The Scenario

Deploying an Analysis Services Tabular model to SSAS Azure using the Analysis Services Deployment Wizard. Both Visual Studio 2017 & SQL Server 2017 installed on the client.

Try and click on the ellipses to change the data source connection string or impersonation information results in a Newtonsoft.json error:

“Could not load file or assembly ‘Newtonsoft.Json, Version 6.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, ……”

The Solution

If you look at the folder containing Newtonsoft.Json.dll (2C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\Extensions\Application” – substitute 140 for your version of SQL Server) and then right click properties on the Newtonsoft.Json.dll file you’ll probably find that it’s version 10.0.3 or later, but the error message shows that the deployment wizard is looking for version 6.0.x. We therefore have to tell the SSAS Deployment Wizard to use a newer version instead.

Use Notepad(++) to open the Microsoft.AnalysisServices.Deployment.exe.config file, which you should find in “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio” (substitute 140 as above, for your correct version).

Find the section for Newtonsoft.Json

And make a couple of changes (backup the file first!!!)

• Add in a bindingRedirect line, redirecting 6.0.0.0 to 10.0.0.0
• Change the codeBase version number to match the actual file version, 10.0.0.0

Save and close the file, relaunch the deployment wizard, and you should find it all works ok.

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