I use a lot of tools and software on a daily basis. I frequently use free tools/scripts that I mentioned under Start Here.

Tools I use for SQL Server

  • SQL Server Management Studio
    I use this to manage the SQL environment (access, configure, administer, develop)
    • SentryOne Plan Explorer
      For queries that have complicated plans and need more real estate to analyze I prefer SentryOne plan explorer which is of course free
  • Azure Data Studio
    A new modern and unified tool for data people working on cross-platform hybrid environments including on-premise SQL Servers or Azure databases.
  • Azure Data Studio
    I use this in my personal workstation and pet projects primarily because my personal workstation is a Mac. I like its built-in integration with GIT and can use several command-line tools in the integrated terminal window
  • Visual Studio
    Predominantly for SSIS and Data Modeling (SSAS Multi-Dimensional)
  • Extended Events
    Hurray, I finally stopped using Profiler to trace and started using Extended Events. Winner winner chicken dinner.
  • DPA
    Database Performance Analyzer by Solarwinds. I use this paid high-end software to monitor SQL instances, query performance, analysis, and tuning.

Tools I use for Power BI

  • Power BI tools and apps:
    Power BI Desktop, Power BI Report Builder/Power BI Services
    Develop and publish a paginated report, dynamic analytical reports, and tabular data model
    I love and use Tableau as well.
  • Business OPS:
    A one-stop shop to manage external tools in Power BI Desktop built by PowerBI.tips.
  • DAX Studio
    I use this to run DAX queries against data sources. Super tool for writing DAX and doing DAX query analysis against tabular models.
  • ALM Toolkit
    It brings in a different flavor for managing PBI datasets. It helps make your dataset deployment extremely easy and efficient. PBI desktop is like all-or-nothing but ALM toolkit helps you with partial releases. It also does not require a full reload of the tables so is a lifesaver.
  • Power BI Helper
    Built by RADACAD. It does a few other cool stuff but I enjoy this tool when I am documenting PBI data models.