Create
a Member Property to Support a Virtual Dimension
The key to accommodating
the need to present a dimension in two axes will be the creation of a virtual
dimension, which will itself be based upon a member property that we
establish. Because the member property we need will belong to the Store
dimension, we will begin our alternations within the Shared Dimensions
folder, where we will take the following actions to accomplish our objectives:
1.
Expand the Shared
Dimensions folder within the FoodMart 2000 Analysis Services
database.
2.
Right-click
the Store dimension within the Shared Dimensions folder.
3.
Select Edit
from the context menu that appears, as depicted in Illustration 9.
Illustration 9: Select
Edit from the Context Menu ...
The Dimension Editor
opens.
4.
Expand the
lowest level in the hierarchy, Store Name.
5.
Expand the Member
Properties folder, as shown in Illustration 10.
Illustration 10: Expanded
Member Properties Folder ...
We will
be adding a new member property to those that already exist for the Store
dimension.
6.
Right-click
the expanded Member Properties folder.
7.
Select New
Member Property from the context menu that appears, as depicted in Illustration
11.
Illustration 11: Select
New Member Property ...
The Insert
Member Property dialog appears.
8.
Select store_city
as the source column for the new member property, as shown in Illustration
12.
Illustration 12: Select
Store_City as the Source Column
We will adjust
the appearance of the Store City information next, to meet the business requirement for a "City,
State" presentation.
9.
Click OK
to add the new member property.
The dialog closes, and
the Store City member property appears in the Member Properties folder,
underneath the existing member properties.
10. With the new Store City
member property selected, replace the following entry in the Source Column
box of the Properties pane - Basic tab:
"store"."store_city"
with
the following entry:
"store"."store_city"+', '+"store"."store_state"
The Source Column
box of the Properties pane - Basic tab appears as depicted in Illustration
13.
Illustration 13: The
Edited Source Column Entry ...
11. Select File -> Exit from the Dimension Editor
main menu.
A Dimension Editor
message box appears, asking if we want to save changes, as shown in Illustration
14.
Illustration 14: Click
Yes to Save Modifications to the Store Dimension
12. Click Yes to save changes to the Store dimension
and to close the Dimension Editor.
We return to Analysis
Manager, where we are now ready to create a Virtual Dimension to
support dual axis reporting with the same (Store) dimension.
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