New Multi-Item Join dialog

Use this dialog to create a new multi-item join, or edit an existing multi-item join. A multi-item join enables you use two or more join conditions to join two folders where there are no common items. The join becomes true when all the conditions of the join are met. For example, two folders (Emp folder and Salgrade) do not share the common items needed to create a single item join. The following multi-item join example becomes true (i.e. it joins the Emp folder to the Salgrade folder) for an employee when their salary falls within the specified salary band:

Emp.Sal >= Salgrade.LoSal

Emp.Sal <= Salgrade.HiSal

For each salary record in the Emp folder (where the salary is between lowest and the highest salary), Discoverer can display salary grade information about the employee from the Salgrade folder.

For more information, see:

"What are joins?"

"How to create single item joins"

"How to create multi-item joins"

Master folder

Use this drop down field to select the item in the master folder that you want to join. Fields are prefixed with the folder name, for example Products.Product Key.

• Choose More items to display the "New Join dialog (Choose folder)", where you can select an item from anywhere in the EUL.

Operator

Use this drop down list to select how you want to match the two items. For example, choose '=' to find an exact match between two items (see Join Operators under the Notes heading below).

Detail Folder

Use this drop down list to select the item in the detail folder that you want to join. The detail item can be in a folder in either the same business area as the master item, or in a folder in a different business area. Fields are prefixed with the folder name. For example, Sales Facts.Product Key.

• Choose More items to display the "New Join dialog (Choose folder)", where you can select an item from anywhere in the EUL.

Name

Use this field to enter the name of the join. This name is displayed in the Discoverer Administrator work area, and is used by Discoverer end users when they use workbooks.

Description

Use this field to enter additional information about the join. This description is displayed in the Discoverer Administrator Workarea, and is used by Discoverer end users when they use workbooks.

Add

Use this button to add a join criterion line to the join. Here, you can create more complex joins by selecting another master folder, operator, and detail folder.

Delete

Use this button to remove the currently selected join criterion from the join.

Options

Use this button to display the "Join Options dialog", where you configure outer joins.

Notes

Table 25-4 Join Operators

Operator	Description
=	equijoin, combining rows that have equivalent values for specified items
< >	not equal
<	less than
<=	less than or equal
>=	greater than or equal
>	greater than