Some thoughts of your typical data shepherd / data plumber / data dance teacher sort of person.
Yes l could well be dyslexic deal with it ;-)
So first l created a variable in the query window see figure 1.
Now you have a card with dynamic title, if you want to change the client name all you have to do is change the text in the variable. A sample PowerBI report file can be downloaded here which contains the report shown above.
In the previous post (see here) l set up the blank datasets as parameters storing the values of the database server and name. Whilst attempting to create a suitable dataset to a report for an internal customer, l was frustrated that l could not do it using Power Query. Yet on the other hand l know that l could write some TSQL that would give me the dataset l wanted very easily. So l wondered if this was possible to combine the two? So lets return to the SQL.Database function which has this very nice example Sql.Database("localhost", "Northwind", [Query= select * from Customers]) The last setting is "Query as text - Provide a query text that is run on the server to return values". It's almost like someone thought it would be a good idea to allow a user to run a SQL query. A few minutes later l had the query l wanted to run and it looked something like this -:
DECLARE @IssueType AS VARCHAR(10) = 'Problem'; DECLARE @ClientName AS NVARCHAR(100) = 'RainbowPainters'; SELECT DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) AS Month_Number ,DATENAME(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) AS Month_Name ,DATENAME(YEAR, [Issue_Created]) AS Year_Name ,COUNT(DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created])) AS Total FROM [dbo].[IssueData] AS ID WHERE [Issue_type_name] = @IssueType AND [ClientName] = @ClientName GROUP BY DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) ,DATENAME(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) ,DATENAME(YEAR, [Issue_Created]); Next when back to the dataset opened the 'Advanced Editor' and added the query, you can it in Figure 1 below Figure 1 - Advanced Editor window with the new query in place
To make it a bit easier to read below is the actual text from the 'Advanced Editor' window above. All that has been added is the text in red,and the query text which is in italics
letSource = Sql.Database(DatabaseServer, DatabaseName ,[Query = "DECLARE @IssueType AS VARCHAR(10) = 'Problem'; DECLARE @ClientName AS NVARCHAR(100) = 'RainbowPainters'; SELECT DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) AS Month_Number ,DATENAME(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) AS Month_Name ,DATENAME(YEAR, [Issue_Created]) AS Year_Name ,COUNT(DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created])) AS Total FROM [dbo].[IssueData] AS ID WHERE [Issue_type_name] = @IssueType AND [ClientName] = @ClientName GROUP BY DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) ,DATENAME(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) ,DATENAME(YEAR, [Issue_Created]);" ]) in Source
When l refreshed the dataset, the data appeared :-) Job done? No, as often happens one client gets something and then everybody wants why they have. So l was asked if we could create the same set of reports for another customer. There was two choices at this point, l could just change the hard code client name, or could l parameterise the client name. Having heard this before l knew about passing parameters from excel to filter datasets see the following posts. https://blog.oraylis.de/2013/05/using-dynamic-parameter-values-in-power-query-queries/ http://blog.crossjoin.co.uk/2015/11/24/using-parameter-tables-to-control-data-refresh-in-power-bi/ Having looked at the blog posts which declare and then used parameters this looked like a simple concept. Kudos to the Power BI team for that. First step was to add additional dataset as a parameter. So l now had three dataset as parameters, the latest one being 'ClientName', which stores the client name
Figure 2 - List of datasets containing parameters So having looked at the blog posts above l realised that l just need to declare a query which would hold the query text and pass in the Client Name parameter to the query text. Following some trial and error, l ended up with the query text below let pQuery = "DECLARE @IssueType AS VARCHAR(10) = 'Problem'; DECLARE @ClientName AS NVARCHAR(100) = '" & ClientName & "'; SELECT DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) AS Month_Number ,DATENAME(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) AS Month_Name ,DATENAME(YEAR, [Issue_Created]) AS Year_Name ,COUNT(DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created])) AS Total FROM [dbo].[IssueData] AS ID WHERE [Issue_type_name] = @IssueType AND [ClientName] = @ClientName GROUP BY DATEPART(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) ,DATENAME(MONTH, [Issue_Created]) ,DATENAME(YEAR, [Issue_Created]);", Source = Sql.Database(DatabaseServer, DatabaseName,[Query=pQuery]) in Source
