Shared and Private Dimensions

Shared and Private Dimensions

A dimension can be created for use in an individual cube or multiple cubes. A private dimension is a dimension created for an individual cube. In Analysis Manager, private dimensions are found in the Cube Editor tree pane. A shared dimension is a dimension that can be used by multiple cubes. In the Analysis Manager tree pane, shared dimensions appear in the Shared Dimensions folder under the database in which they are created. They also appear in the Cube Editor tree pane after they are included in the edited cube.

In the tree panes, a shared dimension is identified by the following icon.

A private dimension is identified by the following icon.

The only exceptions to this rule are virtual dimensions. A shared or private virtual dimension is always identified by the virtual dimension icon. For more information about virtual dimensions, see Virtual Dimensions.

Shared dimensions that share the same data source can be included in any cube or virtual cube in the database. By creating shared dimensions and using them in multiple cubes, you avoid the time-consuming alternative of creating duplicate private dimensions within each of the cubes.

Shared dimensions also enable the standardization of business metrics among cubes. For example, standardized shared dimensions for time and geographic location ensure that data analyzed from different cubes will be similarly organized. This becomes very important when integrating data from different aspects of a business for analysis.

See Also

Creating and Maintaining Private Dimensions

Creating Shared Dimensions