Specifying How Sparse Data is Handled in Financial Data Items

Definition: Sparse data

Sparse data occurs when many data cells in a financial data item contain NA values. For example, if a financial data item contains information that is dimensioned by Product and Market, it is likely that the data will be sparse because not all products are sold in all markets.

Methods for specifying how sparse data is handled

There are two methods for specifying how sparse data is handled in a Financial Analyzer database:

• Sparsity Wizard -- An automated utility that leads you through the process of defining sparsity according to a predefined set of "best practice" guidelines. The Sparsity Wizard is particularly useful if you are working with a composite dimension, which combines the values of two or more dimensions.

• Advanced method -- Displays the dimensions in the financial data item and enables you to designate a dimension as sparse.

When you choose Sparsity in the Maintain Financial Data Item dialog box, you are prompted to choose the method that you want to use.

Note: If you are not an experienced user, Oracle Corporation recommends that you use the Sparsity Wizard. If you select a dimension for sparse data handling that is not actually sparse, you may experience increased data access time and decreased data processing performance.