Retrieving Multidimensional Data

A multidimensional database supports multiple views of data sets for users who must analyze the relationships between data categories. These data categories are called dimensions. A dimension can contain an unlimited number of members.

For example, the Product dimension may contain various product names as its members. The intersection of one member from each of the dimensions represents a data value in the database.

To use Essbase to work with data, you must connect fromSpreadsheet Add-in to a server and a database containing data (see Logging On to Essbase). See the Essbase System Administrator for connection and access information.

The Retrieve command extracts data from the server and displays the data in Spreadsheet Add-in. Each time you retrieve information from a server, Essbase performs four distinct operations:

Spreadsheet Add-in requests data from the server.
The server processes the request and prepares the data.
The server transmits the data to Spreadsheet Add-in.
Spreadsheet Add-in receives the data from Essbase and organizes it in the worksheet.

To help you monitor these operations, Essbase uses three custom cursors in Spreadsheet Add-in:

—Essbase is requesting information from the server.
—The server is processing the request.
—The server is returning data.
Note:
Less complex operations display the cursors very quickly; you may not notice changes in the direction of the arrow when retrieving small amounts of data.

See the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide.