How to create a virtual dimension based on columns

To create a virtual dimension based on columns

1. Depending on whether the virtual dimension will be shared or private, do one of the following:
   • If the virtual dimension will be shared, in the Analysis Manager tree pane, expand the database in which you want to create the virtual dimension. Right-click the Shared Dimensions folder, point to New Dimension, and then click Wizard.
     
     
   • If the virtual dimension will be private, in the Analysis Manager tree pane, right-click the cube in which you want to create the virtual dimension, and then click Edit. On the Insert menu, point to Dimension, and then click New.
2. In the Welcome step, click Next.
   
   
3. In the Choose how you want to create the dimension step, do one of the following:
   • If the dimension that will supply the columns has a single dimension table, select Star Schema: A single dimension table).
     
     
   • If the dimension that will supply the columns has multiple dimension tables, select Snowflake Schema: Multiple, related dimension tables.
4. Click Next.
   
   
5. In the Select the dimension table(s) step, select the dimension table or tables that will supply the columns for the virtual dimension. Click Next.
   
   
6. If the Create and edit joins step appears, join all tables by dragging columns to their joining columns. Click Next.
   
   
7. If the Select the dimension type step appears, select the dimension type. If you select Time dimension:
   1. In the Date column box, select the column that will be parsed to create the levels of the virtual dimension.
      
      
   2. Click Next.
      
      
   3. In the Select time levels box, select the levels for the virtual dimension.
      
      
   4. (Optional.) In the Day and Month boxes, select the starting date of the year.
      
      
   5. Click Next.

   If you select Standard dimension, click Next.

8. If the Select the levels for your dimension step appears, select the levels for the virtual dimension:
   1. For each level you want to define, beginning with the top level, in the Available columns box, select the column that defines the level, and then click >.
      
      
   2. Click Next.
9. If the Specify the member key columns step appears, select member key columns for one or more of the levels. Click Next.
   
   
10. In the Select advanced options step, choose any advanced options that may apply, and then click Next. Depending on the advanced options you select, other dialog boxes may appear.
    
    
11. In the Set Changing property step, select Changing. A virtual dimension must be a changing dimension. Click Next.
    
    
12. If the Specify ordering and uniqueness step appears, for each level, in the Order by column, select the value that determines the order by which the level's members are displayed to end users. Also, for each level, in the Keys unique and Names unique columns, specify the scope of uniqueness among the member keys and member names, respectively. Click Next.
    
    
13. If the Specify storage mode and create member groups step appears, specify a storage mode. If you select MOLAP, indicate whether to create member groups in a level inserted automatically above the dimension's lowest level. Click Next.
    
    
14. In the Finish step:
    1. In the Dimension name box, type a name up to 24 characters long.
       
       
    2. If the virtual dimension will be private, clear the Share this dimension with other cubes check box. (This check box is not displayed if you are following the procedure for a shared virtual dimension.)
       
       
    3. Click Finish.
15. In the editor tree pane, select the newly created virtual dimension.
    
    
16. If the properties pane is not expanded, expand it by clicking Properties beneath the tree pane.
    
    
17. In the properties pane, click the Advanced tab.
    
    
18. Click the Depends on Dimension property, and in the drop-down list click the dimension that supplies the columns for the virtual dimension.
    
    
19. Click the Virtual property, and in the drop-down list click True.
    
    
20. On the File menu, click Save.

See Also

Creating Virtual Dimensions