Import objects from SSAS to Business Intelligence Development Studio

Hi all,

Could anyone tell me how I can use Business Intelligence Development Studio to browse or even modify data source views, cubes, etc. on SSAS created by means other than the Studio?

Thanks,

hz

Two ways:

1. BI Dev Studio online mode:
Start BI Dev Studio . File->Open->Analysis Services Database.

2. Create new project based on the live version of the database.
Start BI Dev Studio . File->New Project and choose project type "Import Analysis Services 9.0 Database"

Edward.
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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

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Hi Edward, your answer is very helpful. Thanks a lot!

If you don't mind, I have one more question regarding this.

If I modify the objects of SSAS by means other than BI Studio. Can BI studio detect these changes and modify its projects accordingly. This is a sort of the reverse process of project deployment.

hz

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Unfortunately the answer is: there is no easy way to compare an existing project to the live version of the database.

This is one of the things the next version of the product could be addressing.

For now there are several workarounds I can think of:

1. Export live version of the database into a new project and then use some sort of XML comparison tool to compare project files. Compare .dim files for dimensions, .cube file for cube definitions

2. Create a script of the live version of the database by using right click->Script Database as ... in the SQL Management studio.
And then compare the script to the script you get by running Deployment Wizard utility for your project.
Again you should be able to use XML compare to compare both scripts.

These are not perfect ways, but should give you some idea for extent of the changes done to your live database.

Hope that helps.
Edward.
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

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Thanks again, Edward! You have offered all I need to know regarding this.

I use AMO to create and modify objects such as cubes, data mining structures. Without using BI Studio, it will be very difficult to check whether my code has created what I need. Now, I'll just import the objects to the studio each time I want to check them.

hz