SSAS Interview Question: Difference between Measure and Calculated Measure

In SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), a measure is a quantitative value that represents some key performance indicator or data point in a cube. It is typically a direct column or attribute from the underlying data source.

On the other hand, a calculated measure in SSAS is derived from one or more existing measures using MDX expressions or calculations. It allows users to perform complex calculations on the fly without modifying the source data.

While measures are static and directly pulled from the data source, calculated measures are dynamic and can be customized based on specific business requirements.

Understanding the difference between measures and calculated measures in SSAS is crucial for effectively analyzing and visualizing data within a multidimensional model.