Figure 3 - showing the query text in the Advanced Editor Window Much to my delight this syntax works as expected. So l can now have a way that it is possible to specific parameters which can be passed to SQL server. From reading about M (Power Query Formula Language) there's more to learn. For the moment l am happy with the new found knowledge, whilst l play with some of the other technologies offered by PowerBI. The only downside is this only works in PowerBI Desktop :-(
One of the attractions of being a programmer was that l could find ways to make routine tasks easier and quicker. As our company and clients have discovered the joy of Power BI also the reports l have created. There are more clients are asking for reports. Some of these are the same reports to ensure everyone has the same view of their data. Scenario There are two databases l populate with data, one of these is on my machine, the other is an Azure database. As you would expect l use the local copy to test out various changes to the database. Then using the Redgate tool SQL Compare l can script any changes and apply them to the Azure database. It is possible to change the data source for each dataset easily using the following method. From the main window, on the 'Home' tab click once on the 'Edit Queries' button see Figure 1 Figure 1 - showing the location of the 'Edit Queries' button
This will open the 'Edit Queries' window now to see where the data source for a selected dataset. First select a dataset in the example shown in Figure 2, it is 'DimDate'. Next click on the 'Advanced Editor' button see figure 2.
Figure 2 - Showing location of 'Advanced Editor' button When the Advanced Editor window opens it will look something like the one shown in Figure 3 below. Figure 3 - Advanced Editor window, with M (Power Query Formula Language) query showing the Database Server Name and Database Name The syntax of the statement is relatively simple. In this case we are looking at the Sql.Database data function, the syntax is simple and looks like this -: Source = Sql.Database( "Name of Database Server", "Name Of Database") This is the text shown in Figure 3 let Source = Sql.Database("localhost", "DBdata"), dbo_DimDate = Source{[Schema="dbo",Item="DimDate"]}[Data] in dbo_DimDate
To change the data source to point at the Azure database the only changes that have to made are as follows
let Source = Sql.Database("AzureDatabase", "DBdata"), dbo_DimDate = Source{[Schema="dbo",Item="DimDate"]}[Data] in dbo_DimDate Job done. This was nice until you have to do it several times, and personally I got bored then wondered if there was a better way? I am glad you asked if there is a better way let me show you. Having seen some examples where the data source was an excel spreadsheet l was aware that it was possible to supply parameters to change the data source. From one spreadsheet to another one. The first step is to set up the parameters. Open the Query Editor window, click on the 'New Sources' button from the list click on 'Blank Query' (see Figure 4)
Having set up the DatabaseServer dataset (parameter value), repeat the process and create a DatabaseName dataset (parameter value). Figure 6 shows what you query editor window would look like if you entered the same details shown in this example.
* DatabaseServer - containing the value 'AzureDatabase' or the name of the database server you are going to connect to. * DatabaseName - containing the value 'DBData' or the name of the database you are going to connect to.
If we look at the advanced properties of the dataset 'DimDate' the data source would look like the one shown below. let Source = Sql.Database("AzureDatabase", "DBdata"), dbo_DimDate = Source{[Schema="dbo",Item="DimDate"]}[Data] in dbo_DimDate Next step is to replace the database server name and database name with the names of the Datasets that have just been set up. So the data source will look like the one below. let Source = Sql.Database(DatabaseServer, DatabaseName), dbo_DimDate = Source{[Schema="dbo",Item="DimDate"]}[Data] in dbo_DimDate
The advanced query window should look like the one show in figure 7 below. When the data source is queried the values of 'DatabaseServer' and 'DatabaseName' are replaced by the values from the relevant dataset. In this PowerBI desktop report l just replaced all the hard coded instances of the database server name and database name with the relevant parameter. Which allows me to switch between two databases with the ease l wanted, only with PowerBI desktop :-( Figure 7 - Showing the final M (Power Query Formula Language) text (data source) If you click on this link you can download a copy of a .PBIX with the two dataset's shown above. There is more you can do with this you will need to wait till part two of this blog post for more details.
