MDX, which stands for Multidimensional Expressions, is a language used in SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) to query data from multidimensional cubes. In this article, we will explore the concept of MDX and how it can be used in Power BI to generate reports.

Requirements

In order to work with MDX in Power BI, you will need to have the AdventureworksDW database and the SSAS Multidimensional project installed. If you are unfamiliar with the installation process, please refer to our previous article for detailed instructions.

Getting Started with MDX in SSMS

Before diving into Power BI, it is recommended to use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to write and test your MDX queries. SSMS provides a user-friendly interface for writing code and allows you to easily execute and debug your queries.

To get started with MDX in SSMS, follow these steps:

1. Open SSMS and connect to your SSAS server.
2. Right-click on the SSAS database in the Object Explorer and select “New Query” > “MDX”.
3. Write your MDX query in the query editor.
4. Click the “Execute” button to run the query.

SSMS also provides additional features such as drag-and-drop functionality to generate reports using cubes, dimensions, and measures. This can be particularly helpful for users familiar with SQL.

Sample MDX Queries

Here are a few examples of MDX queries that you can try in SSMS:

SELECT [Measures].[Internet Sales Amount] ON 0
FROM [Adventure Works]

SELECT [Measures].[Internet Sales Amount] ON columns
FROM [Adventure Works]

SELECT [Measures].[Internet Sales Amount] ON 0,
[Customer].[Customer Geography].[Country] ON 1
FROM [Adventure Works]

SELECT [Measures].[Internet Sales Amount] ON columns,
[Customer].[Customer Geography].[Country] ON rows
FROM [Adventure Works]

SELECT [Measures].[Internet Sales Amount] ON rows,
[Customer].[Customer Geography].[Country].[Australia] ON columns
FROM [Adventure Works]

These queries demonstrate how to retrieve specific measures from the Adventure Works cube and organize the data by different dimensions such as country and product.

Using MDX in Power BI

Once you have written and tested your MDX queries in SSMS, you can easily copy and paste them into Power BI to generate reports. Here’s how:

1. In Power BI, click on “Get Data” and select “Analysis Services”.
2. Enter the SSAS server name and optionally the database name.
3. Copy and paste your MDX query into the query editor.
4. Click “OK” to load the data into Power BI.
5. Transform the data as needed and create visualizations to analyze the results.

By using MDX in Power BI, you can access multidimensional data and create meaningful reports based on your specific requirements.

Conclusion

MDX is a powerful language that allows you to query multidimensional data in SQL Server Analysis Services. In this article, we explored the basics of MDX and how it can be used in Power BI to generate reports. We also highlighted the importance of using SSMS to write and test your MDX queries before integrating them into Power BI. By leveraging the capabilities of MDX, you can gain valuable insights from your data and make informed business decisions.