Tools for Azure Analysis Services
This document provides an overview of the various tools available for developing, managing, and interacting with Azure Analysis Services.
Development Tools
SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) for Visual Studio
SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) is a development environment within Visual Studio that enables you to build and manage Analysis Services models. It provides a rich set of features for designing tabular and multidimensional models, writing DAX and MDX queries, and deploying your solutions to Azure Analysis Services.
Learn More about SSDTAzure Data Studio
Azure Data Studio is a cross-platform database tool that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It's a modern editor with built-in extensions for various database services, including Azure Analysis Services. You can use it for running queries, exploring data, and managing your Azure Analysis Services instance.
Get Azure Data StudioVisual Studio Code with Extensions
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) offers a lightweight yet powerful development experience. With the right extensions, such as the "SQL Server Analysis Services" extension, you can write and execute DAX queries, work with tabular models, and even deploy solutions.
Explore VS Code ExtensionsManagement and Querying Tools
Azure Portal
The Azure portal is your central hub for managing all your Azure resources, including Azure Analysis Services. You can create, configure, monitor, and manage your servers directly from the portal. It also provides access to model management features.
Go to Azure PortalSQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
While primarily used for SQL Server, SSMS can also connect to Azure Analysis Services instances. It's an essential tool for server administration, monitoring performance, and executing T-SQL scripts for management tasks. You can also use it for querying models with DAX or MDX.
Download SSMSDAX Studio
DAX Studio is a free, open-source external tool for the Microsoft Analysis Services engine. It's an indispensable tool for anyone working with DAX, offering features like DAX query writing, execution, formatting, performance analysis, and metadata inspection.
Visit DAX StudioTabular Editor
Tabular Editor is a powerful tool for editing tabular data models for Analysis Services and Power BI. It provides a TOM-based editor that allows for advanced scripting, schema comparison, and version control integration, making model development and maintenance much more efficient.
Discover Tabular EditorProgrammatic Access
You can also interact with Azure Analysis Services programmatically using various SDKs and APIs:
- Analysis Services Management Objects (AMO): A .NET library for managing Analysis Services objects.
- Analysis Services Client Libraries: Libraries for querying and interacting with Analysis Services models (e.g., using DAX or MDX).
- REST APIs: For performing administrative and operational tasks.