Create and Manage Tabular Model Partitions (SSAS Tabular)
Partitions divide a table into logical parts. Each partition can then be processed (Refreshed) independent of other partitions. Partitions defined for a model during model authoring are duplicated in a deployed model. Once deployed, you can manage those partitions by using the Partitions dialog box in SQL Server Management Studio or by using a script. Tasks provided in this topic describe how to create and manage partitions for a deployed model.
This topic includes the following tasks:
To create a new partition
To copy a partition
To merge two or more partitions
To delete a partition
Tasks
To create and manage partitions for a deployed tabular model database, you will use the Partitions dialog box in SQL Server Management Studio. To view the Partitions dialog box, in SQL Server Management Studio, right-click on a table, and then click Partitions.
To create a new partition
In the Partitions dialog box, click the New button.
In Partition Name, type a name for the partition. By default, the name of the default partition will be incrementally numbered for each new partition.
In SQL Statement, type or paste a SQL query statement that defines the columns and any clauses you want to include in the partition into the query window.
To validate the statement, click Check Syntax.
To copy a partition
In the Partitions dialog box, in the Partitions list, select the partition you want to copy, and then click the Copy button.
In Partition Name, type a new name for the partition.
In SQL Statement, edit the SQL query statement.
To merge two or more partitions
- In the Partitions dialog box, in the Partitions list, use Ctrl+click to select the partitions you want to merge, and then click the Merge button.
Important
Merging partitions does not update the partition metadata. Administrators must alter the SQL Statement for the resulting partition to make sure processing operations process all data in the merged partition.
To delete a partition
- In the Partitions dialog box, in the Partitions list, select the partition you want to delete, and then click the Delete button.