Create a Formula Component

You can create a formula component from the System View or from within the Rule Designer. A formula component exists as an independent object in the database and can be shared among the allocation rules.

Scenario

To create a formula component for an Essbase application:

1. In the System View, expand the Essbase Application Type, the Application, and Database.

2. Right-click Formulas, and select New.

3. Enter the formula name.

4. Enter the Application Type (Essbase).

5. Select an Application Name. The application name must be a valid Essbase application.

6. Select the Essbase Database.

7. Click OK. The formula is displayed in the Component Designer.

8. In the Component Designer, select Properties, and complete the following steps:

   • Optional: By default a formula is shared when you create it, you cannot select or clear the Shared check box.

     Note: To create a formula that is not shared, open an allocation rule, and then drag a new formula component into the allocation rules flow chart. The shared check box is not selected. If you want to make the formula shared, select the Shared check box.

   • Optional: Edit the formula's name by entering a new one of up to 50 characters. (The name defaults from the New Formula dialog).

     Note: Names of members in Essbase aggregate storage applications need not be unique. If there is a name that is not unique, it is flagged when the object in which the member is used is validated. If this occurs, you must enter the full path for the member. The full path syntax is [Dimension name]. [Parent name]. [Member name.]

   • Optional: Enter a description of up to 255 characters for the formula.

   • Optional: Enter a caption for the formula. The caption is displayed in the Rule Designer flow chart.

     Note: If you don't enter a caption, the component's name is displayed in the flow chart.

   • Optional: Enter comments for the formula. For example, you may want to tell users how the formula component should be used.

9. On Formula, enter a caption for the formula.

10. Optional: From Offset Member, if you want the total amount of all of the formulas in the formula component to be written to an offset member, or a cross dimension member, click the Ellipsis icon to select a member.

    Note: You can define an offset member manually within the formulas you create. The offset defined in the formula component is calculated as the sum of all calculated amounts.

11. To create a formula statement, click in the first formula statement row before the equal sign. Then enter a member or cross dimension member selection, or click Actions to select a:

    • Variable

    • Member

12. To complete the formula statement, click in the row after the equal sign. Then enter a member or cross dimension member selection, or click Actions to select a:

    • Variable

    • Member

13. Optional: For each formula statement row, click the Comments icon to enter comments about the formula statement. Click OK.

14. On the Usages tab, you can view the rules that use the formula component.

    Note: The formation on this tab can't be edited.

15. Select File and Save.