SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) provides two different approaches for data modeling: multidimensional and tabular. While there is substantial overlap between them, there are also significant differences. In this module, we discuss feature comparisons and explain each approach, then we’ll dive deeper into the tabular model as that is the focus for this course.

Lessons

• Analysis Services Installation and Architecture: One Product, Two Models
• Version Changes: SQL Server Analysis Services
• Important Terms
• SQL Server Data Tools for Tabular

Lab 1: What is the Tabular Model?

• SQL Server Data Tools for Tabular

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand Analysis Services Installation and Architecture: One Product, Two Models.
• Understand version changes: SQL Server Analysis Services.
• Understand important terms.
• Understand and utilize SQL Server Data Tools for Tabular.

In this module, we cover the specifics of creating projects, discuss options to either import or load data, and explore deployment.

Lessons

• Projects
• Importing
• Loading Data
• Examining Views
• Deployment

Lab 1: Working in Tabular

• Creating a Tabular Project

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand and utilize projects.
• Understand and utilize importing.
• Understand and utilize loading data.
• Understand and utilize examining views.
• Understand and utilize deployment.

In this module, we will explore data sources, the credentials needed to access them, and cover a few of the most common sources available.

Lessons

• Data Sources
• Data Credentials
• SQL as a Source
• Excel as a Source
• Flat Files as a Source
• Azure as a Source
• SharePoint as a Source
• Sorting During Load

Lab 1: Understanding Loading Data From Different Sources

• None

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand and utilize data sources.
• Understand and utilize data credentials.
• Understand and utilize SQL as a source.
• Understand and utilize Excel as a source.
• Understand and utilize Flat Files as a source.
• Understand and utilize Azure as a source.
• Understand and utilize SharePoint as a source.
• Understand and utilize sorting during load.

In this module, we will discuss two different languages; DAX and MDX. We will briefly explore MDX and its use with a tabular model, then we’ll cover DAX and walk-through how to use this powerful language.

Lessons

• Querying with MDX
• Basic DAX Syntax
• Evaluation Context
• Calculate Function
• Time Intelligence

Lab 1: Using DAX and MDX

• DAX Syntax
• DAX Data Types and Operator Overloading
• DAX Operators
• DAX Values
• Measures
• Calculated Columns
• Evaluation Contexts
• Date Calculations

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand querying with MDX.
• Understand and utilize DAX syntax.
• Understand and utilize DAX data types and operator overloading.
• Understand and utilize DAX operators.
• Understand and utilize DAX values.
• Understand and utilize measures.
• Understand and utilize calculated columns.
• Understand evaluation contexts.
• Understand and utilize date calculations.

In this module, we will discuss data modeling basics and explore how to utilize these concepts effectively.

Lessons

• Importing Related Tables
• Creating Relationships
• Hierarchies
• Direct Query
• KPIs
• Drillthrough
• Perspectives

Lab 1: Building Data Models

• Creating Relationships
• Hierarchies

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Lessons

• Understand and utilize importing related tables.
• Understand and utilize creating relationships.
• Understand and utilize hierarchies.
• Understand Direct Query.
• Understand and utilize KPIs.
• Understand drillthrough.
• Understand perspectives.

In this module, we will discuss utilizing DAX with PowerPivot, pivot tables, and Power View.

Lessons

• Working with PowerPivot
• Working with Pivot Tables
• Working with PowerView

Lab 1: Excel PowerPivot and Tabular

• Importing Data
• Importing Large Datasets
• Importing Data with a Query
• Creating Relationships
• Creating a Cascading Relationship
• Power View

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand and utilize PowerPivot.
• Understand and utilze Pivot Tables.
• Understand and utilize Power View.

A: This training is ideal for data analysts, business intelligence professionals, and individuals responsible for data preparation and modeling for Power BI. It is suitable for participants who have a basic understanding of Power BI and want to enhance their skills in data preparation to ensure accurate and meaningful insights from their data.

A: The training covers a range of topics, including data preparation best practices, data cleaning and transformation techniques, using Power Query to shape and refine data, working with relationships and data models in Power BI, optimizing data for performance, and troubleshooting common data preparation issues.

A: It is recommended to have a basic understanding of Power BI and its functionalities before attending this training. Familiarity with data concepts and basic data manipulation techniques will also be beneficial. However, the training is designed to cater to participants with varying levels of experience in both Power BI and data preparation.

A: The training equips you with the skills and techniques necessary to efficiently prepare and transform data for Power BI. By mastering data cleaning, shaping, and modeling, you can ensure accurate and reliable insights in your Power BI reports and dashboards. This proficiency in data preparation is highly valued in the business intelligence field and can enhance your career prospects as a data analyst or BI professional.