Stairway to MDX

Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) is a standard query language, derived from SQL but geared specifically for OLAP databases. It also includes a calculation language, with syntax similar to spreadsheet formulas. It is an important skill for PowerPivot. Bill's new series for MDX starts right at the very beginning and takes us through all the basic functions of MDX, with plenty of practical examples.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 1: Getting Started with MDX

  To learn MDX, there is really no alternative to installing the system and trying out the statements, and experimenting. William Pearson, the well-known expert on MDX, kicks off a stairway series on this important topic by getting you running from a standing start.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 2: The Ordinal Function

  Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson introduces the MDX Ordinal Function, as a means for generating lists and for conditionally presenting calculations. He also demonstrates the use of the function in creating datasets to support report parameter picklists.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 3: The Order() Function

  The Order() function provides the 'hierarchized' sorts you need for reports and applications using MDX. In this Step, Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson explores using the versatile Order() function for providing dataset sorts that respect dimensional hierarchies.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 4: The Order() Function: Beyond Cube Hierarchies

  Bill Pearson continues his examination of the versatile Order() function, focusing upon its use in providing dataset sorts that reach beyond dimensional hierarchies

• Stairway to MDX - Level 5: Members, and an Introduction to the MDX Members Functions

  Bill explains what is meant by a 'Member' and 'Member function' in MDX. A member is an item in a dimension that include the 'measures' which are the values of the attributes that belong to a dimension. 'Measures' are themselves members of a dimension called the “measures” dimension. MDX has a set of functions, known as member functions, each of which allow us to perform operations upon any member of a dimension

• Stairway to MDX - Level 6: Member “Family” Functions: .Parent and .Children

  Some of the most important 'Member' functions of MDX are often known as the 'Family Functions'. These are used in queries on multidimensional structures for analysis and reporting, and can refer to relative nodes in the hierarchy in much the same way as in a family tree.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 7: Member "Family" Functions: Ancestor() and .FirstChild

  BI Architect Bill Pearson continues his introduction to the MDX Members functions. In this Level we continue our exploration of the general “family” group, with the Ancestor() and .FirstChild functions.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 8: Member “Family” Functions: .LastChild and .FirstSibling

  BI Architect Bill Pearson continues his introduction to the MDX Members functions. In this Level we continue our exploration of the general “family” group with the .LastChild and .FirstSibling functions.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 9: Member “Family” Functions: .LastSibling and Cousin()

  BI Architect Bill Pearson concludes his introduction to the MDX Members functions. In this Level we wrap up our exploration of the “family” group with the .LastSibling, and Cousin() functions.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 10: “Relative” Member Functions: .CurrentMember, .PrevMember, and .NextMember

  SSAS Maestro, SQL Server MVP and Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson introduces three “major players” within the MDX “relative” functions. These basic, but highly employed, functions include the .CurrentMember, .PrevMember and .NextMember functions.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 11: MDX Time/Date Series Functions: PeriodsToDate() and Derivative Shortcut Functions

  BI Architect Bill Pearson launches a set of articles surrounding a group of MDX functions specialized to meet the pervasive business need to analyze data within the context of time / date. In this article, we will overview the PeriodsToDate() function, and then we will introduce "shortcut" functions that are based upon it.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 12: : MDX Time/Date Series Functions: OpeningPeriod() and ClosingPeriod() Functions

  BI Architect Bill Pearson continues with the second of a set of articles surrounding a group of MDX functions specialized to support the analysis of data within the context of time / date. In this article, we will explore the OpeningPeriod() and ClosingPeriod() functions, and get hands-on practice with each in meeting sample business requirements.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 13: MDX Time/Date Series Functions: LastPeriods() and ParallelPeriod() Functions

  BI Architect Bill Pearson continues with the third of a subseries surrounding a group of MDX functions we can use to support analysis and reporting in a time / date context. In this Level, we will explore the LastPeriods() and ParallelPeriod() functions, and get hands-on practice with each in meeting sample business requirements.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 14: Basic Set Functions: The Head() Function

  SSAS Maestro, SQL Server MVP and Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson introduces the MDX Head() function, which allows us to return, in order, a specified number of elements within a set.

• Stairway to MDX - Level 15: Basic Set Functions: The Tail() Function

  Return, in order, a specified number of elements from the end of a set. SSAS Maestro, SQL Server MVP and Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson introduces the MDX Tail() function.