Create and Manage KPIs (SSAS Tabular)

Article
04/01/2012

This topic describes how to create, edit, or delete a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) in a tabular model. To create a KPI, you will use the measure grid for a table to select a measure that evaluates to the KPI’s Base value. You will then use the Key Performance Indicator dialog box to select a second measure or an absolute value that evaluates to a target value, and then define status thresholds that measure the performance between the Base and Target measures.

This topic includes the following tasks:

To create a KPI
To edit a KPI
To delete a KPI and the base measure
To delete a KPI, but keep the base measure

Tasks

Important

Before creating a KPI, you must first create a Base measure that evaluates to value. You will then extend the Base measure to a KPI. How to create measures are described in another topic, Create and Manage Measures (SSAS Tabular). A KPI also requires a target value. This value can be from another pre-defined measure or an absolute value. Once you have extended a Base measure to a KPI, you can then select the target value and define status thresholds in the Key Performance Indicator dialog box.

To create a KPI

In SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), in the model designer, in Data View, click the table that has the measure that will serve as the Base measure. If you have not already created a Base measure, see Create and Manage Measures (SSAS Tabular).
Click on the Table menu, and then click Show Measure Grid.

The measure grid appears beneath the table in which you are currently in.
In the measure grid, click the measure that will serve as the Base measure (value).
In Define target value, select from one of the following:

Select Measure, and then select a target measure from the listbox.

Select Absolute value, and then type a numerical value.
In Define status thresholds, click and slide the low and high threshold values.
In Select icon style, click an image type.
Click on Descriptions, and then type descriptions for KPI, Value, Status, and Target.

Tip

You can use the Analyze in Excel feature to test your KPI. For more information, see Analyze in Excel (SSAS Tabular).

To edit a KPI

In the measure grid, right-click the measure that serves as the Base measure (value) of the KPI, and then click Edit KPI Settings.

To delete a KPI and the base measure

In the measure grid, right-click the measure that serves as the Base measure (value) of the KPI, and then click Delete.

To delete a KPI, but keep the base measure

In the measure grid, right-click the measure that serves as the Base measure (value) of the KPI, and then click Delete KPI.

ALT Shortcuts

UI section	Key command
KPI base measure	ALT+B
KPI Status	ALT+S
Measure	ALT+M
Absolute value	ALT+A
Define status thresholds	ALT+U
Select icon style	ALT+I
Trend	ALT+T
Descriptions	ALT+D
Trend	ALT+T

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