Navigating Dimensions

Operations on Dimensions

Create Dimension

Using the Space Explorer panel, the user can create a dimension by clicking the plus button in the Dimensions category within the enterprise structure. A popup will appear where the user must enter the Dimension Name and Description. The user needs to select the dimension type from the dropdown to add a dimension, then click the Save button. If the user decides that the dimension is irrelevant for the enterprise after filling in the necessary details (dimension name, description, and dimension type), they can click the Cancel button to abort the creation.

Each dimension type has its own default properties. These properties will be discussed in more detail in the Dimension User Guide.

Copy Dimension

Copy is one of the options available in the list of actions when hovering over the ellipsis icon. During the copy activity, the dimension type is retained, and only the Dimension Name and Description are open for the user to input new details.

Delete Dimension

Available actions for each dimension are accessible via the ellipsis icon on the right side near the edge of each dimension when hovered over. One of the action options is Delete. This function allows the user to delete an unnecessary dimension. Select Delete from the options, and a warning message will appear for the user to confirm if they want to proceed with deletion. Click Okay to delete the dimension or Cancel to retain it.

Edit Dimension

Each dimension has corresponding actions available when hovering over the ellipsis icon. Select Edit to modify the Description of the Dimension. Note that only the Description can be edited. Dimension member details can also be edited.

Operations on Dimension Members

Search dimension member: The user can search for dimension member details. The search is limited to the details of the specific active dimension. The search icon is located on the level 2 header. To close or disregard the search activity, the user just needs to click the search icon again.
Add Property: From the level 2 header, a property can be added by clicking the Plus icon.
Edit Hierarchy sequence: Hierarchy sorting can be updated using the hierarchy view accessible from the level 2 header via the Hierarchy icon. The user can add a child member under a parent member using the drag-and-drop feature.
Export: You can export the existing master data as an Excel file.
Import: You can import an Excel file to a dimension to update the master data.

Master Data Edit Functions

When right-clicking on the dimension member table row:

Cut: Similar to the standard Excel function, this option allows the user to cut specific member(s) for the purpose of pasting them to a desired position.
Copy: The copy function works like the Excel copy feature. It enables the user to copy an existing row in the master data.
Paste: The paste function allows the user to paste values that have been copied or cut. Please note that if an ID is included in the paste, a warning error will be thrown since duplicate IDs are not allowed.
Insert Row: This option allows the user to insert a row before or after a member.
Delete Row: The user can delete a row in the master data. It is also possible to delete multiple rows in the master data.

Property Edit Functions

When right-clicking on the dimension member table column header:

Edit Property: The dimension name and description can be changed when this button is clicked. Additionally, the dimension property type can be changed. When changing the property type, a warning confirmation from the user is required. Changing the dimension property type will clear all existing dimension values. Please note that the Property Name is non-editable.
Copy Property: The user can copy an existing dimension.
Insert Left/Right: This function allows the user to add a property in the desired sequence.
Sort A to Z: The user can sort a dimension in ascending order (alphabetical order).
Sort Z to A: The user can sort a dimension in descending order (reverse alphabetical order).
Move Left / Right: This function allows the user to sequence the sorting of property presentation on the table.
Delete Dimension: This function allows the user to delete the property. Please note that this function is not available for default properties.

From the dimension column header, a filter icon is visible, allowing the user to filter desired dimension members:

Select All: You can select all the rows in the master data.
Deselect Row: A selected row can be deselected.
Save: Save the master data. The user can make changes to the master data as per validations and save them. The save button saves all changes made to the dimension structure, such as adding new dimensions, changing dimension/dimension descriptions, or modifying relationships. When there are blank rows, they will be saved accordingly.

Dimension Details

The Dimension Details button is located on the level 2 header of the Dimension screen. Clicking this button displays a table listing all properties under the selected dimension, along with key details such as Property Name, Description, Type, Link To, Property Members, and Where Used.

When viewing an existing property in a dimension, users can click the Trace button to view a list of metrics where that property is used. This includes usage within the Set function of a formula metric, as a cell reference in a metric formula, or inside the Add function of a formula metric.

Users can see details such as the sheet name, metric name, data type, formula, and related dimension. Additionally, there is an option to open any dependent metric in a new browser tab for easy access.

Field details

v25.05: Special Operations on Scenario Dimension

Scenario type dimensions offer additional functionalities, including copying data to a different version, creating snapshots of data for the current version, and setting time-dependent restrictions on permissible scenarios. We will walk through each of these in detail.

Copy Data

Copying data involves transferring information into an existing version and recalculating all data for the respective version. To copy data, the user can either navigate to the desired sheet and select the copy option from the level 2 header, or go to the Scenario dimension Masterdata and select the copy option there. In either case, a Copy Scenario pane will open on the right.

In this pane, the user needs to select the sheet to be copied, the source version, and the target version. For a particular time period, the user can choose to copy data from the same period, to the next year, to the next period, or set a custom offset. For example, to copy data from the Gross Sales sheet from the Actual version to the Plan version for the year 2024 to the next year.

After clicking Copy, the system will execute the event to copy the data and display the status in the Task Monitor. The copied data will be visible once the copy process is complete.

Create Snapshot

A snapshot captures the state of data at a particular point in time. Data in a snapshot cannot be changed and will not be recalculated if formulas or parameters are modified.

This works similarly to the Version Copy function, but the system will automatically create a new member in the Scenario/Version Snapshot instead of using an existing Version Master.

Like the copy operation, a snapshot can be created in the Sheet version selection on the level 2 header or from the Version dimension masterdata, under the Snapshot tab, using the level 2 option Add Snapshot. The Snapshot Details pane will open on the left. Enter the Snapshot ID and Description, and select the sheet whose data is to be copied. Set the time and version for which the snapshot is to be created.

Applicable From and To

The Applicable from and Applicable to properties in the Scenario type dimension help restrict data calculations in Sheets. These properties are available by default for any new Scenario dimension linked to a Time Dimension. Restrictions on input and calculation for the scenario will be based on TIMEID. The time members selected in the Applicable from and Applicable to periods will determine the range within which users can perform data actions. Outside of this range, the system will:

Note:

NOT allow any data input.
NOT allow any data upload.
NOT generate any results from metric formulas.
NOT copy data to or from that specific period using the Version Copy and Snapshot Creation functions.

v25.11: Lock Versions

Lock specific versions to prevent users from modifying data. When you lock a version, users cannot enter, update, clear, copy data, or run formulas on that version.

Use version locking to protect finalized data in approved actuals, closed budgets, and historical periods. When users attempt modifications, they receive a warning message and the system blocks the operation.

Version locking is managed through the version master data in scenario-type dimensions using a "Locked?" checkbox property.

To lock a version:

Navigate to Master Data from the Dimensions menu.
Select your version dimension (scenario-type).
Locate the version in the master data grid.
Check the "Locked?" checkbox.
Save your changes.

To unlock a version:

Follow steps 1-3 from the above procedure.
Uncheck the "Locked?" checkbox.
Save your changes.

Note: When a version is locked, all modification attempts fail.

For example, if you try to clear data from a locked Actual version, the system displays "Can not Input as Version is locked."

For new installations, scenario-type dimensions automatically include the "Locked?" property with all versions unlocked by default. For existing installations with pre-created scenario dimensions, you need to add the "Locked?" property through dimension configuration before you can use this feature.