Extracting Dimension Members to an External File

You can extract dimension members from your Narrative Reporting application to perform some of the following tasks:

• Manually update the extracted files, and then reimport the files back into the application.

• Create a backup copy on a regular basis.

• Reload the extracted files to another system.

Note:

To extract data for individual members or models, see Extract, Load, and Clear Data.

By default, the extracted files are formatted as text files. The extracted file is downloaded from the browser, so you can save the file on your local file system.

Caution:

If you have an existing application, as a best practice, Oracle recommends that you create an extract as a backup before loading new or modified dimensions and members.

To perform the load operation, users must have Administer permission for the dimension that they are extracting. For more information on setting permissions, see Grant Access.

To extract metadata to an external file:

1. From the Home page, open the application, and then the Dimensions and Models tab.
2. For the dimension for which you want to extract the members to an external data source, select the drop-down beside the dimension name, and then select Extract Members.
   
   
   
3. On the Extract Members dialog box, enter a name for the extract file.
   
   
   
4. Under Extract Options, select the File Delimiter Character that you are using in the preformatted file to identify the separate fields:

   • Tab

   • Space

   • Comma

   • Colon (:)

   • Semicolon (;)

   Note:

   If you need to use a comma in the file, then enclose the comma in quotation marks.

5. Select the Text Qualifier that you are using in the preformatted file to enclose text that is to be loaded as a word or string (for example, "Product", or ‘California’ or "Bicycle Parts"), using one of the following characters:

   • Double Quotation Marks (")

   • Single Quotation Marks (')

   Note:

   If you use an apostrophe in a member name (for example, Member’s Equity), then use double quotation marks as the text qualifier, for example, "Member’s Equity."

6. Click Extract Members to begin the operation, then select Save File on the Opening dialog box, and then click OK to save the extract file to your local file system. Note the location so you can locate the file when the extract is finished.
7. Navigate to that location on your local file system to view the extracted file. Open the file using Excel or a text editor, such as TextPad, Notepad, and so on.

Example 6-1 Extract File Example

Here is an example of an extract file for the Fiscal Calendar dimension in the Sample Application. The member dimension properties are displayed, such as:

• Name

• Parent

• Alias: Default

• Consolidation

• Data Storage