Essbase can store dimension member names, locations, relationships, and characteristics of members.
Example: The product dimension may indicate that in Women's Apparel, Shirts and Blouses, there is a cotton T-shirt product. An attribute indicates whether each cotton T-shirt is red, cyan, lime, or pink.
Example: The Market dimension may indicate that there is a franchise store in Biloxi, Mississippi. An attribute indicates that the store is 2,500 square feet.
Attributes are stored in the same manner as dimension members. Attribute dimensions are displayed beside the conventional dimensions that they modify in Data Layout. It is important to note that attribute dimensions are labeled and function differently though.
To include attribute dimensions in the query, you must select the attribute dimension itself.
To select conventional dimension members using attributes, you must select the conventional dimension, and use the Select Attribute advanced member selection method.
To select dimension members by their attributes:
Right-click a dimension member in the Dimension Browser, and select Select Attribute.
Select an attribute dimension from the Select Attribute sub menu.
The Select Attribute dialog box is displayed for the selected attribute dimension.
Select a dimension member attribute from the Select Attribute frame.