Procedure: Examine Attribute Name Property Settings in Analysis Services 2005
In the practice procedures that
follow, we will select and examine a representative dimension attribute
within the sample cube, and then focus upon the Name property settings
that define and support the selected attribute. We will perform our practice
sessions within the SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio,
from which we will examine the dimension attribute Name property within
our Analysis Services database, ANSYS065_Basic AS DB.
In Dimensional Model Components:
Dimensions Part I and II, and Dimensional Attributes: Introduction and Overview Parts I through V, respectively, we overviewed the properties
underpinning Database and Cube dimensions, and then examined the properties
supporting dimension attributes. In Attribute Member Keys – Pt I:
Introduction and Simple Keys, and
in Attribute Member Keys – Pt II:
Composite Keys we focused upon those properties
for a simple attribute key and a composite attribute key,
respectively. Just as we did in those articles, we will examine the detailed
settings for a representative attribute member here, concentrating on those settings within the context of the
member Name. To access these settings for the attribute member within a representative dimension,
we will need to open that dimension within the Dimension Designer
first.
1.
Within the Solution
Explorer, right-click the Time dimension (expand the Dimensions
folder as necessary).
2.
Click Open
on the context menu that appears, as shown in Illustration 3.
Illustration 3: Opening the Dimension via the Dimension Designer ...
The
tabs of the Dimension Designer open.
3.
Click the Dimension
Structure tab, if we have not already arrived there by default.
The attributes belonging to the Time dimension appear as depicted in
Illustration 4.
Illustration 4: The Member Attributes, Time Dimension
We
note that eight attributes appear within the Attributes pane.
Let's get some exposure to the Name property settings associated with attribute members
by examining a representative member among the attributes we see
here.
Review Attribute Name Property Settings
In Dimensional Attributes: Introduction and Overview Part V, and as a part of our more
detailed exploration in Attribute
Member Keys – Pt I: Introduction and Simple Keys, and in Attribute
Member Keys – Pt II: Composite Keys
we discovered that, within the Source properties of every attribute member lays the Name property. Let’s examine the
property and the underlying NameColumn settings for the Month Name attribute, which is supported
by a composite
key
within the sample Analysis Services database, by taking the
following steps.
1.
Within the Attributes
pane of the Dimension Structure tab, right-click the Month
Name attribute.
2.
Click Properties
on the context menu that appears, as shown in Illustration 5.
Illustration 5: Select Properties from the Context Menu ...
The Properties
pane appears for the Month Name attribute. (The Properties pane
likely appeared when we selected the Month Name attribute within the Attributes pane,
by default, below the Solution Explorer. It also may have been hidden,
set up to “float” within the Studio, or to be anchored elsewhere.) The
design environment can, of course, be customized in many ways to accommodate
your local environment and development needs.)
3.
Expand the Source
group, at the bottom of the Properties pane, by clicking the “+”
sign that appears to the immediate left of its label, if necessary, as depicted
in Illustration 6.
Illustration 6: Expand the Source Group in the Properties Pane
The expanded Source properties group of the Properties
pane for the Month Name attribute appears as shown in Illustration 7.
Illustration 7: The Source Properties for the Month Name Attribute
Let's
take a look at the Name property (and its “subproperties”), as relevant
to the Month Name attribute, discussing the purpose of the property,
and examining possible settings with which we can come into contact.
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