Contoso Oil and Gas sample report and model		Click here to create your own report
Contoso Schools sample report and model		Click here to create your own report
Tailspin Toys sample report and model		Click here to create your own report
Picnic sample report and model		Click here to create your own report
Car Auto sales and models		Click here to create your own report

Let’s walk through how to use the sample, and then how to create your own report.  I’ll use the car Auto Sales sample report and model.  To use the sample report, just click on the report image (or here).  You are taken to the report (after you’ve logged in using your LiveID and have Silverlight 5 installed – you only need to do this once) which is in reading mode.  The report is fully interactive so you can select any of the bar chart items, and it will show you only the make of those cars for that type selected, and sales for previous quarters.

You’ll also notice that this report has 3 Views to it.  You can click this icon to see all the views at once located in the bottom left-hand corner, or paginate through the different views using the control located in the bottom right-hand corner .  Each view is fully interactive so click on the various areas to dive deeper into the data.  You can also click on the Full-Screen mode to remove the chrome and be fully immersed.    If you want to change any of the items on the report, click on Edit Report.  You’ll now be exposed to all the Views in the report as well as the Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BI SM),  Ribbon, and object field well.

Simply select an object on the screen and modify it.  Maybe you want to have a clustered bar instead of a bar chart, or add more measures to the line chart.  Feel free to modify the report as much as you want.  I am going to describe how to create this report using the Click here to create your own report link.  You’ll notice that when you first click this link you are taken to a blank report.  Not very exciting.  Click on the edit report to begin.  You now have a clean View to create your own report. 

Let’s begin.  Click anywhere on the view and then click on Cars in the BI SM.  You’ll see the wait cursor and then a table of information will appear.   The Cars item in the BI SM is also bold meaning you’ve selected items from it.

Let’s change this view from a table to a card.  Click anywhere in the table and then from the Ribbon, select Design, in Visualizations select the down arrow, and the at the bottom click on Card.  You can also scroll in the Visualizations box.

Go ahead and resize this view so you an add more items on the page.  Click outside of the Card view in any empty area.  Expand the Cars item from the BI SM and then click on Type.  Expand the Sales item and then click on Cumulative Sales.  You’ll notice as you do, data begins to appear in the View, and the default action was to total the measure.

Click on the new table and then under Designs, select Column.  Resize this object so you can see all the different Types of cars and their sales.

The report is fully interactive so you can click on a bar item and only those cars in that type are displayed.  Now that you’ve tried this out, let’s go ahead and add the last object for this View.  Click on the empty white space to the bottom of the column chart and then expand Time, and select Quarter, and then from Sales select Sales Amount.  From the Design tab in the Ribbon select Line.  Resize this object to the width of the View.  Your final view should look like this:

Just one more thing to do to this View.  Click on the Line chart in the View, and then from the Home tab in the Ribbon, select Filter Area .  In the View, you’ll notice the Filters Area pop open.  Click on Chart to see the and then click Quarter.  Select (All) and the uncheck Q1 2006 to Q4 2006.  This means we are going to display all the Quarters except 2006.  The Filter Area allows you to identify what items to display on each view, or for each object (in this case the Chart).  You can simply drag and drop items into the Filters Area, use search to find items to include/exclude, as well as use sliders to limit timeframes.  You can close the filters area by selecting the icon in the Ribbon tab (don’t worry, your filters are still applied), or minimize the area by selecting the arrow in the heading .  I’ve done this in the picture below. 

Now that you’ve completed your first View, go ahead and click on column chart items to see which models are selling well and which ones are declining.  Click on the same column item to return the view to all items.

I am going to stop here but feel free to continue creating your own reports, using any of the models provided.  If you want to continue with Auto Sales, in the Ribbon, select Home tab and then click on New View .  Insert a blank view to continue adding more items or duplicate view if you want to modify anything to tell more of the story.  Use copy and paste to bring items from the original view forward if you don’t duplicate it and remember that each item can pop out to reveal more of what’s happening with the data.  Most of all, have fun. 

Want to try this demo out for yourself?  Head on over to our sandbox and start playing around.  Just hit the edit report link if you want to modify anything.  The link will take you to the same report that you see in the video and you can interact with it.  If you do not have Silverlight 5 installed it will prompt you to download it once you login using your LiveID.

