Restoring MS SQL Analysis Server Database or Cube with Specific ID

Restoring a MS SQL Database in 2008 and later is really easy, but I recently found that it won't always result in the Database having the ID you want it to. In my case, I needed to restore the database next to one that already existed. Upon doing so, it automatically changed the ID of the database to match that of the name I gave it. This is nice, but not what I wanted. I have a lot of jobs that refer to the database by it's ID, and you can't change an ID once it's in place. Furthermore, the restore dialog doesn't give you the option to specify your ID either, however, the Script button does... XMLA Scripts to the rescue!

Step Through It

1. Open up Management Studio
2. Connect to your Analysis Services Server
3. Right Click on the Databases and hit "Restore..."
4. When the Restore window comes up, fill in as much info as you can, but instead of hitting "OK", hit the "Script" button at the top. A new script will open behind your window. Close the window and go to the script, it should look something like this.

<Restore xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/analysisservices/2003/engine">
  <File>\\Gibson\Awesome\AnalysisServices\Awesome_Data\Awesome_Data_20140201030032.abf</File>
  <DatabaseName>Awesome Data New</DatabaseName>
 <DatabaseID>Awesome ID</DatabaseID>
  <AllowOverwrite>true</AllowOverwrite>
</Restore>

Finally, Add that DatabaseID line and Hit F5 to run the restore!

When it's done you should have a newly restored Cube/Database, with the ID you were hoping for!