Essbase includes MDX-based syntax checking that tells you about syntax errors in formulas. For example, Essbase tells you if you have mistyped a function name or specified a nonexistent member. Unknown names can be validated against a list of function names. If you are not connected to Essbase Server or to the application associated with the outline, Essbase may connect you to validate unknown names.
Syntax checking occurs when you save a formula. Errors are displayed in the Messages panel. If an error occurs, you choose to save or not save the formula. If you save a formula with errors, you are warned when you verify or save the outline. When you calculate a formula with errors, the formula is ignored and the member is given a value of $MISSING.
A syntax checker cannot warn you of semantic errors in a formula. Semantic errors occur when a formula does not work as you expect. One way to find semantic errors in a formula is to place the numeric value expression that defines the formula into a query and run the query to verify that the results are as you expect. See Using MDX Formulas to see how to place a formula into a query.
You can use MDX Script Editor to create a query. MDX Script editor provides features such as color coding and autocompletion of MDX syntax. See “About MDX Script Editor” in the Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help.