Accessing Multidimensional Data Using the OLAP_TABLE Function

One way to access multidimensional data is by using the OLAP_TABLE function. The OLAP_TABLE function is a predefined table function that returns a table of objects that map to analytic workspace data.

Before you can access multidimensional data using the OLAP_TABLE function, you must take the following steps:

1. Confirm that the analytic workspace has the necessary objects to support the use of the OLAP_TABLE function and define any additional objects as described in "Preparing an Analytic Workspace for Access by OLAP_TABLE".
2. In SQL, define an object types to represent the analytic workspace structures as a relational table as described in "Creating Object Type Definitions Used by OLAP_TABLE".

Once you have created type definitions and defined the necessary analytic workspace objects, you can make selections of that data using a SELECT statement with the OLAP_TABLE function which works like a regular table function. By using it within a SELECT statement you can select data from the analytic workspace or create a view of analytic workspace data.

The simplified syntax for using the OLAP_TABLE function in a SQL SELECT statement is shown below:

SELECT * FROM TABLE(OLAP_TABLE 
     (aw-attach, table-name, olap-command, limit-map)) 
   AS table-name;

Additionally, by coding the OLAP_TABLE function directly in a SELECT statement of a CREATE VIEW command, you can create a relational view of analytic workspace data without using the CWM2_OLAP_AW_ACCESS PL/SQL package.

For the complete syntax of the OLAP_TABLE function, see "Syntax: OLAP_TABLE Function". For an example of its use, see "Example: Using the OLAP_TABLE Function".