Creating Symmetric and Asymmetric Reports

Essbase reports can contain symmetric or asymmetric column groups. Essbase determines the symmetry of column groups automatically, based on the members you select.

A symmetric report, shown below, is characterized by repeating, identical groups of members.

           East                             West
   Budget        Actual             Budget       Actual
Q1  Q2  Q3     Q1  Q2  Q3        Q1  Q2  Q3   Q1  Q2  Q3

An asymmetric report, shown below, is characterized by groups of nested members that differ by at least one member in the nested group. There can be a difference in the number of members or the names of members.

           East                      West
   Budget          Actual           Budget
Q1  Q2  Q3      Q1  Q2  Q3       Q1  Q2  Q3

By default, Essbase creates a symmetric report unless you select the same number of members for all column dimensions.

For an example of an asymmetric report, see “Sample 13, Creating Asymmetric Columns,” in the Examples of Report Scripts page of the Oracle Essbase Technical Reference.

The Essbase evaluation of symmetry versus asymmetry takes place before any ordering, restriction on columns, or application of the effects of calculated columns.