Linking Dimensions with the Entity Relationship Model

You can link dimension levels in a dimension diagram or cube diagram by means of drag-and-drop from other tool windows or via a selection dialog for properties in the Properties tool window.

Linking a Dimension Level with Any Entity or View

Prerequisites

A dimension level can be used by multiple hierarchy levels in various hierarchies of the dimension. The link with the entity relationship model is saved at the dimension level. Each hierarchy level acts as a substitute for its dimension level for the link with the ER model.

How to proceed

  • Select the entity or view in another tool window and use drag-and-drop to drag it to the desired dimension level in the dimension diagram or to a hierarchy level in the cube diagram.

    The dimension level is linked with the attribute set. If the dimension level did not have any identification attributes beforehand, an identification attribute is generated for each primary attribute in the attribute set.

Linking a Dimension Level with an Adjacent Entity or View

Prerequisites

In the entity relationship model, adjacent attribute sets are connected by means of a relationship with an attribute set that is already linked with the top or bottom level of a dimension level.

How to proceed

  1. Select a dimension level in the dimension diagram or a hierarchy level in the cube diagram.

  2. Click on the button in the Entity or View property's row in the Properties tool window.

    The selection dialog opens and offers all adjacent attribute sets for selection.

  3. Select the attribute set and confirm with OK.

    The dimension level is linked with the attribute set.

    If the dimension level did not have any identification attributes beforehand, an identification attribute is generated for each primary attribute in the attribute set.

    If there is a unique relationship between the two adjacent attribute sets, the dimension precedence between the two adjacent dimension levels is automatically linked with this relationship.

Linking an Attribute of a Dimension Level with an Attribute of the ER Model

Prerequisites

As content, each hierarchy level displays the same attributes (identification attributes, display attributes, and sort attributes) of its dimension level redundantly.

How to proceed

  1. Select an attribute within a dimension level or hierarchy level in the diagram.

  2. Click on the selection icon in the ER Model Attribute property's row in the Properties tool window.

    The selection dialog opens and offers all attributes of the attribute set linked with the level for selection.

  3. Select the attribute and confirm with OK.

    The attribute of the dimension level is linked with the attribute of the ER model and receives its name.