Understanding Effects

Any data cube that is affected by another data cube is an effect or dependent of that data cube. A data cube can be a direct effect or an indirect effect of another data cube. A direct effect uses the data cube in its formula. An indirect effect does not use the data cube in its formula, but it is part of the chain of calculations that are affected by the data cube.

Again, suppose the GROSS_MARGIN and NET_INCOME data cubes contain these formulas:

• Formula for the GROSS_MARGIN data cube:

  SALES - COST_OF_GOODS

• Formula for the NET_INCOME data cube:

  GROSS_MARGIN - TOTAL_EXPENSE

GROSS_MARGIN is a direct effect of SALES because it uses SALES in its formula. NET_INCOME is an indirect effect of SALES because it is affected by GROSS_MARGIN, which in turn is affected by SALES.

You can display either the direct or direct plus indirect effects of a data cube to view the consequences of a data cube's values.