Avoiding Forward Calculation References

To obtain the calculation results you expect, ensure that the outline does not contain forward calculation references. Forward calculation references occur when the value of a calculating member is dependent on a member that Essbase has not yet calculated. In these cases, Essbase may not produce the required calculation results.

For example, consider the Product dimension shown in Figure 120, Product Dimension with Forward Calculation References, which has three forward calculation references: two shared members (P100–20 and P300–20) and one nonshared member (P500–20):

Figure 120. Product Dimension with Forward Calculation References

This image shows the Product dimension outline with three forward calculation references.

In Outline Editor, when you verify the outline, Essbase identifies shared members with forward calculation references. Verifying the outline does not identify nonshared members that have forward calculation references. You can save and use an outline containing forward calculation references.

  To verify the outline, see “Verifying Outlines” in the Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help.

Consider the five members under Diet. The members P100-20, P300-20, and P500-20 have forward calculation references:

To get accurate calculation results for P100-20, P300-20, and P500-20, change the order of members in the outline. By placing the Diet shared members after the Regular members, as shown in Figure 121, Changed Product Dimension Without Forward Calculation References, you ensure that Essbase calculates the members in the required order.

Figure 121. Changed Product Dimension Without Forward Calculation References

This image shows the Product dimension outline without forward calculation references.

Now Essbase calculates: