Understanding Database Outlines

Database outlines define the structure of a multidimensional database, including all the dimensions, members, aliases, properties, types, consolidations, and mathematical relationships. The structure defined in the outline determines how data is stored in the database.

When a database is created, Essbase creates an outline for that database automatically. The outline has the same name as the database (dbname.otl). For example, when the Basic database is created within the Sample application, an outline is created in the following directory:

ARBORPATH/app/sample/basic/basic.otl

See Creating a Database and Creating and Changing Database Outlines.