Review and manage dimensions to ensure ‌effective organization and management of data structures.

Each data model is composed of a combination of dimensions. This page describes how to perform dimension maintenance.

The icons in the center toolbar in the Models module include:

IconDescription
ModelsSelect to open the Models screen. 
DimensionsSelect to open the Dimensions Screen.
ViewsSelect to open the Views screen.
Hierarchy ExtractsSelect to open the Hierarchy Extracts screen.
SubsetsSelect to open the Subsets screen. 
ListsSelect to open the Lists screen. 

The icons in the upper right include:

IconsDescription
Select the Process icon to save changes to your tenant.
The add icon is available to add a new model, dimension, view, subset, or list, depending on the screen you're on.

Add dimensions

To add a new dimension:

  1. Select the Models module.
  2. Select the Dimensions icon in the center toolbar and then select the Add icon.
  3. In the Add Dimensions window, enter these details:
ParameterDescription
Dimension name

The name must be:

  • A unique name.
  • Contain only letters, numbers, underscores, and spaces (other special characters aren't allowed).
  • A maximum of 32 characters.

Underscores and spaces are treated equivalently. For example: [Cost_Center] and [Cost Center] aren't considered unique.

Underscores are used as separators between Dimensions and Hierarchy names. For example, if you have a dimension [Cost] with a hierarchy [Center], you won't be able to create a new dimension called [Cost_Center].

Type

Select the type of dimension to add from the dropdown list. Valid values:

  • Other
  • Measure
  • Account
  • Time
  • Entity
  • Currency
  • Movement
  • DataView
  • Audit
  • Scenario
  • Intercompany
  • Group

Each dimension type has specific attributes.

Max Depth

The Max Depth for a dimension is calculated and updated automatically. This is a non-editable field.

  • When a new dimension is created, the Max Depth field defaults to 2. 
  • When new child members are added to a hierarchy, either manually or through a file import, the system increases the Max Depth value to reflect the new structure.
  • If members are deleted, reducing the hierarchy's depth, the Max Depth value will decrease accordingly.
  • The system limit is 16 levels. A message appears if a file import exceeds the maximum depth, and the new items won't be added.
TranslationSelect the languages to support ‌the member captions. Translated captions must be supplied.
Non-leaf Data Members

Select the Non-leaf Data Members checkbox to store data in non-leaf data members (parent members) for this dimension.

Use this option with caution. When data is retrieved from Non-leaf Data Members, the value retrieved is the sum of the leaf members plus the Non-leaf member.

Properties

Adds a property (attribute) to the dimension. To add a property (attribute) to the dimension:

  1. Select Add.
  2. Enter a new property name.
  3. Select the data type for the property. Default is a string. Valid values: string, float, int, date,  bool, list, and dimension member.
  4. Select the Reporting checkbox to show that this property will be included for reporting purposes in Microsoft Analysis Services tabular models. Not currently in use.
  1. Select Save.
  2. Select Process to commit the changes.

Delete dimensions

To delete a dimension:

  1. Navigate to the Models module and select Dimensions icon in the center toolbar.
  2. Select the dimension to delete from the list of available dimensions.
    The Edit Dimension window displays.
  3. Select Delete to delete the dimension.