Figure 3 - Second data source settings window Now you can get the details eg Username and password used to connect to the data source are stored. If these are required. Figure 4 - Data source credentials window So we now have the follow credentials Username = [email protected] Password = JoeB123 N.B. We will be using these details later. Tip if using multiple accounts with PowerBI online Next step would be to publish your reports to the PowerBI service at PowerBI.com. If you have multiple accounts which you use to publish your reports to a PowerBI service. Then one tip is log out of the account and log back in as there is nothing in the PowerBI desktop application which indicates which account is logged in. Adding credentials in PowerBI Service (Aka PowerBi.com) One quick tip here is to open PowerBi.com using Internet Explorer. At the time of writing process shown next did not reliability render in other browsers. Log into PowerBI.com once successfully log in, go to the top right hand side of the window. Click with left hand mouse button the settings icon, from the menu click on the 'Settings' menu item.
Once the 'Settings' window opens click on the 'Datasets' tab Once in 'Settings->Datasets' click once with left hand mouse button on the triangle to the left of 'Data source credentials' Once the 'Data source credentials' have been expanded click on the 'Edit credential' link. Once the credentials configuration window opens the drop down box below the authentication method select the 'Basic' authentication method. When you select the 'Basic' Authentication method, text boxes will appear at the bottom of the form. Enter the username and password, then click on the 'Sign In' button. If the user name and password has been successful then you will see a message appear in the top right hand corner of the PowerBi window, indicating the data source has been successfully updated.
Whilst preparing a simple dataset to with a stacked bar chart in PowerBI l included both the month number and name. The dataset is shown below
The data set was created in PowerBI desktop, the next step was to plot the data on a clustered column chart. The month name was the value l wanted to appear on the axis, there was a little challenge with the way data was being displayed. The month names where being displayed in alphabetical order (see Figure 2)
Figure 2 - Power BI chart after placing data on the canvas What l wanted was the month names to be sorted according to month numbers so l knew l had missed something. First step was to go to the data tab to have a look at the data. So I licked on the the dataset and selected the 'Modeling' tab (see Figure 3). Figure 3 - Data view 'Modeling' tab selected the 'Month_Name' column selected Everything looked the way l expected then with the 'Month_Name' column selected l clicked on the 'Sort By Column'. This was sorted by 'Month_Name' so it would be sorted alphabetically, so l changed it to sort by the 'Month_Number' see Figure 4.
Figure 4 - The first figure shows the default setting for the 'Month_Name' column, the second figure shows the amended selection to sort the 'Month_Name'Column by the 'Month_Number' column
Then l returned to the report view to review the change see Figure 5
Figure 5 - The clustered bar chart report showing the Month Names sorted in the order of the 'Month_Number' column
Success the months where ordering as l wanted them, next I'm off to resolve my next challenge, of which there is never a shortage.
For various reasons which l have now forgotten, l set up transactional replication for some clients. The result of this is l am the caretaker of transactional replication for two of our clients, what l lucky person l am ! T-SQL code used to check Transaction replication Once l got the process up and running (a very, very long and stressful story). At that point l realised that I would have to monitor these processes. Following some goggling this article was found with some TSQL written by SQLSoldier here. This worked for me and l used this to monitor replication by running the script and checking the results manually. Nagios output Our SysAdmin uses a tool called nagios to monitor out IT estate. So they suggested that a script could be written to monitor the replication process and send an alert if anything needed to be looked at. This sounded like an excellent idea, how to do it? The approach that was arrived at, involved using a PowerShell script which would run a SQL query examine the results then respond to Nagios, with the following values
Next we decided to use PowerShell to return the results. Following some goggling we found this page http://www.madeiradata.com/cross-server-replication-health-check-using-powershell/ which runs a SQL script and returned a data set. First challenge was the TSQL script from SQLSoldier was rather long for my first powershell script, l wanted some thing smaller. So l created a stored procedure based on the script, and placed it in my Distribution database on the replicated database server. Doing this had a two reasons, first less TSQL in the PowerShell script, second changing one of the parameters meant it returns different amounts of data. The stored procedure takes the following parameters ;
When considering this error message it was primarily to give some guidance as to what might be happening with the replication process. It is not intended to give any guidance on the underlying reason that is causing the issue. All that is required is that the Nagios process shows that there is something wrong. What ever the reason it requires some form of human intervention. Once an error condition has been detected then the issue will be handed to me to resolve. At least now l do not have to check the process periodically, now l just have to wait for a message from our sysadmin.
