Converting query subjects into dimensions

You can convert a query subject into a regular dimension or a measure dimension when you want to use features associated with dimensions, such as defining hierarchies and levels. A model query subject becomes a model dimension.

While you can convert data source query subjects to data source dimensions, data source dimensions have limited functionality in comparison to query subjects or model dimensions. Discontinue using data source dimensions, both regular and measure. Create new models to use query subjects as the relational foundation of the model. Define regular and measure dimensions as model objects based on data source query subjects or model query subjects or both. Guidance on migration for existing users of data source dimensions will be provided in a future release.

If the query subject has determinants specified for it, the keys you specified for each determinant is used to build a hierarchy with a business key for each level. The determinants form one hierarchy. The first string attribute for each determinant is used for the business caption. If the caption is not the attribute you want to use, you must change it manually.

Converting a query subject into a dimension is simply a starting point. Examine each dimension that is created this way to ensure that it reflects your requirements.

You can also convert a dimension into a query subject Converting regular dimensions into query subjects.

You cannot use determinants to create separate hierarchies for the dimension. You must create the separate hierarchies for the dimension after converting the query subject.

You cannot convert the following to dimensions:

• Query sets
• Stored procedure query subjects
• SAP BW query subjects