Building the OLAP query offline

Building an OLAP query offline means that you will retrieve data from your cube data source only when you have finished building or making changes to your OLAP query.

About this task

You use the Layout page to build an OLAP query offline. You will initiate running the OLAP query when you select the Results tab.

To build an OLAP query offline:

Procedure

  1. Double-click a cube in your workspace or open an existing OLAP query. The OLAP query opens in the editor window.
  2. An OLAP query has four tabs that run across the bottom. Select the Layout tab. The Layout page opens. It includes the Cube Structure tree and the Query structure tree.
  3. The Cube Structure tree lists the dimensions and measures that are contained in the cube.
  4. The Query Structure tree lists the dimensions and measures that have been selected for inclusion in the OLAP query. The Query Structure tree consists of three elements:
    • Top Dimensions: The dimension values that are included in this node are displayed across the top of the query results with data summarized.
    • Side Dimensions: The dimension values that are included in this node are displayed along the side of the query results (starting in the first column) as a line of summary data.
    • Measures display in the query results as a column of data.
  5. To select a measure for inclusion in the OLAP query, click the measure in the Cube Structure tree. With the mouse button pressed, drag the measure to the Measures node of the Query Structure tree. Position the measure in the node in the same location as where you want the value to appear in the query results. Release the mouse button.
  6. To select a dimension for inclusion in the OLAP query as a top or side dimension, click the dimension in the Cube Structure tree. With the mouse button pressed, drag the dimension to the Top Dimensions or Side Dimensions node of the Query Structure tree. Position the dimension in the node in the same order as you want its values to appear in the query results. Release the mouse button. Only dimensions can be used as top or side groups.
  7. To remove a measure or dimension from the Query Structure tree, select it from the tree, drag it, and drop it back in the Cube Structure tree.
  8. Click the Results tab to run the OLAP query. The OLAP query is run and the results are displayed on the Results page.