Generate pick lists for selected cells in the cube viewer

A user in the modeling workbench can now create pick lists in the cube viewer by selecting one or more cells and generating a pick list for them. This is a simpler method of setting up pick lists comparing to the previously used (and still supported) methods.

The users are guided to create the pick list. The type of pick list that the user can generate depends on the type of cell that the pick list is created in. For numeric cells, the pick list is typically a range of numbers that the user can select from. For string cells, the pick list is a static list and the user can quickly enter and edit the list of items. For hierarchies and subsets, the user can select from an existing dimension and hierarchy.

Follow these steps to create this new type of pick lists:

  1. In the cube viewer, select a single cell or multiple cells of the same type (string or numeric).

    Right-click the cell, and in the menu locate the Set picklist option.

    If this option is not active, the cell cannot be used to create a pick list. Pick lists cannot be created for the following types of cells: rule-based calculations, consolidations, read-only cells, or when the cells are of different types (in a multi-selection).
    Set picklist menu option
  2. Click the Set picklist option.
    In the dialog box that appears, select the pick list type to create:
    • None - clear the pick list if it already exists for the selected cell
    • Static - specify pick list values
    • Hierarchy - use all hierarchy members, or a subset of members, as pick list values
    Set picklist dialog box
  3. If you select the Static type, the dialog box that is displayed depends on the cell data type.

    The following dialog box is displayed for string cells. Click Add value to specify the pick list values.

    Create a static pick list based on a string cell

    The following dialog box is displayed for numeric cells. In this case, you can click Add value to type the pick list values, or click Add range to specify value ranges.

    Create a static pick list based on a numeric cell
  4. If you select the Hierarchy type, the following dialog box is displayed.
    Create a hierarchy pick list

    Select a dimension first, and then a hierarchy. The dimension type has two options, Dimension and Control dimension. The Set option is just a case of the hierarchy option. In this case, the pick list is tied to a subset.

For more information, see Pick lists.