If you want to create your own report using the same Semantic Model in the video, use this link .

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and a fantastic New Year.  And if you don't already have SQL Server 2012 RC0 - what are you waiting for, 2012? :)

Once you’ve downloaded all the files, you’ll need to UNRAR the files to extract the Hyper-V image.  Use your favorite RAR program to accomplish this.  You should be left with the following file structure.

Launch Hyper-V manager and let’s bring this image in.  If you have not already done so, you’ll need to create an Internal network in Hyper-V Manager. Under actions click on Virtual Network Manager…

In the Create Virtual Network, select Internal and click Add. You can give your Internal network a name. I keep things simple and call it Internal. Under Connection type, the radio button should be on Internal only. You should have something like this.

Go ahead and click OK. Now import the image like you normally would, by selecting Import Virtual Machine… from Actions, browsing to the location where you extracted the files, and selecting Copy the virtual machine (create a unique ID) import settings. Click Import and it should begin the process. You can dismiss any errors you receive. Once imported, you should now see a new image called SQLServerCodeNameDenaliCTP3. The first thing you want to do is inspect the settings and ensure they meet your hardware requirements. Things to check include:

Memory	Recommend you run this VHD on hardware with at least 16GB or more of RAM. The current setting is 10240 MB
Processor	Ensure you have right number of logical processors and adjust this accordingly.  The current setting is 2
Network	Add the Internal network adapter you have (or if you just created it using the steps above).

Once you’ve modified the settings to reflect the hardware system you have, as well as other images you have running, you can start the image. You’ll need to hit OK to accept the EULA and then login with the following credentials:

Username	CONTOSO\Administrator
Password	pass@word1

Let’s ensure the image has the right IP address configured and network card is working. Click on Start (Windows logo) -> Right click on Network and select Properties.

From the Network & Sharing Center click on Change adapter settings and then right click on Local Area Connection -> Properties.

Double click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to bring up the properties page. Your setting should be similar to the items in the image and outlined below:

IP Address	192.168.150.1
Subnet Mask	255.255.255.0
Default gateway	<leave blank>
Preferred DNS server	192.168.150.1

Once you’ve made any necessary changes click OK to exit the properties windows and return back to the desktop. Go ahead and click on the SQL Server – Home shortcut from the Desktop and this will launch IE and take you to the homepage.

For those of you looking to get started with Project Crescent, from this homepage you can click on Reports folder and then either Picnic or Tailspin. These are two demos that are in the image that you can use to learn about Project Crescent, and create your own reports. There is also a sample report for each demo so you can see the end result, but is more fun to create your own. 

You can upload your own models as well. The scripts for the demos, as well as the models, data sources, and BIDS developer files are located in the demo folder. There is a shortcut on the Desktop to take you there.

There is a lot in this release and we hope you have a chance to explore the many capabilities that are available. Remember this is a technology preview so your feedback is welcomed. Simply go to https://connect.microsoft.com/sqlserver/feedback and let us know what you think.

In order to get going, here’s a quick guide and some of the new features that are available.  First off my assumption is that you have Excel 2010 (and the latest update of course).

Go download the latest CTP of PowerPivot from here –> https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26721 

Please ensure you download the right bit-version for your installation of Excel 2010.  You can find this by going to Excel 2010 –> File –> Help.

Before you double-click the install you’ll need a few more items.  .NET 4.0 and the Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime (again, download the right bit-version for you version of Office).  Ensure you install .NET 4.0 FIRST and then the VS 2010 tools.

Once these are installed click on the PowerPivot.msi and then walk through the install.  You are now ready to roll with the new version.  Let’s take a look at what’s now here.  The best way to start is to use your existing PowerPivot workbooks.  Do note though that you’ll be asked to upgrade your workbook so ensure you make a copy first.

Let’s head over to the PowerPivot Tab and take a look at the new capabilities. Not much has changed here but there is the introduction of

some new icons, namely Create, Edit, and Delete KPIs. Take a look at the new PowerPivot Diagram, Measure Grid, visually view joins, to name a few.

Here’s the checklist of what you’ll need:

• A machine (or VM) that meets the system requirements.  I have a VM setup with at least 8GB of RAM (16+GB ideal), 2+ Processors.  Follow the system requirements for both SQL Server Denali and SharePoint Server 2010.
• Downloaded SharePoint 2010 SP1
• Hopefully by now you have had a chance to download the latest CTP of SQL Server Project Denali.