Since this one caught me out and a few other people it seemed like a good idea to blog about this. Sometime ago the Azure portal got a make over, which l have say make the portal look very pretty. Whilst setting up a proof of concept for PowerBI l thought it was also a good time to look at setting up an Azure SQL database. The last time l did this was in the previous portal. So l duly set up the database, one of the last steps was to allow the IP address from my work organisation access to the database. So l goggled and found this page - https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/documentation/articles/sql-database-configure-firewall-settings/ The Wrong Way Open the new style Azure Portal Click on browse (1) From the list of blades click once on SQL databases (Figure 1) Figure 1 - Opening the SQL databases blade Click on the 'SQL databases' blade this will open a list of the all the SQL databases that are in your account (Figure 2) Figure 2 - List of SQL databases showing area where to click to show settings Clicking on the ellipsis will cause a new menu window to appear (Figure 3) Figure 3 - Clicking on the ellipsis to get the settings link Click once on the settings link this will then open the settings window (Figure 4)
Open the new style Azure Portal Click on browse (1) From the list of blades click once on SQL servers (Figure 5) Figure 5 - Opening the SQL servers blade Click on the SQL Servers blade and this will open a list of all the SQL servers in your account (Figure 6) Figure 6 - List of SQL servers Move the mouse over the row which is the SQL server that require to see the settings for. Click once with left hand mouse button the selected SQL server in Figure 6 this is SQL server 'kjsgbci03i'. This will then open Settings window on the far right hand side (see Figure 7) Figure 7 - Settings page for SQL server Click once on the firewall row and this will open the 'Firewall settings' window (see Figure 8) Figure 8 - Firewall settings window
Final Note Splitting the settings for SQL servers and SQL databases, does make sense, the same logic is used within SSMS. That said in the old style portal, the link to the page for setting allowed IP Addresses is under 'SQL databases' (see Figure 9). Hence why l must have looked at SQL databases blade first. At least that's my excuse and l am sticking to it ;-> Figure 9 - SQL server page with link to Manage allowed IP addresses (Firewall rules) in the old style Auzure portal.
Over the years l have worked with many different people, and observed many people at work. When working in a mechanical garage l was impressed with the range of tools used by the time served mechanic's. When a plumber and electrician come to fit a new kitchen l was always was curious about the range to tools to do different jobs. Today l had a relatively simple task when completing data migration task, which l was doing using SSIS. Most of the work uses TSQL when possible. In this case though l was asked convert the a string value from the source for one specific control on one form to Camel Case. First thought use play to my strengths and use TQL, so quick google, and found this stack overflow posting -> http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5164201/is-there-any-sql-server-built-in-function-to-convert-string-in-camel-case Ok yes it was possible to use TSQL, the phrase that ran through my mind at that point was "when you have a hammer everything looks like a nail". Yes l could create the function and call it from the query etc.... SSIS is the most wonderful toolbox though (pun intended if you notice it). One of them is the script task. Since l only had to convert one control (there is a large number!) why not use some code? Would that be easier? Goggling lead to stack overflow posting -> http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1206019/converting-string-to-title-case-in-c-sharp ( This article filled in the gaps for me https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.globalization.textinfo.totitlecase.aspx)
My code public void Main() { string fieldName = (string)Dts.Variables["User::str_Field_ID"].Value; string stringValue = (string)Dts.Variables["User::str_NNLFP_VALUE_TXT"].Value; if (fieldName == "XYZ014") { TextInfo textInfo = new CultureInfo("en-GB", false).TextInfo; stringValue = textInfo.ToTitleCase(stringValue); Dts.Variables["User::str_NNLFP_VALUE_TXT"].Value = stringValue.ToString(); } Dts.TaskResult = (int)ScriptResults.Success; } Yes it has taken me time and effort to learn C#, that said it's an excellent additional to my toolbox. Yes l could have done the same in TSQL, it would have taken probably taken longer. Right tool for the right job? That l am sure is a matter of opinion and or debate. Speaking personally for this specific project yes l believe so. It has encouraged me to keep adding to my own personal IT toolbox......
Ok long story, short. I downloaded and installed SQL server 2016 CTP3 on Windows 10 Pro X64 Virtual machine which was set up for testing purposes. Yes l know that was a silly idea, what the heck living dangerously is fun sometimes! The OS was a standard install and it's standalone as in not connected to a domain or clever stuff. When propmted to enter a user account, l used a personal Microsoft account l have. Next l installed SQL Server 2016 CTP nothing fancy and choose the native SSRS install (If you just interested in list of steps l followed they are at the bottom of this posting)
Next logged in as the user account that was used during set up, this is Microsoft account. Now l wanted to play with SSRS, so open the default browser (Microsoft Edge) and entered the url “localhost/reportserver” and waited. Next got a dialog box asking me to enter my user credentials
So l entered my Microsoft account details, and eventually ended up with the error message below. Yes l know that I should have remembered, an admin account requires to grant permission on Report Manager to the account you are connecting with “Doh!”. Next step was to see if l could run Microsoft Edge (the default browser) as Administrator, no that was not possible. As can be seen from the screen shot below it was possible to run command prompt as Administrator, which did not make sense, but not Microsoft Edge.
Again Google the rescue and found this page - http://www.virtualizationhowto.com/2015/07/windows-10-edge-opened-builtin-administrator-account/. Followed instructions open Microsoft Edge, restarted Windows was able to run Microsoft Edge as Administrator, "Yippee!!!" Typed in the url “localhost/reportserver”, then eventually got the following error message. During earlier search found this page http://www.windowscentral.com/how-find-internet-explorer-windows-10-if-you-really-need-it. I had tried this before making the change in this page http://www.ghacks.net/2014/11/12/how-to-enable-the-hidden-windows-10-administrator-account/. So entered ‘Internet ‘ into the search box and selected to run Internet Explorer as Administrator. Success !!!!!! (see screenshot below) As the saying goes “ a long way for a short cut”, however it works! So l set about making the relevant changes in report manager, setting up the Microsoft user account l normally log in with as content mgr etc. That all seemed to go as expected. Next switched accounts back to the Microsoft account and thought l will just open Microsoft Edge. Since the account has been set up and l do not need to run it as Administrator. This did not work l got the error message below. So l typed into the search box 'Internet' and Internet Explorer was one of the applications l was able choose to run, the result can be seen below. It worked as expected. Is there an easier way? Then please let me know, this was not the most fun learning journey, and I’m always open to learn. So what steps did l follow? 1) http://www.ghacks.net/2014/11/12/how-to-enable-the-hidden-windows-10-administrator-account/ Used instructions to enable the administrator account and set the password for the Administrator account. Switched accounts from Microsoft account to Administrator account
2) http://www.virtualizationhowto.com/2015/07/windows-10-edge-opened-builtin-administrator-account/ Used these instructions to make relevant change to the security policy 3) http://www.windowscentral.com/how-find-internet-explorer-windows-10-if-you-really-need-it Used these instructions to find Internet Explorer and open using "Run as Administrator" option 4) Open SSRS report manager (running as local administrator), set the relevant permissions for the Microsoft account 5) Switched accounts from Administrator account, to Microsoft account. Searched for Internet Explorer then browsed to "localhost/reports" and was able to see SSRS report manager.