2. Often, Tabular Models are the result of working with Power Pivot models. The Power Pivot and Tabular Models are built on the same technology. However, there are some features which are not included in Power Pivot but are available in Tabular such as DirectQuery, partitions, and higher-level security. In this chapter, we will focus on building Tabular Models in SSAS using Visual Studio.
We will be using SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) in this chapter to create our model. Much of the work that we do in the initial creation of the model can also be done using Microsoft Excel 2010 or Microsoft Excel 2013 with the Power Pivot add-in. The design interface is very similar, so you will be able to...