What is Mondrian?

Mondrian is a statistical data-visualization system with the capability to handle a variety of data types and visualization techniques. It is particularly adept at managing categorical, geographical, and large datasets. In Mondrian, all plots are interconnected, allowing for dynamic interactions and queries. When a user selects a case in one plot, it is automatically highlighted across all other plots, providing a cohesive and integrated data analysis experience.

Mondrian is designed to work with data in tab-delimited or comma-separated ASCII files and can also load data from R workspaces. Additionally, Mondrian offers basic support for working directly with data in databases. This versatility in handling data sources makes it a robust tool for statistical analysis.

In terms of data structure, Mondrian utilizes schemas represented in XML files. The logical models within these schemas include cubes, hierarchies, and members, while the physical models are typically star schemas—a set of tables in a relational database. Mondrian supports various data types such as String, Integer, Numeric, Boolean, Date, Time, and Timestamp, with Numeric being the default data type. These capabilities allow Mondrian to efficiently process and return cell values in XML for Analysis.

Furthermore, Mondrian is an OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) server, providing advanced analytical operations and the ability to create virtual cubes to handle different granularities and dimensionalities in fact tables. It also supports named sets, which are schema-wide and only usable if the cube contains the required dimensions. For situations where the schema language and MDX language are not sufficient, Mondrian offers plug-ins to extend functionality through Java code, enhancing capabilities such as user-defined functions and dynamic schema processors.

Mondrian Plugins for Excel

Simba Plugin

Simba provides a plugin for Excel that allows you to read from a Mondrian cube. This plugin enables seamless integration with Mondrian's multidimensional data sources.

WebPivotTable

Webpivottable.com offers a pure javascript pivot table solution capable of directly connecting to any XMLA service. This tool is particularly useful for users who require web-based pivot table functionalities.

Jaspersoft Excel Plugin

Enterprise editions of Jaspersoft include an Excel plugin designed for Mondrian, expanding the capabilities of Excel for enterprise users who work with Mondrian cubes.

XMLA Connect

An open source connector for Mondrian for Excel is available under the name xmlaconnect. This enables users who prefer open source solutions to connect Excel with Mondrian data sources.

Common Use Cases

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  Business intelligence reporting
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  Advanced data modeling and analysis
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  Customized OLAP data exploration
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  Integration of multi-dimensional data with Excel PivotTables
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  Execution of complex MDX queries on ClickHouse datasets

Frequently Asked Questions

What options are available for connecting Excel to a Mondrian OLAP server?

To connect Excel to a Mondrian OLAP server, you can use the ODBC driver provided by Simba, the plugin from Jaspersoft, or an open source connector like XMLAConnect.

Does the JavaScript pivot table solution require any additional driver or plugin to browse Mondrian cubes?

No, the pure JavaScript pivot table solution does not require any additional driver or plugin and has no backend dependency.

Is there any compatibility consideration when connecting Mondrian to Excel?

Yes, the eMondrian fork includes compatibility fixes for ADOMD.NET and Excel clients.

What topics are covered in Mondrian plugin tutorials for Excel?

Mondrian plugin tutorials for Excel cover a range of topics including installation, schema configuration, MDX, performance optimization, cache control, and using tools like Mondrian Workbench and Command Runner.

How does Mondrian handle access control within Excel?

Access control in Mondrian is managed through the definition of roles within the schema, which can grant or deny access to cubes, dimensions, and hierarchies, and control the visibility of members within hierarchies.