Whether you build the attribute dimension and associate the attribute members with the members of the base dimension in one step or in separate steps, define the fields as described in this section.
If you are working with a multilevel attribute dimension or with an attribute dimension of the type numeric, Boolean, or date, the rules file requires an additional field. See Working with Multilevel Attribute Dimensions. |
Every record of the source data must include at least two columns: one for the member of the base dimension and one for the attribute value of the base dimension member. In the same source data record you can include additional columns for other attributes that you want to associate with the member of the base dimension. You must position the field for the member of the base dimension before any of the fields for the members of the attribute dimension.
Define the field type for the attribute dimension member as the name of the attribute dimension, use the generation or level number of the associated member of the base dimension, and specify the base dimension name. For example, as shown in the ATTRPROD.RUL file in Figure 81, Rules File for Associating Attributes, the field definition Ounces3,Product specifies that the field contains members of the Ounces attribute dimension. Each member of this field is associated with the data field that is defined as the generation 3 member of the base dimension Product. Based on this field definition, Essbase associates the attribute 64 with the 500-10 member.
You can have Essbase use the attribute columns to build the members of the attribute dimensions. In Data Prep Editor, in the Dimension Build Settings tab of the Dimension Build Settings dialog box, clear the Do not create members option for the base dimension. See “Setting Member Properties” in the Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help.
When you are working with numeric ranges, you may need to build attribute dimensions and perform associations in separate steps. See Working with Numeric Ranges.
The Caffeinated3,Product field in Figure 81, Rules File for Associating Attributes shows how to associate attributes from additional single-level attribute dimensions. Because the base dimension is already specified, you need only to define an additional field for each attribute that you want to associate with the member of the base dimension.
The file in Figure 81, Rules File for Associating Attributes associates attributes as shown in the outline in Figure 82, Associating Attributes. Member 64 is a new member of the Ounces attribute dimension. Members 500, 500-10, and 500-20 are new members of the base dimension, Product, and are associated with member 64.