Designer object

 

Basic object for any OLAP client is Designer. The Designer will help you to see all the data structures

and individual elements in the currently selected OLAP cube, prepare and then execute a new MDX query.

 

The Designer has three (3) main parts:

 

·          Cube structure explorer                                    left-hand side docking window

·          Designer with additional controls                   bottom docking window, and

·          Query Result Form                                              place where result will be displayed (in the middle)

 

Cube Explorer

                                                                                              The Cube explorer consists of six (6) different areas (tabs):

 

·          Standard dimensions

·          Time dimensions

·          Measures

·          KPIs

·          Named sets

·          Member properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MDX Query definition area

 

MDX Query definition area takes the most part in the main display area. It is located on the bottom of the window.

Here you have three (3) tabs:

 

·          Member Data

o         Row data

o         Column data

o         Filter condition

o         Measure data

·          Set Functions

o         Row Set Functions

o         Column Set Functions

·          Member Property

 

The most of the time, at least at the beginning, you will stay with first tab Member Data.

Member data

Member data tab is place where you add all the elements you need for you MDX query. It has four (4) different columns:

 

·          Row data                                                elements that will be displayed in rows

·          Column data                                          elements that will be displayed in columns

·          Filter data                                               elements that will be used as filters

·          Measure data (data area)                  measures that will be used in MDX query

 

Query can be created by selecting some items from the cube structure part and placing it into any of above

mentioned columns. For instance, if you want to see the results of your query in such a way that some item

taken from the cube structure is supposed to be displayed in rows, you would find that item and drag it to the

row data column in the designer. In addition instead of drag-and-drop technique you can use a popup-menu that

will appear on right hand mouse click and select one of the options.

 

Additional explanation is needed for Data area.

In CubePlayer exists predefined place for measures.

 

  

 

Default place for Measures is in Columns.

However if you need to place your measures in Rows just click on label Measures in …

Once changed, it will be applied immediately but only for this Designer object.

To change for each designer object got to menu Tools-Configuration-Designer and change there.

We have done it this way, because most of users in most of cases will place measures in Columns.

Therefore, when you are selecting Measures you can do it with simple double-click on each measure

without need for dragging. Measures will be always placed in Data area. If you want to place you measures in Rows,

please go to tab General and select Measures in Rows.

 

Dimension Functions

 

Dimension Functions are MDX functions applied to the group of elements (levels or members) from

the same dimension hierarchy within one axis (rows or columns).

To select appropriate OLAP function, select blue function icon inside row or column axis title bar

 

 

You will get a list of available dimensions.

 

 

After selecting dimension/hierarchy continue with selecting functions.

Select one from the list and same dialog, as for Se functions, will appear.

 

 

After selection of function parameters select Accept to apply function.

On each axis, once dimension function is applied icon will change color from default to red .

This way you will always be notified about the function presence.

 

Dimension functions can be easily removed and edited.

 

User can apply any number of functions per one dimension/hierarchy.

 

Inner Functions

 

Inner Functions are MDX functions applied to the only one element (level or member) or

CP special member inside one axis (rows or columns).

User can combine any number of functions.

 

To select appropriate Inner function:

 

·          select element inside row or column axis

·          right click your mouse

·          select Inner function from popup menu

 

 

Dialog will appear:

 

 

After selection of function parameters select Accept to apply function.

On each axis, once inner function have been applied, particular member or level icon will change to red .

This way you will always be notified about the function presence.

 

Set Functions (external or axis functions)

 

Set Functions tab is used to define OLAP functions. Those functions (so called outer or axis functions) will be applied

 to row or column axis. Tab has two (2) different columns:

 

·          Row set functions                                                               location for functions to be applied to row

·          Column set functions                                         location for functions to be applied to column

 

To apply the function simply select Row or Column area and right click your mouse. Popup-menu will appear:

 

·          New set function                                                  to select new function

·          Edit                                                                          to edit previous definition

·          Delete                                                                     to delete existing function

·          Move up                                                                  to move up function and change order

·          Move down                                                            to move down function and change order.

 

Select New set function and dialog will appear:

 

 

Select appropriate OLAP function, set appropriate parameters and select Accept.

Other, more easier way to do it is to select function icon inside row or column axis title bar

 

 

You will get a list of available function.

 

 

Select one from the list and same dialog, as previous one, will appear. After selection of function parameters select

Accept to apply function.

 

On each axis, once function is applied icon will change color from default to red .

This way you will always be notified about the function presence.

 

Member properties

Next tab is Member properties tab. Similar to the named sets, member properties (sometimes referred to as: extended

member properties) are another high-level feature available on the Microsoft OLAP server. Specifically, your administrator

can create any number of predefined member property definitions on the server. Those definitions do contain data, and

you can use them to significantly improve the power of the Designer. As you might have expected, CubePlayer supports

working with member properties directly in the Designer. But, its capabilities do not stop at the simple possibility of including

some member properties in your final results. With CubePlayer you can easily filter your data by existing

member properties! Whenever you add some item from the currently opened OLAP cube to the rows or columns,

CubePlayer checks for the presence of any member properties. All found member property definitions are then

listed in the Cube explorer under tab Member Properties. If there are any you can notice according to the number

displayed near the label Member Properties:

 

·          zero (0)                                                                                   means no Member Properties

·          X where  it represents any number > 0                         means there are X Member Properties

 

 

You can use them similarly as you would use any other standard level, member or a measure.