Understanding Build Methods

The dimension build method determines the algorithm Essbase uses to build or modify dimensions, members, and aliases in the cube outline. Depending on the shape of your source of data, the ideal build method may reference generations, levels, parent-child, or strings.

When you build dimensions, each record (row) in the source of data defines one member of the dimension. Each record must follow the same dimensional order ("dimensionality") as the other records.

This image illustrates the concept of records and fields in a source of data, as described in the text preceding the image.

Build Method Guidelines

Use these guidelines to select the appropriate build method for the data source:

Type of Data in Each Record	Examples	Desired Operation	Build Method(1)	Field Type Information
Top-down data Each record specifies the parent’s name, the child’s name, the children of that child, and so on.	Year, Quarter, Month	Modify the properties of existing dimensions and members	Generation references	The generation number for each field.
Bottom-up data Each record specifies the name of the member, the name of its parent, the name of its parent’s parent, and so forth.	Month, Quarter, Year	Create shared members that roll up into different generations Modify the properties of existing dimensions and members	Level references	The level number for each field.
Parent followed by its child Each record specifies the name of the parent and the name of the new child member, in that order, although they can specify other information as well.	Cola, Diet Cola	Create shared members that roll up into different generations Share non-level 0 members Modify properties of existing dimensions and members	Parent-child references
A list of new members Each data source lists new members; the data source does not specify where in the outline the members belong. Essbase provides algorithms that determine where to add these members.	Jan, Feb, Mar, April	Add all members as children of an existing parent (possibly a “dummy” parent)	Add as child of the specified parent
	800-10, 800-20	Add all members at the end of the dimension	Add as sibling at the lowest level
	800-10, 800-20	Add each new member to the dimension that contains similar members	Add as sibling to a member with a matching string
A list of base dimension members and their attributes	Cola 16oz Can, Root Beer 14oz Bottle	Add members to an attribute dimension and associate the added members with the appropriate members of the base dimension	Generation, level, or parent-child references, depending on the organization of the source data	The number for each field. The number is either the generation or level number of the associated member of the base dimension or zero.

^Footnote 1Using a level references build, you cannot create an alias that has the same name as its member. This restriction does not apply if you use other build methods, including the generation references build method.

Selecting Build Method for a New Dimension Build Rule

When you use application workbooks to build dimensions, you specify the build method in the definitions of the dimension worksheet. For example, this definition specifies a parent-child build method.

Build method of PARENT-CHILD is specified in the Definitions section of the Product dimension worksheet

When you design a new dimension build rule in the Essbase web interface, you can select a build method when you first associate a dimension with the rule. For example,

In a new dimension build rule, click Dimensions.
Type the dimension name in the text field, and click Add.
Click the name of the dimension you just added. For example, click Product.

Select one of the build methods and click OK.

Edit Dimensions dialog in rules editor with Build Method options shown: Generation, Parent Child, Level, Add as child of, Process generation null, Process level null, Add as sibling of lowest level, and Add as sibling of matching string

The following build method options are available.

Build Method	Use Case
Generation	Using Generation References
Parent Child	Using Parent-Child References
Level	Using Level References
Add as child of	Not currently available
Process generation null	Using Generation References
Process level null	Using Level References (see "Dealing With Empty Fields)
Add as sibling of lowest level	Adding Members as Siblings of the Lowest Level
Add as sibling of matching string	Adding Members Based On String Matches

Identifying Build Method for an Existing Dimension Build Rule

When you view or edit a dimension build rule in the Essbase web interface, examine the order and type of fields typically indicate the build method that was used. For example, the fields in this load rule are ordered and typed to specify a parent-child build method.

Build method of parent child indicated by the type and order of fields in the rule editor: parent typed field comes first, followed by child.

To check the build method in the rule settings,

Click Dimensions.
Click the name of the dimension this rule is associated with. For example, click Product.
The build method is visible on the General tab.

Exporting an Existing Cube with a Different Build Method

You can export any cube to an application workbook, and select a new build method upon export. Export supports Parent-Child and Generation build methods.

On the Applications page, expand the application.
From the Actions menu, to the right of the cube name, click Export To Excel.
Select the build method.
Select one of the build methods and click OK.