Tutorial: Creating a Report Model Based on an Analysis Services Cube

You can create report models based on SQL Server databases, SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) database cubes, or Oracle databases running version 9.2.0.3 or later, and then use the resulting model in Report Builder. To create a model from a SQL Server database, SQL Azure Database, SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse, or an Oracle database, you can use Report Manager or Model Designer. For more information about creating models using Model Designer, see Tutorial: Creating a Report Model and Tutorial: Refining a Report Model in Model Designer.

To create a model from a SQL Server Analysis Services cube, you must use Report Manager. Model Designer cannot be used to create models from cubes, and a cube-based model cannot be modified in Model Designer afterwards.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create an Analysis Services cube-based model using Report Manager. For the purposes of this tutorial, you will create a report model based on an SSAS cube; however, you can follow these same steps, with the modifications noted, to create a model based on a SQL Server or an Oracle database.

Important

SQL Server samples and sample databases must be downloaded and installed before you can view or work with them. For more information, see Considerations for Installing SQL Server Samples and Sample Databases.

Requirements

To use this tutorial, your system must have the following installed:

  • Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services running in native mode. Support for models is not available in SQL Server Express.

  • Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services.

  • SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio.

  • SQL Server with the AdventureWorksDW2008R2 sample database.

In addition, you must have the following permissions:

  • To deploy and publish the report model, you need to be assigned to the Content Manager or Publisher role.

  • Permissions to retrieve data from the AdventureWorksDW2008R2 database.