Defining Dimensions for OLAP Analysis

In this section:

Synonyms can be modified to support Online Analytical Processing (OLAP). The Synonym Editor provides tools to create OLAP hierarchies and dimensions. OLAP enables you to drill down or roll up on hierarchical data, pivot fields from columns to rows (or vice versa), and slice-and-dice information by filtering or querying data sources based on specified criteria thresholds.

You OLAP-enable the Master File by using the Synonym Editor to create dimension(s) at the field level and associate fields with each dimension.

Note: OLAP is a reporting facility. It is not relevant to data maintenance projects.


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Using the Dimension Builder in the Synonym Editor Modeling View

How to:

Reference:

The Dimension Builder enables you to create logical views based on enterprise data (relational or legacy data sources) for multidimensional analysis without manually editing metadata. The Dimension Builder works with relational and FOCUS data sources. You can enable the Dimension Builder by selecting Dimension Builder from the toolbar or the Tools menu.



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Procedure: How to Add a Parent/Child Hierarchy
  1. From the Synonym Editor, click the Modeling View tab.
  2. Click the Dimension Builder icon on the toolbar.

    The Dimension Builder opens.

  3. Click the Parent/Child Hierarchy icon from the Dimension Builder toolbar.

    The Mandatory Properties for Parent/Child Hierarchy dialog box opens.

  4. Select a field from the Field Tree and click Assign to assign a Unique ID for the hierarchy.

    Mandatory Properties for Parent/Child Hierarchy dialog box

  5. Repeat step 4 for the Caption and Parent hierarchy properties.
  6. Click OK to close the Mandatory Properties for Parent/Child Hierarchy dialog box.

    The Mandatory Properties are added to the Dimension Builder.

  7. Use the right-click menu to rename the dimension, view properties, or view sample data for the dimension.
  8. Click Save from the File menu to save the dimension.


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Procedure: How to Delete a Dimension

To delete a dimension, right-click a dimension and select Delete, or click the Delete button from the Dimension Builder toolbar.



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Procedure: How to Add Levels to the Hierarchy

This process enables you to edit an existing Master File, add tables (for non-FOCUS Master Files), and create and modify dimensions.

  1. From the Synonym Editor, click the Modeling View tab.
  2. Select the Levels Hierarchy button from the Dimension Builder toolbar.

    A level is added to the hierarchy. Use the right-click menu to rename the dimension or keep the default name.

  3. Drag the selected fields from a segment into the Dimension Builder hierarchy folder.

    Column tab

  4. Click Save from the File menu to save the dimension.

    The dimension is saved and stored in the Master File.



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Reference: Dimension Builder Toolbar

You can access the following commands from the Dimension Builder toolbar.

Button

Definition

Adds a level hierarchy.

Enables you to create a parent/child hierarchy and assign mandatory properties for the hierarchy.

Delete

Deletes the selected item.

Enables you to view and refresh sample data for the selected field.

Enables you to edit a hierarchy.


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