There are some differences in functionality available in the MDS web interface (known as Master Data Manager) versus the MDS Excel Add-In. Following is a quick reference which is applicable to SQL Server 2012.
Management of Data:
Feature |
Web Interface |
Excel Add-In |
Add or update members individually |
Yes |
Yes |
Delete members individually |
Yes |
Yes |
Add or update members in bulk |
No |
Yes |
Delete members in bulk |
Yes |
Yes |
Create annotations of changes |
Yes |
Yes |
Create and manage attribute groups |
Yes |
No |
View attribute groups |
Yes |
Yes (Via filters) |
View transactions |
Yes |
No |
Filters |
Yes |
Yes (Fewer options) |
Match data |
No |
Yes (If DQS integration is enabled) |
Combine data |
No |
Yes |
Create shortcut query file |
No |
Yes |
Model Structure:
Feature |
Web Interface |
Excel Add-In |
Create model |
Yes |
No |
Create entity |
Yes |
Yes (Code and Name columns only) |
Create attribute |
Yes |
No |
Edit attribute data type or length |
No |
Yes |
Business Rules:
Feature |
Web Interface |
Excel Add-In |
Create and edit business rules |
Yes |
No |
Apply business rules (validate) |
Yes |
Yes |
Hierarchies:
Feature |
Web Interface |
Excel Add-In |
Create explicit hierarchy |
Yes |
No |
View explicit hierarchy |
Yes |
Yes (Via filters) |
Manage explicit hierarchy |
Yes |
No |
Create derived hierarchy |
Yes |
No |
View derived hierarchy |
Yes |
No |
Collections:
Feature |
Web Interface |
Excel Add-In |
Create and view collections |
Yes |
No |
Add or update collection members |
Yes |
No |
Administration:
Feature |
Web Interface |
Excel Add-In |
Administrator tasks such as managing permissions,
versions, subscription views, and deployment |
Yes |
No |