MDX Query Returns Duplicate Values

When someone is querying a new Analysis Services cube, there is one mistake that I often see made: trying to use a dimension that does not relate to the desired measure group. For example, when looking at the Adventure Works cube, if you try to use any of the Reseller measures with the Customer dimension, you will receive the same value across the Customer members. Because there is no relationship defined in the cube, the MDX query will use the default member for that particular attribute, which, in this case, is the ‘All’ member. It would look something like this:

This type of situation typically goes away once a user has learned the new data model, but Management Studio 2008 provides a neat dropdown list to help initially avoid the rogue query. On the Metadata tab, under the label Measure Group, you can select the measure group you are targeting. The GUI refreshes to only show the dimensions and measures that are associated with that measure group. If we select the ‘Reseller Sales’ measure group, we can see the way the new display looks, including no Customer dimension!

A user can still use the inappropriate dimension, but hopefully this will prevent the issue right from the start. Happy querying!

Version: SQL Server 2008 RTM

PASS Community Summit 2008

This will be my first year attending the PASS Summit as a speaker rather than an attendee. I will be joining Rushabh Mehta to present a spotlight session entitled "Building an SSIS Management Framework". The PASS Summit is a great conference that focuses on SQL Server and Business Intelligence. Because it is in Seattle, there will be a ton of people from the SQL Server Developer Team and SQLCAT. If you have any questions about SQL Server, this is the place to be.

You still have a few weeks left to sign up. Solid Quality Mentors is also offering a discount code applicable to the cost of the conference. You can get that code from here: http://www.solidq.com/na/pass.aspx. So now you have no excuse left to not sign up!

Display Top N Rows - Alternate Method

In a previous post, I showed how to dynamically limit the number of rows shown in a table or matrix. This methodology used a filter on the table to only show the desired number of rows. The disadvantage with this method is that all rows are returned, even if only a small subset of rows is actually desired.

To alleviate this problem, you can use a query parameter to restrict the number of rows returned at the query level. This does introduce a different problem. Every time the report is run with a different Top N parameter, the query will be rerun to bring back the correct number of rows. You will need to determine which method is optimal for your situation.

Here are the steps to create a sample report to show this new method.

1. Add a report parameter named “NumberPpl” of data type integer.

2. Create a DataSource connecting to the AdventureWorksDW database and a DataSet with the following query:
SELECT TOP(cast(@TopN as int)) DimEmployee.FirstName, DimEmployee.LastName, SUM(FactResellerSales.SalesAmount) AS SalesAmount
FROM DimEmployee INNER JOIN
FactResellerSales ON DimEmployee.EmployeeKey = FactResellerSales.EmployeeKey
WHERE (FactResellerSales.OrderDateKey = 20011001)
GROUP BY DimEmployee.FirstName, DimEmployee.LastName
ORDER BY SUM(FactResellerSales.SalesAmount) DESC
Assign the @TopN query parameter to use the @NumberPpl report parameter.

Note that this differs from the original query in two ways:
A. Includes the TOP clause to restrict the rows
B. Includes a descending order by for the SalesAmount to ensure the highest SalesAmounts are shown

Also note that the TopN query parameter is cast to an integer. This is because all query parameters are created as string and the TOP clause expects an integer.

3. Add a table to the body of the report with the data fields of FirstName, LastName, and SalesAmount. Sort by the column SalesAmount from ‘Z to A’. This sort is now only for display purposes and is not necessary to return the correct data.

4. Preview the report, modifying the value for the parameter NumberPpl to see the number of rows change. It should look similar to the report below and the reports using the first method.

Version: SQL Server 2008 RTM

Upcoming Events

I have an exciting week coming up! On Wednesday evening, I will be speaking at the Rockville .NET User Group on SSIS Tips & Tricks for both SQL Server 2005 and 2008. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by.

On Friday night, the Northern Virginia Girl Geek Dinner is having their inaugural dinner. Hosting by Viget Labs, sponsorship by Microsoft, and a presentation by Dr. Joanne McGrath Cohoon will make for a great evening! I will be there, helping to ensure everything runs smoothly. The sign up deadline was just extended through Wednesday, so sign up now at http://novagirlgeekdinner.eventbrite.com/!