Changing SQL Server DB from tabular to multidimensional

Question

I have following problem: When I try to deploy my SSAS project (with cube, dimensions and all that jazz) to sql-server, it throws error saying that

You cannot deploy the model because the DB deployment server is not running in multidimensional mode.

I'm new to this, so it might be a dumb question, but how do I change database mode from tabular to multidimensional?

Solution 1

Tabular and Multi Dimensional are completely different thing. When you install SQL Server, you have to choose which one you are going to install.

So, if you create a Tabular model, you only can deploy it to Tabular installation of SSAS and the same for Multi Dimensional

you can not convert those model to each other.

Solution 2

It is possible to stop SSAS, edit the msmdsrv.ini and change DeploymentMode from 2 to 0. Empty the DataDir folder. Then start SSAS. This will change the instance from Tabular mode to Multidimensional mode. It will not convert models.

Cathy Dumas describes the reverse here.

Solution 3

Best recommendation is to reinstall only SQL Server Analysis Services feature without disrupting other features/components like SQL Server Engine. During reinstallation of the feature we can change the configuration of Analysis Services to Multidimensional and Data Mining Mode. The whole reinstall process takes less than 10 minutes. So, this approach is easy and quick.

I'm enlisting all the steps for SQL Server 2017 installation:

1. Go to Add Remove Program (ARP) Window in control panel. Select the row for Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (64-bit) and click on Uninstall/Change

2. It'll open the SQL Server 2017 change wizard as shown in the screenshot below:

   

3. Click on Remove link

4. Select Analysis Services for removal:

   

5. Complete remove action by following the wizard.

6. Restart from step 1 but this time click on Add link to start installation wizard.

7. During feature addition it'll ask for the location of SQL Server setup files (which can be in your hard disk, CD, or a mounted virtual drive)

8. Reinstall SQL Server Analysis Services feature. On the Analysis Services Configuration step, go to Server Configuration tab and select Multi-dimensional and Data Mining Mode as shown in the screenshot below:

   

9. Click Next > and complete the wizard.

Solution 4

All you have to do it go edit the MSMDSRV.ini and change the deployment mode to either (0,1,2,3) depending on what you are trying to use. Also remember that you have to log off the SQL studio and log back in.

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Comments

[Tab Alleman]

I think you mean SSAS, and not SSIS.

[Krzysztof Piszko]

This is highly probable, as I've written, I'm really new to this. Going to edit tag.

[GregGalloway]

Are you trying to change the mode of the server or change the mode of your project?

[GregGalloway]

While it is recommended you reinstall I will post a way to do this as an alternate answer.

[FLICKER]

Good to know, but the model still will not convert. Generally, it is better to install another instance of SSAS to have both tabulat and MUD. It is pretty like installing 2 instance of SQL Server in one machine.

[FLICKER]

I'm not the OP. I answered the question. OP has a tabular model and looks like he was trying to deploy that to Multi Dimensional server.