Attribute Dimension Overview

    We can use attribute dimensions to retrieve and analyze data not only from the perspective of dimensions, but also in terms of characteristics, or attributes, of the dimensions. Essbase offers a specialized type of attribute dimension, called a varying attribute dimension. Varying attributes enable you to store changing attribute values in relation to other dimensions. 

Attribute Dimension Benefits:

          The following are a few ways that analysis by attribute provides depth and perspective, supporting better-informed decisions:

1. We can select, aggregate, and report on data based on common attributes.
2. By defining attributes as having a text, numeric, Boolean, or date type, you can filter data using type-related functions such as AND, OR, and NOT operators and <, >, and = comparisons. Only text attribute dimensions are supported in Planning databases.
3. We can use the numeric attribute type to group statistical values by attribute ranges; for example, population groupings such as <500,000, 500,000–1,000,000 and >1,000,000.
4. Through the Attribute Calculations dimension, automatically created by Essbase, we can view sums, counts, minimum or maximum values, and average values of attribute data.
5. We can perform calculations using numeric attribute values in calculation scripts and member formulas.
6. We can create cross-tabs of attribute data for a dimension, and you can pivot and drill down for detail data in spreadsheets.

         An attribute cross-tab is a report or spreadsheet showing data consolidations across attributes of the same dimension. Although we can create multilevel attribute hierarchies, they can have a serious impact on database and retrieval performance and should be avoided.

Attribute Calculations Dimension: 

            When we create the first attribute dimension in the outline, Essbase creates the Attribute Calculations dimension, which includes five members with the default names Sum, Count, Min (minimum), Max (maximum), and Avg (average). We can use the members in spreadsheets or reports to dynamically calculate and report on attribute data.
          The Attribute Calculations dimension is not visible in the outline. However in certain Oracle reporting tools that have been customized to work with Essbase, we can observe the presence of Attribute Calculations wherever we select dimension members, such as in the Member Selection dialog box in Financial Reporting or in Web Analysis.

The Attribute Calculations dimension has the following properties:

1. System-defined. Essbase creates the Attribute Calculations dimension and its five members automatically. We cannot add or delete members.
2. Label only. Like all label only dimensions, the Attribute Calculations dimension shares the value of its first child, Sum. When we view an attribute member in a report, you are effectively viewing the Sum calculations, whether or not the Sum member is displayed.
3. Dynamic Calc. The data in the Attribute Calculations dimension is calculated when a user requests it, and then it is discarded. You cannot store calculated attribute data in a database.
4. Not displayed in Outline Editor. The Attribute Calculations dimension is not displayed in Outline Editor. Members from this dimension can be viewed in spreadsheets and reports and managed on the Properties tab in Outline Editor.

There is no consolidation along attribute dimensions. We cannot tag members from attribute dimensions with consolidation operators or with member formulas to calculate attribute data.