MicroStrategy ONE

Database instance selection

A database instance is an object that MicroStrategy uses to connect to a data source such as a relational database. You must create a database instance for your data source before MicroStrategy products can access the information stored in it.

To make a database instance available for Freeform SQL

  1. In MicroStrategy Developer, right-click a project and select Project Configuration. The Project Configuration dialog box opens.

  2. Expand Database instances and select SQL Data warehouses.

  3. Select the check boxes for the database instances that should be available for use with Freeform SQL.

For any Freeform SQL report that you create, you must indicate which data source the SQL will run against. You select the database instance in the Database Instance drop-down list in the Freeform SQL Editor.

All database instances that have been defined for Freeform SQL reports are loaded automatically into the Database Instances drop-down list. Only relational and operational database instances are displayed. Relational and operational database instances in MicroStrategy connect to any data source other than MDX cube sources such as SAP BW, Microsoft Analysis Services, Hyperion Essbase, or IBM Cognos TM1. Examples of relational and operational data sources are relational databases, excel files, and text files.

If there are no database instances listed, you do not have access to any of the database instances. In this case, the following message appears, "You do not have access to any database instance. Please contact your administrator."

To select a database instance in a Freeform SQL report

  1. In MicroStrategy Developer, from the File menu, select New, and then choose Report. The New Grid dialog box opens.

  2. On the Freeform Sources tab, in the Source area, select a database instance for the data source to access using Freeform SQL.

    While database instances commonly point to a relational database, you can also create Freeform SQL reports from database instances connecting to text files or Excel files.

  3. Select one of the following:

    •  Create Freeform SQL report: To create a report using custom SQL statements.

    • Create Freeform XQuery report: To create a report using custom XQuery statements. You can use XQuery statements to retrieve data from a web service.

    • Create Transaction report: To create a Transaction Services report, which can be used to update data in your various data sources. This option is not available for Intelligent Cubes. For steps to create a Transaction Services report, see the Advanced Reporting Help.

  4.  Click OK. The Freeform SQL Editor opens.