MDX Dimension Specification

In Essbase, a dimension is a top-level member in the hierarchy (a member with no parent). Represent a dimension in MDX using the following syntax rules.

Syntax

<dimension> :: = 
    <dimension-name-specification>
      | <member>.DIMENSION  
      | <layer>.DIMENSION
      | DIMENSION ( <member> | <layer> )

Table 4-10 Ways to Specify a Dimension in MDX

Syntax	Description
<dimension-name-specification>	A dimension name. See Description, item 1.
<member>.DIMENSION	Dimension function with a member specification as input.
<layer>.DIMENSION	Dimension function with a layer specification as input.
DIMENSION ( <member> | <layer> )	Alternate syntax. Dimension ( <member> ) has the same effect as <member>.Dimension. Dimension ( <layer> ) has the same effect as <layer>.Dimension.

Description

A dimension can be represented in the following ways:

1. Using the dimension name (the name of the top member of a dimension.) For example, [Market].

2. Using the Dimension function with a member of a dimension as input. For example, [New York].Dimension or Dimension ( [New York] ).

3. Using the Dimension function with a layer specification as input. For example, Dimension ([Market].Generations(2).Members) or {([Market].Generations(2).Members)}.Dimension.