Add Tables to Azure Analysis Services

Adding Tables to your Azure Analysis Services Model

This guide will walk you through the process of adding new tables to an existing Azure Analysis Services tabular model using Visual Studio.

Prerequisites

An Azure Analysis Services instance deployed.
Visual Studio with the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) installed.
A tabular model project created in Visual Studio.

Steps to Add Tables

1

Open your Tabular Model Project

Launch Visual Studio and open your Azure Analysis Services tabular model project. Ensure the Model Explorer window is visible.

2

Access the Table Import Wizard

In the Model Explorer, right-click on the Tables folder. From the context menu, select Import New Tables.

Image: Screenshot of Model Explorer with 'Tables' folder and 'Import New Tables' context menu

3

Connect to the Data Source

The Table Import Wizard will launch. You'll be presented with a list of existing data sources. If your desired source is already configured, select it and click Next. If not, click New Source.

To add a new data source:

Select the type of data source (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, Azure SQL Database).
Enter the connection details (server name, database name, credentials).
Click Test Connection to verify.
Click OK to add the data source.

Image: Screenshot of the Table Import Wizard - 'Connect to Data Source' page

4

Select Tables and Views

After connecting, the wizard will display a list of tables and views available from your data source. Select the checkboxes next to the tables you wish to import.

You can use the search bar to quickly find specific tables. You can also preview the data for a selected table by clicking the Preview button.

Image: Screenshot of the Table Import Wizard - 'Select Tables and Views' page

5

Import Settings (Optional)

Depending on your data source and selections, you might see options for importing relationships or advanced settings. For most common scenarios, the default settings are sufficient.

Click Finish to begin the import process.

Image: Screenshot of the Table Import Wizard - 'Import Settings' or similar page

6

Review Import Results

The wizard will show the progress of the import. Once completed, a summary of imported tables and any potential issues will be displayed. Click Close.

Your newly added tables will now appear in the Tables folder in Model Explorer.

Image: Screenshot of the Table Import Wizard - 'Import Summary' page

Post-Import Configuration

After importing your tables, you will likely need to perform some post-import configuration:

Create Relationships: Define relationships between the new tables and existing ones in your model to ensure data integrity and enable effective querying.
Add Measures: Create new measures or adapt existing ones to incorporate the data from the newly added tables.
Apply Formatting: Set appropriate data formats for columns in the new tables.
Review Partitioning: If applicable, review and adjust partitioning strategies for large tables.

Important: Always validate your model after adding new tables. Deploy your model to Azure Analysis Services and test your reports to ensure everything functions as expected.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Errors: Verify server names, database names, and credentials. Ensure network connectivity and firewall rules are correctly configured.
Data Type Mismatches: Check for incompatible data types between your source and the model. You may need to adjust column types during or after import.
Performance Issues: For very large tables, consider optimizing the source query, using partitioning, or implementing aggregations.