What is MicroStrategy?
MicroStrategy is an enterprise business intelligence (BI) platform that enables organizations to analyze internal and external data to make informed business decisions. It supports interactive dashboards, scorecards, alerts, data visualization, automated reporting, and mobile business intelligence applications.
What are the benefits of MicroStrategy?
- Real-time monitoring and reporting without requiring database programming knowledge.
- Easy online data access and user-friendly search via MicroStrategy Web.
- Integration with Microsoft Office through MicroStrategy Office for report customization.
- Mobile accessibility on most devices and platforms through MicroStrategy Mobile.
How to use MicroStrategy?
- Business analysts use it for predictive analytics and reporting.
- Over 200 built-in functions help data scientists with KPIs and advanced analytics.
- Data parsing and wrangling capabilities.
- Intuitive tools for creating data visualizations.
- Real-time data monitoring with interactive dashboards.
How to create a dashboard in MicroStrategy?
- Click Create on the MicroStrategy Web home page and choose New Document.
- Select a dashboard template or start with a blank one.
- To unlock, right-click the padlock icon, choose Properties and Formatting, and uncheck Locked.
- Click OK to begin customizing your dashboard.
What is a lookup table in MicroStrategy?
A lookup table in MicroStrategy stores attribute information using description fields and IDs. A table storing a single attribute is normalized, while one with multiple attributes is denormalized. This depends on the physical schema design.
What is Narrowcast Server in MicroStrategy?
The MicroStrategy Narrowcast Server is a delivery engine that distributes personalized business information to users via email, SMS, printers, mobile devices, and file servers. It consists of a Subscription Portal and Delivery Engine, which can run on one or more machines.
What is metadata in MicroStrategy?
Metadata in MicroStrategy is a repository that stores details about schema objects, application objects, configuration, project settings, and data warehouse connections. It acts as a blueprint for all MicroStrategy projects.
What are metrics in MicroStrategy?
Metrics are formulas that perform calculations like sum, average, or ratios on data columns. They use built-in functions to derive business insights.
Types of metrics include:
- Simple metrics
- Nested metrics
- Compound metrics
- Derived metrics
- Conditional metrics
- Transformation metrics
What are VLDB properties in MicroStrategy?
VLDB (Very Large Database) properties allow customization of SQL generated by the Intelligence Server. They affect query performance, metric calculation, and result accuracy. VLDB settings can be defined at:
- Attribute level
- Report level
- Database instance level
What are attributes in MicroStrategy?
Attributes represent business entities in MicroStrategy and are defined by unique IDs in the data warehouse. They serve as column headers in reports. Types include:
- Simple attribute
- Implicit attribute
- Derived attribute
- Compound Key attribute
How to create a derived attribute in MicroStrategy?
- Create a dataset with required columns.
- In a dashboard or document, add a new attribute by applying expressions on the existing dataset.
- Drag the attribute to the document grid for display.
What is an implicit attribute in MicroStrategy?
An implicit attribute is created at the application level using a constant or expression. It doesn't exist in the physical schema but is defined in metadata using custom expressions.
What is a compound attribute in MicroStrategy?
A compound attribute is defined by multiple columns acting together as a unique key. It is used when no single column uniquely identifies an entity.
What is the attribute role in MicroStrategy?
An attribute role allows the same attribute table to serve different logical purposes in reports. Role definition can be done using:
- Table aliasing
- Automatic role recognition
What is data blending in MicroStrategy?
Data blending allows combining data from multiple sources in a single dashboard or report. Shared attributes are outer joined; unshared ones result in a Cartesian join.
What is the difference between primary and secondary dataset in MicroStrategy?
Primary datasets are the default data sources used in reports or dashboards. Secondary datasets add supplementary data and can join with primary datasets using shared attributes. Their elements can be displayed even without corresponding primary dataset values.
What is a joint child in MicroStrategy?
A joint child is an attribute formed by combining two unrelated parent attributes. It’s used for handling composite key relationships in data models.
What is data wrangling in MicroStrategy?
Data wrangling is the process of transforming raw data into a usable format. In MicroStrategy, this involves filtering, removing duplicates, and cleaning data using the "Wrangle Your Data" interface.
How to compare strings in MicroStrategy?
String comparison in MicroStrategy can be done using:
- LIKE operator – matches a pattern.
- = (Equal) operator – checks for exact matches.
What is a dossier in MicroStrategy?
A dossier is a modern interactive dashboard in MicroStrategy used to analyze and visualize data. It offers drag-and-drop functionality, multiple layouts, filter panels, and supports collaboration with comments and bookmarks. Dossiers have replaced the traditional “Documents” in many use cases.
What is MicroStrategy HyperIntelligence?
HyperIntelligence is a zero-click intelligence feature from MicroStrategy that embeds business data into everyday tools like emails, websites, and Office applications. It delivers insights through interactive cards that appear on hover, without users having to run reports.
What is Intelligent Cube in MicroStrategy?
Intelligent Cubes are in-memory data sets that allow high performance reporting. They enable reusability, faster access, and interactive slicing and dicing without re-querying the data warehouse.
What is a prompt in MicroStrategy?
A prompt is a question the system asks the user when a report or document is executed. It allows users to filter or customize their data before viewing the results. There are several types: value prompts, object prompts, level prompts, and expression prompts.
How does MicroStrategy support real-time data analysis?
MicroStrategy supports real-time dashboards by connecting to streaming sources or frequently refreshed data via live direct connections. It enables monitoring of key metrics without delay.
What is the difference between a report and a dossier in MicroStrategy?
Reports: Tabular and static, used for operational reporting. Dossiers: Interactive, visual dashboards that support modern analytics, filtering, and storyboarding.
What are MicroStrategy Library and Workstation?
Library: A centralized portal where users access dossiers and reports. Workstation: A desktop-based authoring tool for managing users, security, schedules, and creating data models and dashboards.
How does MicroStrategy ensure data security?
MicroStrategy uses a multi-layered security model that includes: Role-based access control (RBAC) Object-level and data-level security filters Integration with LDAP, SAML, Kerberos, and OAuth for authentication
What is transaction services in MicroStrategy?
Transaction services allow users to write back to the database directly from MicroStrategy dashboards. For example, a manager can approve leave requests or update inventory quantities directly within a report.
How to perform performance tuning in MicroStrategy?
Optimize VLDB properties for query efficiency Use Intelligent Cubes for reusable in-memory data Minimize use of derived elements and large joins Schedule reports during off-peak hours Enable caching for frequently used reports
✅ Bonus Tip: If you're targeting job-seekers, adding sample scenario-based questions can also boost engagement.
Example: Q: You're assigned a task to reduce dashboard loading time without changing the database. What steps would you take?
A: Use Intelligent Cubes, reduce the number of visualizations per page, limit dataset size, and apply filters early.