Exercise 1: Exploring the Microsoft Azure Marketplace DataMarket portal and Service Explorer
In this exercise, we will sign up to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace DataMarket portal and use the Service Explorer to explore your service details and the DataMarket datasets.
Task 1 – Accessing and Signing Up to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace DataMarket Portal
In this task you will access the Microsoft Azure Marketplace DataMarket portal and sign up:
- Navigate to https://datamarket.azure.com/
- If you have a Windows Live ID, use it to sign in. If you do not have a Windows Live ID, create one.
Once you have signed in, take some time to review the portal.
Figure 1
Microsoft Azure Marketplace DataMarket portal
Click Register link.
Figure 2
Clicking Register
Enter the requested information in Account Details, review the privacy statement, and select the checkbox to agree with DataMarket privacy policies. Click the Continue button.
Figure 3
Registering for DataMarket
Review the User Agreement, and accept it selecting the I accept the Terms of Use checkbox. Click Register button to finish registration.
Figure 4
Accepting User Agreement
Once registered you see the My Data page. If not automatically redirected click My Data button on ribbon.
Task 2 – Exploring Your Account Keys
In this task, you will explore your account keys and create a new account key.
From the DataMarketPortalHomePage, click the My Account link. Alternatively, you can click on My Data tab.
Figure 6
Clicking My Account
Click Account Keys on left pane. To create a new account key, click the Addaccount key link.
Figure 7
Creating a new account key
The screen for adding an account key will display. Enter a description for the account key and click the Create button.
Figure 8
Adding a new Account Key
You will now see your new account key in the list of available keys.
Figure 9
Your new account key
Task 3 – Exploring the Datasets in the DataMarket and Subscribing to a Dataset
In this task, you will explore the DataMarket. The DataMarket allows users to browse and subscribe to available datasets.
Click Browse tab.
Figure 10
Clicking Browse
For each dataset, the DataMarket shows the data provider, a description of the dataset’s content, the type of the content, and provides a link that will allow you to subscribe to the dataset.
Using Search the MarketPlace, locate the UN DATA dataset called “Gender Info 2007 – United Nations Statistics Division”. Use the key word Gender.
Figure 11
Searching Dataset
Click on the dataset and review the information. Click on Sign Up button to subscribe to the dataset.
Figure 12
Reviewing dataset information
Review and accept Dataset Terms. Click Sign Up button.
Figure 13
Signing Up Dataset Subscription
Review the Receipt.
Figure 14
Your DataMarket Subscription Receipt
Task 4 – Using Service Explorer to Preview a Dataset
In this task, you will use the Service Explorer to preview a dataset to which you have subscribed.
- From the DataMarketPortal, click the My Data tab; you will see a list of your subscribed datasets.
- Locate the Free subscription for “Gender Info 2007” Dataset and click the title to open subscription.
Click Explore This Dataset link.
Figure 15
Exploring the dataset
The dataset will open in the Service Explorer.
Figure 16
Service Explorer
You can use the Service Explorer to query the dataset, invoke the dataset as an Atom feed, or analyze the dataset using the PowerPivot add-in for Excel 2010.
Modify or set some of the Optional parameters and click the Run Query button. This will display a preview of the dataset based on the criteria you set.
Figure 17
Previewing your Dataset
By default, the preview will display in Table format, however you can click Atom Pub link to preview the dataset in Atom Pub format.
Figure 18
Preview Formats