Creating a Shared Dimension with the Editor
You can use Dimension Editor to create new shared dimensions such as regular dimensions from single or multiple relational tables or virtual dimensions; you can also create new shared dimensions with multiple hierarchies in Dimension Editor. However, you cannot use Dimension Editor to create new parent-child dimensions or data mining dimensions; you must create these using the Dimension Wizard.
In Dimension Editor, you select several options for the shared dimension: data source, dimension table, and dimension levels.
The data source that you select should contain the tables and columns that define the shared dimension. A data source name identifies a database resource and parameters for its usage.
The dimension table or tables that you select should contain the column or columns you want in your shared dimension. A dimension table is a table that contains a dimension's members. It is a peripheral table joined to a central fact table in a cube's schema.
Select the levels you want in your shared dimension. Each level is defined by a column. Levels within a regular shared dimension are organized hierarchically. For example, in a Location dimension, the levels are Country, State, and City. The values (that is, members) in each level determine the column and row headings that end users see when they browse the cube with a tabular browser. (In graphical browsers, end users see other types of descriptive labels produced by the members. For example, each member produces a value on the scale of an axis.) You can modify the properties of the dimension and its levels.
To create a shared dimension using Dimension Editor