Understanding Attributes

Attributes are properties on nodes in dimensions that describe the data in that dimension by using either an allowed value list or a node data type property that references another dimension.

The dimension being referenced by the node data type property can be an attribute dimension created specifically for this purpose or an existing registered dimension.

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Learn about working with attribute dimensions.

video icon Attribute Dimensions in Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Data Management

Note:

Attribute dimensions are supported for all sparse dimensions in Planning, Planning Modules, Financial Consolidation and Close, and Enterprise Profitability and Cost Management applications. This includes the Account dimension (if it is sparse) in Financial Consolidation and Close applications.

These types of attributes are supported in Cloud EDM:

  • Simple Attribute: a string data type property with an allowed value list that contains all of the selectable values for that attribute. This is best used for attributes with fewer values that don't change much over time. For example, a Product dimension can have a simple attribute called Color, which can contain values for Green, Blue, Yellow, and Red.
  • Attribute Dimension: a combination of a full dimension that contains the attribute values and a node data type property that references that attribute dimension from the base dimension. The attribute dimension values can be one of these types:
    • Text
    • Numeric
    • Date

    Attribute dimensions are best used for attributes with a large number of values that you want to maintain in Cloud EDM. For example, an Entity dimension can have an attribute dimension called Region, which can contain a geographical hierarchy with parent and child members.

  • Registered Dimension: a combination of an existing registered dimension that contains the attribute values and a Node data type property that references that dimension from the base dimension.

Both simple attributes and attribute dimensions are created during application registration. See Registering Cubes, Application Settings, and Dimensions.

Working with Simple Attributes

You create simple attributes by entering an attribute name during application registration and then entering all of the values in the allowed values list for that attribute property. To modify the list of allowed values, edit the property that was created for the simple attribute during registration. See Editing Property Parameters.

Working with Attribute Dimensions

When you register an attribute dimension during application registration, a full dimension for that attribute dimension is created with its own data chain, binding, and viewpoint. The viewpoint for the attribute dimension is added to the default view for the application and can be used to manage the nodes in the attribute dimension. A node data type property is also created that you can use to reference the attribute dimension from a base dimension.

Considerations

  • Attribute dimensions of type Numeric and Date have format validations applied on bottom nodes. That is, all bottom nodes must be either numeric or in a valid date format, depending on the attribute dimension type.

    Note:

    When you add a parent node to a Numeric or Date type attribute dimension, a validation message may be displayed even if you selected a parent node type. The validation error will be resolved after you add a child node under the parent and then re-validate the request.
  • Attribute dimensions can be imported and exported from Planning, Planning Modules, Financial Consolidation and Close, and Enterprise Profitability and Cost Management applications.

    Note:

    When you export attribute dimensions, only the Default alias table is included in the export file.

Working with Registered Dimensions

When you add a registered dimension as an attribute dimension, a node data type property is created to reference the registered dimension.

Registered dimensions that are used as attribute dimensions can be imported and exported from Planning, Planning Modules, Financial Consolidation and Close, and Enterprise Profitability and Cost Management applications.

Tip:

This can be used when an attribute of a dimension needs to refer to itself, for example, the triangulation currency of a Currency dimension.