Defining Shared Members

To include a value under more than one parent in the same database, Essbase enables you to use shared members. For example, in the Sample Basic database, the Diet Cola member (100-20) rolls up to the value for Colas. When you define a shared member for 100-20 under Diet Drinks, the value for 100-20 is included in the reported total for Diet Drinks as well.  

You should always place a shared member lower in the outline tree than the actual member.

When using shared members, consider that shared member values are present multiple times in the outline, potentially distorting the consolidation of the database. To prevent distorting the consolidation of the database, you may want to set the consolidation property of the shared member or of its parent or of a higher ancestor to (~) Ignore.

Note:

There are different strategies and restrictions to consider when using shared members in aggregate storage outlines versus block storage outlines. For information about alternate hierarchies and using shared members in aggregate storage outlines, see the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide. For information about using shared members in block storage outlines, see the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide.

  To define a shared member in the outline tree:

  1. Add a member to a dimension.

  2. Give the member a name that duplicates another member name in the dimension.

  3. Select the member, right-click, and select Edit member properties.

  4. In the Member Properties dialog box, select the Information tab.

  5. In the Data storage drop-down list, select Shared Member.

  6. Click OK.

    In outlines that allow duplicate member names, if more than two members have the same name as the member you tag as shared, the Duplicate Shared Member dialog box opens.

  7. If the Duplicate Shared Members dialog box is displayed, in the Base Members column, double-click the duplicate member that you want to be the basis for the shared member.

    When you double-click the member, it is added to the Shared Members column.

  8. Click OK to close the dialog box.

    You can change the base member later in the Member Properties Dialog Box.

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