The multidimensional data model grew out of the view of
business data popularized by PC spreadsheet programs that
were extensively used by business analysts. The spreadsheet
is still the most compelling front-end application for OLAP.
The challenge in supporting a query environment for OLAP
can be crudely summarized as that of supporting spreadsheet
operations efficiently over large multi-gigabyte databases.
Indeed, the Essbase product of Arbor Corporation uses
Microsoft Excel as the front-end tool for its multidimensional
engine.