Share via


Cubes in Multidimensional Models

A cube is a multidimensional structure that contains information for analytical purposes; the main constituents of a cube are dimensions and measures. Dimensions define the structure of the cube that you use to slice and dice over, and measures provide aggregated numerical values of interest to the end user. As a logical structure, a cube allows a client application to retrieve values, of measures, as if they were contained in cells in the cube; cells are defined for every possible summarized value. A cell, in the cube, is defined by the intersection of dimension members and contains the aggregated values of the measures at that specific intersection.

Benefits of Using Cubes

A cube provides a single place where all related data, for analysis, is stored.

Components of Cubes

A cube is composed of:

Element

Description

Dimensions

Dimensions in Multidimensional Models

Measures and Measure Groups

Measures and Measure Groups in Multidimensional Models

Partitions

Partitions in Multidimensional Models

Perspectives

Perspectives in Multidimensional Models

Hierarchies

Create User-Defined Hierarchies

Actions

Actions in Multidimensional Models

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Multidimensional Models

Calculations

Calculations in Multidimensional Models

Translations

Translations in Multidimensional Models

Topic

Description

Create a Cube Using the Cube Wizard

Describes how to use the Cube Wizard to define a cube, dimensions, dimension attributes, and user-defined hierarchies.

Measures and Measure Groups in Multidimensional Models

Describes how to define measure groups.

Calculations in Multidimensional Models

Describes how to define and configure a calculation in an MDX script.

Actions in Multidimensional Models

Describes how to define and configure an action.

Perspectives in Multidimensional Models

Describes how to define and configure a perspective.

Defining Stored Procedures

Describes how to work with stored procedures.