1. Modeling
  2. Dimensions

Dimensions are used to form the structure of a module. Model builders use dimensions to define a module's rows, columns, and pages.

By default, all models include the Time and Versions dimensions, and the Organization and Users lists. Other dimensions include Lists, which typically include products, regions, departments, or employees.

Dimensions give context to cell values. The table below shows data from the Country Margin Report module, which has Products on rows, line items on columns, and Years and Regions on pages. Products and Regions are lists, and Years is Time.

Each dimension contextualises the data in the module. For example, the total revenue from Chocolates sold in Europe in FY21 is 2,675,773.

FY21Europe



RevenueCost of SalesMarginMargin %
Chocolates2,675,773744,8671,930,90672.16%
Sours3,132,459805,2692,327,19074.29%
Taffy3,436,924843,1542,593,77175.47%
Fudge1,957,370520,0751,437,29573.43%
All Products11,202,5262,913,3658,289,16173.99%

Add dimensions to modules

You can select dimensions when you create a module. Pivot your dimensions between Rows and Columns, or display them as Pages.

You can also nest dimensions on a maximum of three levels on columns or rows. 

Time

Time is a default dimension. For example, use the Time dimension to anaylze data from the previous year, and to plan for what might happen in the future.

Manage your model's calendar in Time in the model settings bar.

Versions

Versions is a default dimension. For example, use versions to compare different scenarios, such as actual and forecast data.

Manage versions in Versions in the model settings bar.

Organization and Users lists

The Organization and Users lists, default lists, are also default dimensions. For example, use the Organization list to hold your organization details, such as regions and departments.

Lists

Lists are a dimension, like Time and Versions. For example, use lists to group similar products, employees in a department, or geographic regions.

List subsets

List subsets contain list items from larger lists. For example, use list subsets as a dimension if you want to analyse commissions for specific employees in a team.

Manage all lists and list subsets in General Lists in the model settings bar.

Line items

Line items are a type of dimension, and represent how data in a module is measured. For example, the Employee Expenses module includes the Start date, Leave date, Salary, and Bonus line items.

Manage line items in Modules in the model settings bar.

Line item subsets

Line item subsets are another type of dimension, and include collections of line items from the same or different modules in a model. For example, use line item subsets to group calculations together from different modules.

Manage line item subsets in Line Item Subsets in the model settings bar.