Build Dimension

Run a dimension build. Building dimensions in Essbase is the process of loading dimensions and members to a cube outline using a data source and a rule file.

Building dimensions requires at least Database Manager permission.

This procedure covers how to build dimensions using the File load type. SQL and Datasource types are also available. For information on loading different sources of data, see Define Rules that Query External Sources.

To build a dimension:

1. On the Applications page, click Jobs.
2. From the New Job menu, select Build Dimension.
3. For Application, choose an application.
4. For Database, choose a cube.
5. Click the Actions menu to the right of the Script field and select a rule file.
6. Select the File load type.
7. Click the actions menu to the right of the Data File field to select a data file.
8. Choose a restructure option.
   • Preserve All Data: Preserves all existing data.
   • Preserve No Data: Discards existing data (valid for block storage and aggregate storage cubes).
   • Preserve Leaf Level Data: Preserves data in existing level 0 blocks (block storage only). If you select this option, all upper-level blocks are deleted before the cube is restructured. After restructure, only data in level 0 blocks remains.
   • Preserve Input Data: Preserves existing input-level blocks (block storage only).
9. Select Force Dimension Build if you want to forcibly quit all ongoing jobs on that database and run the dimension build job. If you don't select this option, dimension build jobs fail if there are other active jobs on the database.