Gary Crawford – XLCubed Blog

Faster Excel Queries For Power BI & Azure Analysis Services

Gary Crawford — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 09:57:30 +0000

If you have slow queries when reporting table format data in Excel from PowerBI.com, Azure Analysis Services or Tabular SSAS, this could be just the performance boost you need. Excel Pivot Tables query Power BI and Analysis Services using MDX, and sometimes the MDX they generate is not ideal. XLCubed Grids also query using MDX, […]

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Lessons from IBCS – Scenario Handling

Gary Crawford — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 09:20:19 +0000

In the previous blog, we looked at how consistency is important throughout a set of reports and dashboards. It helps users to understand the reports quickly and easily. Another important aspect to maintain is scenario handling; this forms the UNIFY part of IBCS’ SUCCESS formula. Scenarios are used to represent different types of business data […]

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Lessons from IBCS – Eliminating Chart Clutter

Gary Crawford — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 08:11:39 +0000

The core job of a chart is to convey information to the viewer as clearly, concisely, and quickly as possible. One thing that can detract from this is chart clutter – distracting or unnecessary additional elements which can mask the overall message. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” Leonardo da Vinci Edward Tufte coined the term […]

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XLCubed and IBCS

Gary Crawford — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 07:40:02 +0000

In the last few months we have significantly extended the charting elements within XLCubed. We wanted to get the product formally certified by IBCS, and I’m delighted to say we achieved that in early June. We’ve been aware of IBCS for several years now through some of our customers and partners, but it was really […]

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Monitoring Data Comments

Gary Crawford — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:03:56 +0000

Many BI and reporting tools now allow users to collaborate directly with a report. This avoids the cumbersome backwards and forwards of email chains or the need to meet in person. As useful as this is, some organisations have concerns about the ability to monitor comments made. We will discuss this aspect in more depth […]

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Data Mashups 101

Gary Crawford — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 09:25:37 +0000

In an ideal world for report designers, all the data required for a report is available in one data source, and the structure and hierarchies perfectly match the reporting needs. Sadly, the world isn’t always ideal (just ask Theresa May…). We often see scenarios where users are reporting numerical data from Analysis Services but want […]

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