Build Cubes with Application Workbooks

Use an Excel-based application workbook to define and build an Essbase application and cube.

An application workbook provides a portable representation of the cube design. Workbook worksheets can define the application and cube, dimensions and members, member properties, data, and other cube artifacts.

This makes Excel useful not only for analyzing Essbase data, but also for describing the multidimensional model that Essbase creates.

You can use an application workbook to:

• Define the dimensions and hierarchies of a new cube.

• Specify member properties and formulas.

• Include data and other application artifacts as appropriate.

• Create an Essbase application directly from the completed workbook.

• Update an existing cube by modifying its workbook definition.

Application workbooks are particularly useful when you want the cube design in a format that can be reviewed and edited outside the Essbase web interface.

For the workbook format and supported worksheet definitions, see Application Workbooks Reference.