What is the difference between MDX and MDX technology?
MDX refers to two distinct technologies that share the same acronym: Multidimensional Expressions, a query language for OLAP cubes used in business intelligence, and MDX, the Markdown+JSX format for authoring rich content in React apps. They serve very different purposes and operate in different ecosystems, so it’s important to distinguish them when you encounter the term “MDX.”
MDX as Multidimensional Expressions (OLAP)
Multidimensional Expressions, or MDX, is a specialized query language designed to retrieve and compute data from OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) cubes. It is the backbone of many business intelligence platforms and is built to navigate complex, hierarchical data structures like dimensions, hierarchies, and measures.
What it is
MDX is a formal query language that enables analysts to slice, dice, and drill into multidimensional data. It operates on cube structures rather than flat tables, allowing sophisticated analytics over time, geography, product lines, and other dimensions.
Core concepts
Key ideas in MDX include cubes, dimensions, hierarchies, measures, members, and sets. Queries typically specify axes (columns and rows) and may include slicers to filter data or calculated members for on-the-fly computations.
Typical use cases
MDX is used for pivot-style analytics, time-series analysis, cross-joining multiple dimensions, and performing advanced calculations across hierarchies. It powers interactive BI reports and dashboards in tools such as SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), and other OLAP engines.
Common query patterns you’ll encounter include working with measures, hierarchies, and crossjoins to produce multidimensional result sets.
- Cube-centered data model: cubes, dimensions, hierarchies, and measures
- Sets, axes, and slicers to shape results
- Hierarchies, levels, and members for drill-down and roll-up
- Functions for navigation and calculation (e.g., CROSSJOIN, DESCENDANTS, NON EMPTY)
- Returns results in a tabular form suitable for pivot-like analysis
MDX queries are typically executed within BI platforms or OLAP servers, such as SSAS or compatible engines, and the results feed dashboards, reports, and data explorations.
Example MDX query
SELECT
{[Measures].[Sales Amount]} ON COLUMNS,
[Date].[Calendar].[Calendar Year].&[2023] ON ROWS
FROM [Sales]MDX as Markdown + JSX (MDX.js)
MDX.js is a modern content format that blends Markdown with JSX, enabling you to embed React components directly in your documents. It powers interactive docs, blogs, and technical content in React-based sites.
What it is
MDX extends Markdown by permitting JSX syntax inside the content, turning Markdown files into React components when processed by a build tool or runtime. This lets authors mix narrative text with interactive UI elements.
Core concepts
Significant ideas include MDXProvider (to map component names to React components), the ability to import components within Markdown, and the compilation step that turns MDX into renderable React code. It integrates with standard Markdown tooling and modern JS ecosystems.
Typical use cases
MDX is widely used for technical documentation, product docs, marketing pages with interactive demos, and any scenario where authors want to combine prose with live components inside a single file.
Common features include the ability to embed custom React components, pass props, and render rich UI directly within Markdown content.
- Markdown with embedded JSX for interactive content
- React components imported and rendered inside documents
- MDXProvider to customize component rendering
- Seamless integration with Next.js, Gatsby, Docusaurus, and similar tooling
- Extensibility via remark/rehype plugins and broader JSX ecosystem
MDX files typically have the .mdx extension and are compiled to React components for rendering in web apps or static sites.
Example MDX (Markdown + JSX) file
import Notice from './components/Notice'
# Welcome to MDX
This is a paragraph in Markdown.
Key differences at a glance
Although they share the same acronym, these MDXs serve different audiences, data models, and tooling ecosystems. Here is a quick comparison to help you tell them apart at a glance.
- Purpose: MDX (OLAP) enables data analysis and reporting on multidimensional cubes; MDX.js enables rich content authoring with embedded React components.
- Data modeling: MDX (OLAP) uses cubes, dimensions, hierarchies, and measures; MDX.js uses Markdown structure augmented with JSX components.
- Environment: MDX (OLAP) runs inside BI/OLAP servers or engines; MDX.js runs in JavaScript environments, build pipelines, and web apps.
- Output: MDX (OLAP) returns analytical data results; MDX.js renders interactive content in a UI.
- Syntax: MDX (OLAP) uses a specialized query syntax; MDX.js relies on Markdown and embedded JSX (JavaScript/React).
When you encounter the acronym, always check the surrounding context to determine which MDX is being referenced—the BI/OLAP world or the modern content-authoring world.
Summary
MDX comprises two distinct technologies with different goals and ecosystems. MDX (Multidimensional Expressions) is a domain-specific query language for OLAP cubes, enabling complex analytics across dimensions and measures. MDX (Markdown + JSX) is a content authoring format that turns Markdown into React components, empowering rich, interactive documentation and websites. Understanding the context is essential to applying the right tool for data analysis or content development.
