Create and Update a Cube from Tabular Data

In this workflow, you’re using the sample tabular data Excel file named Sample_Table.xlsx, which uses intrinsic column headers. See Transform Tabular Data to Cubes.

1. In the Essbase web interface, click Files.
2. On the Files page, open Gallery, then Technical, and then Table Format.
3. From the Actions menu, next to Sample_Table.xlsx click Download.
4. Save the file to a local drive.
5. To create a cube: On the Applications page, click Import.
   1. On the Import dialog box, click File Browser and browse to Sample_Table.xlsx.
   2. Open Sample_Table.xlsx.
      The application and cube names are pre-populated. The application name is based on the source file name without the extension (in this example, Sample_Table) and the cube name is based on the worksheet name (in this example, Sales).

      • (Optional) You can change the application and cube names on this dialog box.

      • (Required) If an existing application matches the name of the application that you’re importing, then you must ensure that the cube name is unique. For example, if there is already an application named Sample_Table with a cube named Sales, then you’re prompted to rename the cube.

   3. (Optional) Modify the cube type and the type of dimensions to be created.
      In the Redwood Interface, you can:

      • Change the cube type. By default, cubes are set to Block storage with the Hybrid mode option. You can keep the block storage type but remove the hybrid block storage option, or you can select Aggregate storage.

      • Select Enable sandboxing, if applicable.

      • Click Show Transformations and, on the Transformations pane in the Import dialog box, enter names for the dimensions you want to rename.

      In the Classic Web Interface, click Advanced Options, and you can:

      • Change the cube type. By default, cubes are set to BSO (block storage) with the Hybrid BSO option. You can keep the block storage type but remove the hybrid block storage option, or you can select the ASO (aggregate storage).

      • Select Enable Sandboxing, if applicable.

      • Click Show Transformations and, on the Transformations pane in the Import dialog box, enter names for the dimensions you want to rename.

      • Change the dimension types.

   4. Click OK.
      The application and cube are listed on the Applications page.
   5. (Optional) View the cube outline:
      In the Redwood Interface, open the application, open the cube, and click Launch Outline.
      In the Classic Web Interface, expand the application. From the Actions menu, to the right of the cube name, launch the outline editor.
6. To update a cube with new members or additional data (as an incremental load), from an Excel file: on the Applications page, click Import.

   The tabular data must have forced designation headers, and the Excel properties must have two custom properties selected: database name and application name. Otherwise, it will use the Excel name as the application name, and sheet name as the cube name.

   1. To do the incremental load, select the file with the incremental data and load it to the cube in the application, which are specified in the Import dialog. On the Import dialog box, click File Browser, select the file to add, and click Open. A message reminds you that the cube already exists in the application.
   2. In the Classic Web Interface, click Advanced Options.
   3. For Build Option, select any update cube option, or keep the default, Update Cube — Retain All Data. Click OK.
      The cube and corresponding tabular data are updated.

You can't add shared members from tabular data.