CUB File – What is .cub file and how to open it?

Definition and Purpose

A CUB file (Analysis Services Cube File) is a binary file format used by Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS). It stores multidimensional data cubes, which are essential for creating business intelligence reports and analysis. Data cubes provide a structured way to organize and aggregate data, facilitating efficient and rapid data analysis.

Structure and Content

CUB files contain a hierarchical structure of data, consisting of dimensions and measures. Dimensions represent different perspectives of the data, such as time, geography, or product category. Measures are numerical values that are aggregated across the dimensions to provide insights into the data. CUB files also include metadata, such as the cube name, attribute properties, and security settings.

Usage and Benefits

CUB files are used in conjunction with Analysis Services to create and store data cubes. These cubes can be queried using the Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) language, enabling users to perform complex data analysis and generate insightful reports. CUB files offer several advantages, including efficient data storage, rapid data retrieval, and support for large data volumes, making them a valuable asset for business intelligence applications.

Opening CUB Files in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is the recommended tool for opening and managing CUB files, which are Analysis Services Cube Files. SSMS is a free, graphical tool for managing and administering Microsoft SQL Server and its components. To open a CUB file in SSMS:

1. Launch SSMS and connect to the server that hosts the Analysis Services database containing the CUB file.
2. Expand the Databases node in the Object Explorer pane on the left.
3. Right-click the Analysis Services node and select Open.
4. Navigate to the location of the CUB file, select it, and click Open.

Once the CUB file is open in SSMS, you can view its properties, dimensions, measures, and other metadata. You can also create and execute MDX queries to retrieve data from the cube.

Alternative Methods for Opening CUB Files

While SSMS is the most common tool for working with CUB files, there are a few other options available:

• Microsoft Visual Studio (with Analysis Services Extensions installed): This allows you to access and manage Analysis Services objects, including CUB files.
• Third-party tools: Several third-party tools, such as JetBrains DataGrip and Embarcadero RAD Studio, support opening and editing CUB files. However, these tools may not provide the same level of functionality as SSMS.

CUB File Format

A CUB file is an Analysis Services Cube File that stores multidimensional data in a structured format, enabling efficient analysis and reporting. The CUB file structure comprises multiple dimensions, each representing a category of data, such as time, product, or location. Within each dimension are levels, which represent hierarchical categories. Measures, which are numerical values, are associated with the intersections of dimensions and levels.

CUB files leverage Microsoft’s proprietary Analysis Services technology, providing powerful data analysis capabilities. They offer fast data retrieval and aggregation, allowing users to perform complex analytical queries and generate interactive reports. CUB files are typically used with Microsoft’s Power BI and Excel Power Pivot tools for data visualization and analysis.

CUB File Usage

CUB files are widely employed in business intelligence and data analysis applications. They enable users to create data models and cubes, which are multidimensional structures that facilitate efficient data exploration and querying. CUB files are particularly useful for performing complex calculations and aggregations on large datasets, providing insights into data relationships and trends. Additionally, CUB files can be used to create interactive dashboards and reports, allowing users to drill down into data and gain a deeper understanding of their business performance.

Other Extensions