Microsoft introduced a cool feature in Excel 2007 called Offline OLAP that enables you to work with an Analysis Services Cube in disconnected mode. The Offline OLAP feature basically snapshots a version of the cube into a local cube file which can be used by Pivot Tables.
Some potential scenarios where the offline cube file can be really helpful:
- Proof of concept demos to client can be done using the local cube file without having to worry about the network bandwidth, access and all the dodgy things that usually come with demos.
- Accessing your reports while commuting or in places where internet facility is not available.
- Snapshoting the stable version of cube during development phase especially when certain development activities can potentially bring down the cube.
Creating Offline Cube File
To create the Offline Cube file, click on you Pivot Table and navigate to PivotTableTool>>Options>>OLAP Tools>>Offline OLAP (shown in Figure 1)
Figure 1 - Offline OLAP
A wizard pops up. Click Create Offline Data File button (shown in Figure 2).
- Figure 2 – Create offline data file
The subsequent wizard steps allow you to select the dimension attributes, members, hierarchies, measures and calculated measures. By default the cube members used in the PivotTable is selected. (Figures 3 and 4) .
Figure 3 - Select Dim
Figure 4 -Select Measures and Dim Members
The final step is to save the data to a local cube file (figure 5)
Figure 5 - Local Cube File
Switching to Online mode
To switch from offline to online mode, navigate as before PivotTableTool>>Options>>OLAP Tools>>Offline OLAP and select the On-line OLAP option which is now enabled (figure 6).
Figure 6 - Switch Modes
Editing Offline Cube File
To switch from offline to online mode, navigate as before PivotTableTool>>Options>>OLAP Tools>>Offline OLAP and select the On-line OLAP option and Click Edit offline data file.
Figure 7 - Edit offline data file
Offline OLAP is a really cool feature in certain scenarios. One improvement that I would prefer to see is some kind of visual differentiation to indicate that the PivotTable is in offline mode which is currently not available.
BENNY AUSTIN
October 1, 2009 at 12:48
what a great site and informative posts, I will add a backlink and bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!
December 4, 2009 at 09:50
hi Benny
Your article was a good read.
I had used “CREATE GLOBAL CUBE” command few days ago and was impressed by its simple syntax. It also produces a .cub file on the server and possibly quite useful for automation of producing multiple .cub files restricted by security requirements of dimensions / measures / etc.. although, I haven’t used it that way but just some random thoughts.
cheers
GS