Substitution variables are global placeholders for regularly changing information. Because changes to a variable value are reflected everywhere the variable is used, manual changes are reduced.
For example, many reports depend on reporting periods; if you generate a report based on the current month, you must update the report script manually every month. With a substitution variable, such as CurMnth, set on the server, you can change the assigned value each month to the appropriate time period. When you use the variable name in a report script, the information is dynamically updated when you run the final report.
You can use substitution variables with both aggregate storage and block storage applications in the following areas:
Aggregate storage outline formulas
See Using MDX Formulas.
Calculation scripts (block storage databases only)
See Developing Calculation Scripts for Block Storage Databases.
Data load rules file header definitions and field definitions. You can enter variable names for dimension and member names.
See these Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help topics: “Setting Headers in the Rules File” and “Mapping Field Names.”
Data source name (DSN) specifications in rules files for SQL data sources
See Oracle Essbase SQL Interface Guide.
SELECT, FROM, or WHERE clauses in rules files for SQL data sources
See Oracle Essbase SQL Interface Guide.
See the Oracle Essbase Spreadsheet Add-in User's Guide.
You can set substitution variables on the Essbase Server using Administration Services, MaxL, or ESSCMD. Set the variable at any of the following levels: