Custom reference data (dimensions)
The tasks below can only be performed by users assigned to the Admin or Budget Process Owner roles. For additional information on roles, see Frontdoor permissions and roles.
Apptio planning applications support custom dimensions, custom lists, and editing the schema of line-item tables. You can do the following:
- Create up to 13 custom dimensions to extend built-in dimensions (see Planning applications: Manage reference data). Use custom dimensions to define the data category sets that extend and enhance your financial planning and analysis. For example, create a custom dimension to associate multiple attributes like Business Initiative with WBS Code.
- Create custom lists to define a single attribute's allowable values. For example, you can create a Status list with values such as Screened, Interviewed, and Hired to be added to the Labor line-item table. See Custom Lists for more information.
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Customize the line-item tables' schema that map to tabs of the Expenses view:
To access custom dimensions and custom data:
In the navigation menu, select Configuration > Schema.
What is the difference between Custom Dimensions and Custom Lists?
| Custom Dimensions | Custom Lists |
|---|---|
| Use custom dimensions to define the data category sets that extend and enhance your financial planning and analysis. | Use custom lists to define a single attribute's allowable values. |
| Custom dimensions can include custom attributes, which contain supplemental information which are closely related to the dimension. | Custom lists do not include custom attributes. |
| To create a custom dimension you can import values using Costing Standard integration. | To create a custom list you must enter the values manually. |
|
You can rename columns in Reference Data. Learn more about renaming a column. • When the column is renamed, users see the new name in line-item table column headers. |
You cannot rename the column in custom lists. |
| You can filter a custom dimension on a line-item table. | You cannot filter a custom list on a line-item table. |
| You can create a maximum of 13 custom dimensions. | You can create an unlimited number of custom lists. |
Manage custom dimensions
Download and populate custom dimension table templates
You can import reference data from Costing Standard. When you import reference data, Planning imports the most recent reference dataset regardless of the active date setting in Costing Standard. See Integrate with Cost Transparency.
- In the navigation menu, select Configuration > Reference Data.
- Select Custom Dimensions tab.
- Select a table, and then select
>Export. -
In the Export file window, under Format options, you can change the format of the exported data.
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Select Export. The reference data is exported as a .csv file.
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Open the downloaded .csv template file, then add the additional attributes you want.
NOTE: Do not change the column headings or structure of this template, as it represents a required data structure.
- Save the template in .csv format for import into your Apptio planning application.
Create, import, and publish a new custom dimension
After you've created the .csv file with the dimension values you want, you can create the custom dimension, and then upload the values from your .csv file into the dimension.
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To create new custom dimension, see Add and manage custom attributes of dimensions.
- Next to the new custom dimension, click Import New.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the data import process. Examine and verify your
imported data:
- If your data looks correct and you want to make it available in plans, click Publish.
- If you see problems with your data and need to troubleshoot before publishing, click Revert.
Delete a custom dimension
To delete a custom dimension, see Delete a reference data table column