My assumption here is you are putting this together on a single machine and its all a clean install (nothing but Windows Server 2008R2 SP1 + all the latest updates since then, with Web Server/Application/File Server roles) and is part of a domain (needed for SharePoint).  It’s okay if this machine is the domain controller.  I also have the following features installed on my image.  Check with the install guide for SharePoint and SQL Server Denali to ensure you have the right / minimal requirements met).

Features	Roles

Let’s get started by installing SharePoint Server 2010.  You’ll need an Enterprise key for SharePoint Server 2010 to have PowerPivot and Crescent install and configure.  Kick start the process by installing the pre-requisite software.  Once done, I tend to remove the SSRS 2008R2 plugin that SharePoint installs (go to Control Panel –> Programs and Features and remove SSRS 2008R2 Plugin).

Install SharePoint Server 2010, by selecting a Server Farm install, and then selecting Complete – Install all components.  After the install, uncheck the configuration option and then click Close.  You’ll now need to install SharePoint 2010 SP1.

Once SharePoint is installed, let’s install SQL Server Denali CTP.  Double-click the install.exe and it will unpack onto your local drive.  I had to go into the Temp directory to also kick start the install wizard (SETUP.EXE) so watch for the path it installs into (mine was something like c:\users\<username>\appdata\local\temp\1\<longkeyhere>\SQLFULL_X64_ENU).  You should now be looking at the SQL Server Installation Center

Select Installation on the left, and then NEW SQL Server stand-alone installation… option (first one).   Some system checks will take place and then the necessary setup files will be installed.   As long as the major of the setup support roles pass, you can move forward.

Select Perform a new installation of SQL Server “Denali” CTP3 and click next.  Leave the default choices on the next screen as is, and select next.  Accept the license terms and click Next.  Now we are going to install the SharePoint integrated components first.  Select SQL Server PowerPivot for SharePoint (and ensure the checkbox is checked for adding the RDBMS engine), and click next.  All the components will need to be checked (which are by default) and you can click next.   You should have another series of checks pass, and then add information for the database engine, add account names for services and administration, etc… I took the default, and added the local user account and clicked next until the install screen.  Click next to start the install.  Once installed on the summary screen, select the Please launch PowerPivot Configuration tool option.  Don’t worry if you have already closed the window.  You can get to it from the Start menu –> All Program –> MSS Denali CTP3 Folder –> Configuration Tools  and click PowerPivot Configuration Tool.  Click the configure or Repair PowerPivot for SharePoint and fill in the fields.  Once done, click validate and then run.  You’ll see it start the config process and update the steps on the left pane.

Once this is installed and PowerPivot is configured  you’ll need to do another install of SQL Server, but this time, choose Perform a new installation of SQL Server Denali CTP3

and select SQL Server Feature Installation from the Setup Role screen

I checked everything other than Reporting Services- Native, Distributed Replay Controller and Distributed Replay Client.  This gives me a new instance of SQL Server RDBMS for my data files, SSAS and SSRS interop with SharePoint.  Also installed is the new Data Quality Services, and updated Master Data Services capabilities and of course SSIS. 

You’ll need to answer the same RDBMS prompts again as well as name your instance (I took the default).  For the Analysis Services Configuration screen you’ll notice something new this time.  You have the option of installing an instance of SSAS in either Multidimensional or Tabular mode.  You can have both installed on the same machine but will need to run the setup again to do so.  For this time, choose Tabular which is the new in-memory column store engine, and add the current user. 

Click all the way to the install.  If you want to install a Multidimensional instance, run the SQL Server Denali setup again, and select new instance/features (as above), select Analysis Services again, and when you reach the Analysis Services Configuration page, select Multidimensional.

Now that you have SharePoint and SQL Server Denali CTP installed and configured we need to do a couple of more things and you are ready to try out the new features, namely Crescent and Self-Service Alerting, as well as use your PowerPivot workbooks to create your first Crescent reports.  Go to the SharePoint 2010 Central Administration site.  Select Manage Service Applications.  Select New (top left) and then SQL Server Reporting Services Service Application.

