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Select Creation Method (Dimension Wizard)

Use the Select Creation Method page to select how to create the dimension.

To open the Dimension Wizard

  • In Business Intelligence Development Studio, in Solution Explorer, right-click the Dimensions folder for an Analysis Services project, and then click New Dimension.

Options

  • Use an existing table
    Create a dimension from one or more tables in a data source. The attributes that are available for the dimension will depend on the structure of the data in the table.

    For more information, see Creating a Dimension by Using an Existing Table.

  • Generate a time table in the data source
    Create a time table in the underlying data source and then use that table to create a time dimension. Use this option when no such table exists and you do not want to use a script to create one. The new time table will contain data for the date range, attributes, and calendars that you specify in the wizard.

    Note

    To use this option, you must have permission to create objects in the underlying data source. If you do not have permission to create objects on the data source, try to use the Generate a time table on the server option instead.

    For more information, see Creating a Time Dimension by Generating a Time Table.

  • Generate a time table on the server
    Create a time table directly on the server and then use that table to create a time dimension. Use this option if you do not have permission to create objects in the underlying data source. The new time dimension will contain data for the date range, attributes, and calendars that you specify in the wizard.

    For more information, see Creating a Time Dimension by Generating a Time Table.

  • Generate a non-time table in the data source
    Design the dimension without an underlying relational data source, and then generate the necessary schema for the data source. This approach is known as top-down modeling.

    Note

    To use this option, you must have permission to create objects in the underlying data source.

    You can build the dimension with or without a template. To build the dimension with a template, select the template from the Template list.

    For more information, see Creating a Dimension by Generating a Non-Time Table in the Data Source.

  • Template
    Select the template that you want to use to create the dimension. Templates provide a complete set of attribute and hierarchy definitions oriented towards a specific business purpose.

    Note

    This option is only available when the Generate a non-time table in the data source option has been selected.