From MS SQL Server to Visual Studio to Power BI, right?

[bee_kissme]

I import excel file to MS SQL Server 2016 already. I want to show report in Power BI but the project must use OLAP cube technology also. I am not sure in my step working

Step 1: Import Excel file to MS SQL Server

Step 2: Setup Reporting Services Configuration Manager

Step 3: Create OLAP cube in Visual Studio

Step 4: Power BI --- choose datasource is SSAS

Step 5: Making report/dashboard

True or false, please suggest me 

[BetterCallFrank]

hi @bee_kissme

your steps are basically right if you really need a multidimensional cube.

However, what is the benefit of a (complex) Multi-Dim cube for a single Excel-file when PowerBI gives you an tabular "OLAP"-cube implicitly?

Depending on what your amount of data and reporting requirement is, you could also consider just using PowerPivot within Excel...?

Maybe give us some more details into your requirements/data/thinking.

HTH,

Frank

[bee_kissme]

Hi @BetterCallFrank

I have project to teacher. I am studying data warehouse and business intelligence. I choose Power BI because it is new technology and challenge.

I have data of the health check up in excel files, 5 years : 5 files then I import this data to MS SQL Server. I create relation database, tables by separate tables from group checkup, for example: general, heart, blood, xray, etc. In Power BI, if I choose year 2013, I can see all tables follow requirements. But I present to teacher, he said after I convert to data warehouse, I will making OLAP before creating business intelligence. He give me back to do OLAP cube also.

[BetterCallFrank]

hi @bee_kissme

I see 🙂

of course, if part of the exercise is to create a multidim olap cube, then go ahead and do so.

however, you can very well model a clean star schema in a tabular model within powerbi, which is like "the new version of olap cubes" - maybe your teacher does not know that - but its up to you, whether you want to challenge him on that 😉

Have fun building your cube 🙂

Frank

[bee_kissme]

Hi @BetterCallFrank

You prefer Power BI is the new version olap cubes, right? If I create star schema good, it is not necessary to do olap cube in Visual Studio Business Intelligence?

[Anonymous]

Hi @bee_kissme,

>>If I create star schema good, it is not necessary to do olap cube in Visual Studio Business Intelligence?

I find a function to directly export excel file to cube, perhaps you can refer to below blog:

How to create cube files for offline use using Excel

Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng