If you want to understand the fundamentals of MDX in less than 3 hours - this article can be helpful. I came to the conclusion that the best way of learning are video tutorials. 143 minutes of watching and 5 minutes of reading. Let's get started.

Some information about MDX

MDX (MultiDimensional Expressions) is a query language for OLAP databases and it's designed to provide a effective way of querying multidimensional data. MDX is used to interact with data in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) cubes. Business’s data analysis provide valuable insight into its operations and new opportunities can be identified.

MDX commands are designed specifically to retrieve data as multidimensional data structures and can process one, two, three, or more dimensions in queries. MDX expressions are composed of values, statements, functions, identifiers and operators that SSAS can evaluate to retrieve scalar value (number, string) or an object (member, set).

Level 1: Creating database and OLAP cube

To work with MDX queries, we need to create a SQL Server database and an OLAP cube in SQL Server Analysis Services. You can watch this step here:

or if you prefer the short version:

Level 2: MDX Introduction

We already have an OLAP cube, so let's start creating the first queries in the MDX language.

Level 3: Working with Sets

MDX is created to work with data sets. Below are some practical examples:

Level 4: Expressions

Let's dive into some expressions:

Level 5: Functions

A bit of knowledge about functions will also be useful:

Level 6: Aggregations

Working with aggregations, hierarchies and time is essential when it comes to MDX and OLAP analysis:

Level 7: Hierarchies

If you survived the aggregation lesson, it's time for the hierarchies

Level 8: Time

The last step of this course is a few minutes about time.