Compatibility Level (SSAS Tabular SP1)

SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) introduces new features for Analysis Services running in Tabular mode, including optimized storage for measures and KPIs, extended data categorizations, extended characters, hierarchy annotation, and improved support when importing from Data Market data feeds.

Compatibility Level

With SQL Server 2012 SP1, you can now specify Compatibility Level when creating new Tabular model projects, when upgrading existing Tabular model projects, when upgrading existing deployed Tabular model databases, or when importing PowerPivot workbooks. An Analysis Services instance with SQL Server 2012 SP1 supports the following compatibility level (database version):

  • SQL Server 2012 (1100)

  • SQL Server 2012 SP1 (1103)

It is common to install service packs on development and test computers prior to installing on production computers. In such cases, it is important to understand setting compatibility level for both new Tabular model projects as well as those that have already been deployed into a production environment.

Set compatibility level when creating a new Tabular model project

When creating a new Tabular model project in SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) with SQL Server 2012 SP1 installed, on the New Tabular project options dialog, you can specify the compatibility level. You can choose between creating a new project to be deployed to an SQL Server 2012 SP1 Analysis Services instance or to an SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services instance (without Service Pack 1).

You can also specify a default compatibility level by selecting the Do not show this message again option. All subsequent projects will use the compatibility level you specified. You can change the default compatibility level in SSDT in Options.

Upgrade an existing Tabular model project to SP1 compatibility level

You can upgrade a Tabular model project created in SSDT prior to installing SP1 to be compatible with Analysis Services SP1 by using the Compatibility Level property in the model Properties window. In order to upgrade a Tabular model project, the computer on which SSDT is installed must have SP1 installed and the Analysis Services instance on which the workspace database resides must also have SP1 installed. You cannot downgrade from SP1 to an earlier version.

Upgrade a deployed Tabular model database to SP1 compatibility level

You can upgrade an existing deployed Tabular model database to SP1 compatibility level in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) by using the Compatibility Level property in Database Properties. In order to upgrade, the computer on which the SQL Server Analysis Services instance is installed must have SP1 installed. You cannot downgrade a deployed Tabular model database from SP1 to an earlier version.

Import from PowerPivot

When creating a new Tabular model project by importing from PowerPivot in SSDT with SQL Server 2012 SP1 installed, you can specify if you want to upgrade the compatibility level to the default compatibility level (if previously configured in SSDT) or leave the compatibility level to that already specified in the PowerPivot workbook.

Check compatibility level for a Tabular model database in SSMS

If your Analysis Services instance has SP1 installed, you can check the compatibility level for a Tabular model database in SSMS by viewing the Compatibility Level property in Database Properties.

Check supported compatibility level for an Analysis Services instance with SP1 in SSMS

If your Analysis Services instance has SP1 installed, you can check the supported compatibility level in SSMS by viewing the Supported Compatibility Level property on the Information page (new in SP1) in Analysis Services Properties. A supported compatibility level of 1103 indicates SP1 is installed. The supported compatibility level cannot be changed.