Retrieving Data Using Functions

The Essbase cell retrieve function, EssCell, retrieves one database value into a cell. You can enter an EssCell function directly into a worksheet or select an EssCell function from the worksheet menu bar. You must be connected to a database to use EssCell.

To retrieve data using the EssCell function:

Select the cell in the worksheet where you want to retrieve data
Enter the function using this syntax:
```
=EssCell(mbrList) 
```
Where mbrList is one of these:
- A null value—If the parameters of the function are empty, Essbase returns the data value from the top of each dimension.
- A comma-separated list of member names—Member names must be enclosed in double quotation marks, with only one member per dimension allowed. If you omit members from a dimension, the function returns the data value from the top member of each unspecified dimension. You can include alias names in the member list.
- A worksheet cell reference—The reference must point to a cell containing a member name. Member names, such as 200 and 300-10, must be formatted as text cells, rather than numeric cells.
Select Essbase, and then Options.
To preserve the formula, in Mode, select Retain on Retrieval.
Click OK.
Select Essbase, and then Retrieve.

EssCell retrieves data when you perform a retrieval or recalculate the worksheet through the spreadsheet.

Tip:	If the worksheet contains many EssCell functions, change the spreadsheet to manual calculation mode (see the Excel documentation). This change prevents the cells that contain EssCell functions from calculating until you retrieve data or calculate the worksheet manually.

If EssCell is unsuccessful, Essbase returns one of these error messages in the cell containing the EssCell function:

#N/A—Worksheet not connected to a database.
#VALUE!—Invalid member name in list or reference.
#NAME?—Text name in the function was not double-quoted.
Note:
You must enclose all member names (including numeric member names) and NULL in double quotation marks.

To enter an EssCell function into a worksheet using the Excel Function Wizard:

From the Excel menu bar, select Insert, and then Function.
From the Function Category list, select Essbase Add-in.
The Excel Function Wizard instructs you in defining the EssCell function.