This document provides an overview of creating a tabular model in Visual Studio using Excel data sources that can then be used as a data source in Necto. The key steps covered are: - Creating a new tabular model project in Visual Studio SQL Server Data Tools - Importing Excel files as data sources and defining relationships between tables - Creating measures and hierarchies for slicing data - Customizing the model by hiding unnecessary columns - Deploying the completed model for use in Necto

1. Necto 16 Training
Visual Studio modeling (Excel files)

2. Objectives
By the end of this lesson you will be able to describe:
• Basic aspects of Visual Studio Modeling which can be used as a Necto data
source

3. Requirements
In order to create a Tabular Model you require:
• Microsoft SQL, an edition that includes Tabular Modeling
• SQL Server Data Tools in Visual Studio 2015
• Currently this can be downloaded and installed from here
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/mt186501
• Install this on a client machine to create the models remotely on the SQL server.

4. Model Development Flow
• Create Data Sources and Load tables
• Create the connection between the Tables
• Define Measures
• Customize your Model – i.e. Hide or delete unnecessary Columns
• Deploy the Model (Use the “Publish” icon)
• Optional:
• Automate the Model (Define Partition Mechanism and Processing)
• Define Security

5. Creating a New Tabular Model Project
• Open SQL Server Data Tools 2015
• Open File -> New -> Project

6. Creating a New Tabular Model Project
• SSDT will now try to validate
your Tabular instance and set
the correct compatibility
mode, take advantage of this
and manually it is harder to
find and do.
• Once the connection is
established click ‘OK’

7. Create a Data Source
• To add data click or
select ‘Model -> Import
from data source…’
• Excel is a choice here and
for ease of use this is the
option chosen.

8. Create a Data Source (continued)
• Choose a name and
select the path of the
Excel file
• Test the connectivity and
use the first for headers if
that is the setup of the
file.
• Select the impersonation
information in the next
step.

9. Create a Data Source (continued)
• Select the Sheet(s) to use,
select a friendly name for
the imported table if
required.
• You can preview and or
filter if required, when
you are satisfied, click
Finish.

10. Create connections between the tables
• I imported 2 tables one
fact and the other a
dimensions for this
module
• In the bottom left of
this screen you can
move between tabular
and design display
types
• Drag City to City to join
them with a 1:n
relationship

11. Create a new Hierarchy
• Select State and City in
the Geo table and
select ‘Create
Hierarchy …’
• The Hierarchy can be
used to slice the fact
table in Necto

12. Define Measures
• In Tabular display
mode, you can select a
column header and
press on the button
to create an auto sum
measure.
• The Measures appear
in the lower window
• If you want to add a
new column this is
called a calculated
column

13. Customize the Model
• Select the column City
and right click, then
Hide from Client Tools
• The City will not be
seen in Necto as it was
not needed because
the Geography
hierarchy can be used

14. Deploy Model
• Once all of your
modifications are
complete you can
Deploy the model
• Deploy with Build,
Deploy and Process
the model
• Now you can find the
model through Necto.

15. Thank you, any questions?