Installing the Data Mining Add-In

The Data Mining Add-In is available from Microsoft via the Microsoft Download Center at www.microsoft.com/downloads. Utilize the search text box at the top of the screen, and search for Data Mining Add-In Office. Sort the result in order by date, picking the latest release. Opening the location in a browser should yield a page similar to Figure 10-1. Download the file named SQLServer2008_DMAddin.msi by clicking the Download button. Save the file to a location on your local machine.

Figure 10-1. Data Mining Add-In download page

After the download completes, execute the installer. The first indication of the installation process will be the welcome screen pictured in Figure 10-2.

Figure 10-2. Data Mining Add-In installer

Click the Next button to advance the process to the license agreement, illustrated in Figure 10-3.

Figure 10-3. Data Mining Add-In license acceptance

Confirm that the radio button indicating acceptance of the license terms is selected, as illustrated in Figure 10-3. Click the Next button to proceed to the Registration Information form, illustrated in Figure 10-4.

Figure 10-4. Registration Information form

Complete the form with your contact name and company, and press the Next button to continue the installation with the Feature Selection dialog, illustrated in Figure 10-5.

Figure 10-5. Feature Selection dialog

For this example, you will require only Table Analysis Tools for Excel and the Server Configuration Utility. You may optionally install the other features. Select a suitable location on your local machine, and press the Next button to advance to the final pre-installation review, illustrated in Figure 10-6.

Figure 10-6. Final pre-installation review

The installation review dialog is the final checkpoint before the selected features are installed. If you are uncertain of any entries made in the preceding screens, use the Back button to verify your work. Otherwise, click the Install button to advance the installation process to the final step, putting the selected features on your local machine, illustrated in Figure 10-7.

Figure 10-7. Installation progress dialog

The installation progress bar will advance from left to right, as the selected software components are installed. At the conclusion of the installation, the Next button will be made active. Click the Next button to advance to the final dialog of the Data Mining Add-In installation, illustrated in Figure 10-8.

Figure 10-8. Successful installation

Click the Finish button within the final installation dialog to complete the installation.