Building Multiple Roll-Ups by Using Level References

To enable the retrieval of totals from multiple perspectives, you can also put shared members at different levels in the outline by using the level references build method. For example, the rules file (LEVELMUL.RUL) shown in Figure 101, Sample Rules File: Multiple Roll-Ups at Different Levels Using Level References and Figure 102, (Continuation) Sample Rules File: Multiple Roll-Ups at Different Levels Using Level References specifies build instructions for levels in the Product dimension:

Figure 101. Sample Rules File: Multiple Roll-Ups at Different Levels Using Level References

This image illustrates a rules file for creating shared members at different levels by using the level references build method.

Because the record is so long, this second graphic shows the rules file scrolled to the right to show the extra members:

Figure 102. (Continuation) Sample Rules File: Multiple Roll-Ups at Different Levels Using Level References

This image is a continuation of the rules file for creating shared members at different levels by using the level references build method.

When you run the dimension build using the data in Figure 102, (Continuation) Sample Rules File: Multiple Roll-Ups at Different Levels Using Level References, Essbase builds the outline shown in Figure 103, Sample Outline: Multiple Roll-Ups at Different Levels:

Figure 103. Sample Outline: Multiple Roll-Ups at Different Levels

This images shows new shared members at different levels in the Product dimension.

This example enables analysis not only by package type (Cans), but also by packaging material (comparing sales of aluminum cans and steel cans).

Because Product is a sparse dimension, you can use an alternative outline design to enable retrieval of the same information. For example, consider creating a multilevel attribute dimension for package type with Steel and Aluminum as level 0 members under Can. For outline design guidelines, see Analyzing Database Design.