How to: Create an ODC file for a Business Overview Web Part
Important
This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
You can use the Business Overview web part in role centers or Enterprise Portal to display business information such as measures or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). An Office Data Connection (ODC) file is used to identify the Analysis Services database that contains measures and KPIs. You do not need an ODC file if you use measures or KPIs from the default Analysis Services database that ships with Microsoft Dynamics AX because the Business Overview web part will point to the default Analysis Services database. However, if you create additional Analysis Services databases, you must create ODC files to use measures and KPIs from those databases.
Deploying an ODC File
To deploy an ODC file, you must create the ODC file by using the Data Connection Wizard in Microsoft Excel and then add the ODC file to Enterprise Portal.
To create an ODC file
In Excel, click Data > From Other Sources > From Analysis Services. The Data Connection Wizard is displayed.
On the Connect to Database Server page, specify the server that has the Analysis Services database, specify the log on credentials to use for the server, and then click Next.
On the Select Database and Table page, select the Analysis Services database. Clear the Connect to a specific cube or table check box, and then click Next.
On the Save Data Connection File and Finish page, enter a file name and friendly name, and then click Finish. The Import Data wizard is displayed.
Click Properties….
On the Definition tab, verify that the connection string points to the correct Analysis Services database. Click Export Connection File….
Provide a name for the file. For example, Dynamics AX.odc.
Click Save and close Excel.
Note
If you want to use user credentials for authorization, you must add the following line to your ODC file:
<odc:DynamicsConnectionAccount>AppPoolWithEffectiveUserName</odc:DynamicsConnectionAccount>
To add the ODC file to Enterprise Portal
Open Enterprise Portal. Be sure that you are accessing the main Enterprise Portal site. From the Site Actions menu, click New Document Library.
In the Name field, enter Data Connections.
In the Navigation and Document Version History sections, select No.
In the Document Template section, select None. Click Create.
Click Add document.
Click Browse and locate the ODC file that you created. For example, ..\Documents\My Data Sources\Dynamics AX.odc. Click OK.
When you specify the data connection for a Business Overview web part, use the relative path Data Connections/<ODCFileName>. For example, Data Connections/Dynamics AX.odc.