You’ll now need to fill this in with the credentials.  If you followed the steps above to a tee, for the database server enter <machinename>\powerpivot for the relational instance to use.  Make sure you check the default web application association (bottom of form).  Once done you are pretty much set.

Go here and download some samples and start using Crescent, Self-Service Alerting, and of course PowerPivot  –>https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/sql-server-samples-readme.aspx#Readme_for_Crescent_Samples_Denali_CTP3

I’ll do a video of this as well but this should get you started and using the Denali CTP bits and Project Crescent.  If you have any questions let me know.  I’ll do another post on how to get the samples going, using your own PowerPivot workbooks, and a few other tidbits that are in Denali.  

-Pej.

So how do you get started?  You’ll need Excel 2010 and the PowerPivot Add-in.  Then head on over to download the free application here –> https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=07a56b57-5f60-4a2f-a010-bebf40a94eae&displaylang=en

Once you install it, you’ll find an Excel workbook on your desktop called “Microsoft Analytics for Twitter” Double click and you are in. We’ve populated it with some sample searches to help you get started.  Let’s walk through the individual tabs.

The Topics sheet helps identify key topics and mentions based on your query, frequency of tweets by time of day, and top tweets.

The People sheet identifies the positive and negative tweeters, top tweeters by day and mentions.

The Tone sheet uses the custom tone dictionary to score the tweets, identifies neutral, negative and positive tweets, and visualize this over time and day.

The Details sheet gives you every tweet and you can slice this by tone, your query, time of day and date.

The Instructions sheet gives you the details on how to use the app.

The Tone Dictionary allows you to modify the words that are scored to determine the tone score, as well as what words are positive, neutral and negative.

Lastly, for those that are interested, we’ve made the code available for you to use and try out as is.

So let’s get started.  Go to the Topics sheet and enter in your own search terms and then click the search button at the end.

You’ll see a new window pop up giving you information on the searches taking place and once done, a search complete window letting you know how many queries returned (seems I’ve been quiet on Twitter lately).

Before you can see your data, you’ll have to perform some manual steps as identified by the next steps window

Click OK and head on over to PowerPivot Tab and click Update All

The PowerPivot window will open and after a few seconds you’ll see the data in the tables change to reflect your search queries.  You can minimize or close this window once it is updated.  I tend to minimize. Now head on over to the Data tab and click Refresh All

Once completed, all the sheets are updated with the search query.  You browse, slice and dice, and change whatever items you want.  It’s just Excel now!  If you don’t like the default charts, no problem… Excel has a lot of other ones to choose from.  This goes for pretty much anything in the workbook.  You also can create your own calculations and if you are familiar with DAX, open the PowerPivot window and really create some interesting views.

I hope you enjoy the app and  welcome your feedback.

Pej.

Hope you have a great Friday

If you've been following the latest set of news from HP and Microsoft, you should know that we've know that last week HP/Microsoft some very important and exciting announcement for you. It’s not a tablet, but rather something I feel is much more exciting!!!

HP and Microsoft announced the new Business Decision Appliance: the Self Service BI appliance and, in fact, the first BI appliance in the market. For you (ladies and gentlemen), it's the PowerPivot for SharePoint appliance you've been asking for. This project came together after many months of hard work by both teams and as many of our BETA customers will tell you, it works like a charm.

Why is this important for you? The typical enterprise deployment can take weeks if not months and this appliance helps reduce the time-to-use by allowing you to get PowerPivot for SharePoint up and running within minutes, not days. Most of our IT customers do not want to deal with complex setup or configuration – nor should they be in that business. The appliance is configured to handled workloads from mid-size customers to departments in large organization and it provides the right collaboration environment to share your Microsoft Excel PowerPivot workbooks. Because it’s the same PowerPivot technology that you’re familiar with, the appliance refreshes your documents and also monitors all workbooks loaded in that environment giving IT the insights (over user activities) and oversight (on data). 

Want to learn more more about the appliance, check out the blog and video from our engineering team…

My favorite use of Excel you ask?  Besides my budget, business analysis (you know, the stuff I can’t talk about), what-if scenarios, gadget shopping analysis (right now it’s 3D TVs), 80s arcade hits, and so so much more?  AC/DC video you can download here..  You rock my world Excel.  Here’s to another 25 years and many more scenarios.

25 years of Excel-lence

Excel History

Click here to download the whitepaper