Microsoft Data ExplorerToward Data Craftsmanship@LynnLangit

April 2012 for SQL PASS Virtual BI Chapter

What we’ll cover

What is Data Explorer

Why use Data Explorer

How to get Data Explorer

How to create a Mashup

How to work with Mashups

What and Why of Data Explorer

• Lightweight ETL tool to create data Mashups• Designed to be used by subject matter experts• Local (desktop) –or- Cloud-hosted

Discover Enrich Publish

How do I get Data Explorer?

• Download and use the Desktop Client – here• Use the cloud-based service – request here

DemoGetting Data Explorer

Cloud-interface

Mashup Creation Process

Select Data Source Type & Connect

View Data from Data Source

Manipulate Data

(Optional) add other Data Sources and Data

Combine (join) data

Manipulate Data

Publish Mashup

Getting started• Create a named Mashup• Pick Data Sources to connect to…

DemoConnecting to Data Sources with Data Explorer

About connecting to Data Sources• From SharePoint Online - here• from Windows Azure Data Market - here

Connecting vis Importing Data

• Simple to complex…

Working with the samples

Working with your Data• Edit or Show Statistics

DemoManipulating Datawith Data Explorer

More Data Editing Tools• Smart editing tools• Context-sensitive• Operations– Merge (Join)

• Multiple data sources

– Lookup– De-duplicate

Merging Data Sources

Data Explorer Function Language• Right click on sheet tab

(bottom) > ‘View Formulas’

• Specifications available• Language (Library)• Formulas

Working with the Mashup Results

• Arrange -> by folder, user, date or source• Use -> edit, make a copy or ‘extend’ (live copy)• More -> import or ‘make snapshot’ (stored copy)• Save -> Publish

DemoPublishing / Consuming Mashups with Data Explorer

Publishing Mashups (From Cloud only)

Creating snapshots

Consuming Mashups

• From Excel• From PowerPivot• As Authenticated Feeds in Visual Studio – here– All tables must have PKs– Feed must be set to unauthenticated access– Data types must be compatible with VS

Learn More

• Data Explorer – team blog – here• ‘How-to’ videos – here• My blog on DE - here

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