Power View for Multidimensional Models Released!

I am excited about SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 1 Cumulative Update 4 , released today, which provides the ability for customers to create Power View reports against their existing multidimensional models (a.k.a. cubes). SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 1 Cumulative Update 4 contains a few additional enhancements to the “Power View for Multidimensional Models -- Preview” based on customer feedback.  This functionality helps customers maximize their existing BI investments by enabling their use with the latest BI end-user tools and adds greater modeling flexibility to the BI Semantic Model. Customers need to upgrade their Analysis Services instance and the Reporting Services add-in for Microsoft SharePoint Server (2010 or 2013) with this Cumulative Update to create Power View reports against their existing cubes.

Microsoft introduced an interactive data exploration, visualization and presentation experience called Power View with SQL Server 2012. Power View reports are presentation-ready at all times because they are always connected to your data. Users can quickly create a variety of visualizations, from tables and matrices to bubble charts and sets of small multiple charts. Power View operates on a BI Semantic Model that resides in Analysis Services databases or PowerPivot workbooks.

With the SQL Server 2012 SP1 CU 4, Power View can consume data from multidimensional models. Now Power View users can connect to both the tabular and multidimensional formats of the BI Semantic Model. This is achieved through native support for Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) in Analysis Services multidimensional models, ensuring optimal performance and functionality. SQL Server 2012 SP1 CU4 contains a few additional enhancements to the “Power View for Multidimensional Models – Preview” released in November 2012. Stay tuned for a deeper dive on the functionality in a future post!

In summary, the Power View for Multidimensional Models release delivers the following and more:

1. Connectivity:

Power View connectivity to Multidimensional Models in SSRS SharePoint mode.                                                                                                                                            

2. Power View Visualization of Multidimensional Models:

Once connected to your Multidimensional data model, all the Power View stunning data visualizations are available at your fingertips.  In addition, some unique features of multidimensional models that now provide an improved experience to the Power View user.

3. Perspectives and Translations

Multidimensional models can have various perspectives where only certain dimensions and measures are visible. Power View supports connecting to a specific perspective via the connect string in RSDS file where you need to specify the perspective name as value to the Cube connection string property.

4. Power View Pinned Filters

One of the additional features of this release is the ability to specify that a filter should apply across all views of the Power View report.

5. Security

A user connecting to a cube via Power View is authenticated and evaluated for appropriate permissions. When a user has dimension security applied then the respective dimension members will not be seen by the user in Power View.

 

Link Summary:

• Power View For Multidimensional Models Documentation
• Download Power View For Multidimensional Models (SQL Server 2012 SP1 CU4)
• PowerView for Multidimensional Models Demo @ SQL Pass

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to upgrade SSAS & SSRS in SharePoint mode?

    Answer: Yes, you need to upgrade your SSAS & SSRS installed in SharePoint mode.

2. Can I upgrade from existing SQL Server 2012 installation?

    Answer: Yes, you can upgrade from an existing SQL Server 2012 installation.

3. In which editions is Power View support for multidimensional mode enabled?

    Answer: Enterprise and Business Intelligence editions.

4. Can I send DAX queries to multidimensional models?

    Answer: Yes, you can send DAX queries to multi-dimensional models.

5. Will Power View in Excel (on-prem or in the cloud) be able to connect to multi-dimensional models (cubes)?

    Answer: No, this update is only supported on stand alone SharePoint (2010 and 2013) mode.

6. When will Power View in Excel to connect to Multidimensional models?

    Answer: Enabling this scenario is a top priority for the team but we do not have any updates on the roadmap or timeframe to share at this time.

Enjoy!