MicroStrategy ONE

Importing Data from Different Data Sources

You can use MicroStrategy Web to import data from data sources, such as an Excel file, a table in a database, a Freeform SQL query, or a Salesforce.com report, into MicroStrategy metadata with minimum project design requirements.

You can import the data directly into a dashboard or a document, or import the data into the project. You can link the data to define attributes and metrics, and save it as an Intelligent Cube. An Intelligent Cube is a multi-dimensional cube (set of data) that allows you to use OLAP Services features on reports, as well as share sets of data among multiple reports. For information on Intelligent Cubes and the OLAP Services features that they support, see the Merging Intelligent Cubes section in the In-memory Analytics Help.

If you import data into a dashboard or a document, the imported data can be used immediately in the dashboard or the document. You can use the Intelligent Cube from the data import process, whether imported into a dashboard, document, or project, to create:

  • A report that runs against the Intelligent Cube.
  • A document that uses the Intelligent Cube as a dataset. A document is used to format data from multiple datasets in a single display of presentation quality. The dataset is a set of data that can be displayed on the document. In this case, the dataset is a MicroStrategy Intelligent Cube. For general information on working with documents, see the Document and Dashboard Analysis Guide; for general information on creating documents, see the Document Creation Help.

    You can also merge multiple Intelligent Cubes to form a new dataset. For instructions, see the Merging Intelligent Cubes section in the In-memory Analytics Help.

  • A dashboard using the imported data. A dashboard is a visually-striking, interactive display that takes a minimal amount of time to set up and use. You can add text, interactive data visualizations, data filtering, and multiple layers of organization to your dashboard, then take advantage of Visual Insight's formatting options to customize your display. For background information on dashboards, see the MicroStrategy Web Help.

Some common uses for importing data include:

  • Combining and analyzing personalized data with your project data
  • Quickly integrating data into MicroStrategy as part of a proof-of-concept
  • Importing and reporting on personalized data from various data sources
  • Immediately building reports, documents, and dashboards without having to "model" the data source
  • Modifying the data in your data source, then republishing the Intelligent Cube to quickly update the data in your reports, documents, and dashboards
  • Merging two Intelligent Cubes to form a new dataset.

You can import data from the following data sources:

  • A BI tool, including SAP Business Objects Universe (BO), Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE), and IBM Cognos Framework Manager
  • Custom data, by typing values or copying them from a file
  • A database by picking relational tables, building a SQL query, or typing a custom query
  • A file in a folder, URL, or file URI schema
  • A file stored on Dropbox
  • Google Analytics
  • Google BigQuery
  • Google Drive
  • Hadoop
  • A MicroStrategy sample file
  • An OLAP source, including Microsoft Analysis Services, Cognos TM1, SAP BW, and Essbase
  • A Salesforce report
  • A search
  • Twitter
  • Importing data by scraping a web page (public data)

For steps to import data, as well as steps to link the imported data to project attributes, see the MicroStrategy Web Help.

You can add multiple datasets to a single dashboard or document, including datasets from the Import Data process and project datasets. For more information on including supplemental data in a project using the Data Import feature, see the Creating and Configuring a Project chapter in the Project Design Help. For more information on creating dashboards with multiple datasets, see the MicroStrategy Web Help. For more information on creating documents with multiple datasets, see the Document Creation Help.

You can manage Intelligent Cubes using the Intelligent Cube Monitor, which provides usage statistics and other information about Intelligent Cubes. For an introduction to the Intelligent Cube Monitor, as well as steps to improve performance, see the Managing Intelligent Cubes chapter of the System Administration Help.