Key Terms

Dimension

A dimension is a structure containing a broad group of data about a significant business aspect. Dimensions (dimensions in a model) represent a business entity, such as accounts, company codes, and categories. They contain master data, text, and hierarchical data for each business entity. Some dimensions are mandatory in any workspace, like Time and Account, while others can be defined by the user.

Master Data

Master data is the core business data that supports the organization's critical business processes and serves as a base for any transaction. It is typically shared across all departments in an enterprise. Master data includes business-critical information about customers, suppliers, partners, products, employees, accounts, and more. For example, product master data might include the product name, product description, and unit price.

Property

Dimensions have properties based on dimension type, describing the attributes of the dimension members. Some properties are mandatory for the dimension type, while others can be defined by the user.

Dimensions capture the organizational structure, which is the framework of a company according to which business is conducted. The organizational structure consists of many levels with direct or indirect relationships with one another.

Dimension Types

Based on the purpose of the dimension to be created, a specific type is assigned to classify the dimension. Dimension types are the list of different types of dimensions that can be created.

Dimensions Type	Description
Account	The account type dimension is the metric dimension where the chart of accounts and other statistical details are maintained. If users want to maintain different accounts, they need to select the type as account. For example, users can enter the complete structure of a profit and loss statement or balance sheet in the account dimension.
Flow	The flow type dimension is where most of the transaction movements are maintained.
General	Any information that does not fall into the above definitions can be of the general type. The general type dimension has two subtypes: Organization Subtype: Used for the organizational structure lists of entities. Partner Unit Subtype: Commonly used in consolidation reporting to show third-party details for intercompany transactions.
Scenario	The scenario type dimension is used for reporting categories like actual, budget, plan, forecast, and others.
Dataset	The dataset type dimension is used to record and track how data is being recorded.
Time(Data)	If users want to maintain information relating to time, they need to select the type as time. Standard time classifications are monthly, quarterly, yearly, weekly, and daily.
Currency	Users can maintain information relating to exchange rates while performing currency translation by selecting the type as currency. Any dimension that deals with currency information must be of the currency type. For example, if the dimension being maintained has information related to currency that users want to run the translation on, then this type must be chosen. The group subtype can also be activated on this dimension type. The group subtype currency can be used by the user to do consolidation reporting at the group currency level.
Ownership	The ownership type dimension is automatically created when a reference model is created in the consolidation model and is used to input text comments.
Notes	The notes type dimension enables you to input text comments.

Property Types

Dimensions have various property types that define their characteristics, behavior, and constraints. These property types provide additional information about the dimensions and how they should be treated within the model. They help define the usage of dimensions within the data model, ensuring consistency, integrity, and efficient management of data.

Different property types allowed within a dimension include:

Property Type	Description
Link to another record	This property type allows the user to link records from the table of available dimensions to the existing dimension. After selecting the property type "Link to Another Record," the user can choose the appropriate dimension whose records can be linked with the existing dimension. The user can then find the list of records linked from the selected dimension to the existing dimension.
Text	This property type allows the user to input text containing all characters.
Checkbox	This property type will display all checkboxes.
Multi-select	This property type allows the user to select one or more predefined options from a list. The user can add options by clicking the Add Option button, entering the ID and description of the option, and clicking Save. The user can then click the dropdown on the desired row to make a multi-select selection. By selecting the All On button, the user can choose all available options. The Clear All button can be used to clear the selection.
Single-select	This property type allows the user to select a single option from predefined options in a dropdown. The user can add options by clicking the Add Option button, entering the ID and description of the option, and clicking Save. The user can then make a single selection by clicking the dropdown present on the list.
Date	This property type allows the user to enter a date or pick one from the calendar in various formats, such as Local, Friendly, US, European, ISO, and Year. When the user clicks Save, a property with the type Date is created.
Percentage	This property type allows the user to enter a percentage. The user can select the precision range from the precision dropdown and toggle the button to allow negative numbers. When the user clicks the default prefilled new cells with this number, enters a number, and clicks Save, the same number will appear for all rows.
Number	This property type allows the user to use numbers as attribute data. The user can set the number format to decimal or integer and set the precision of the decimal as required. Input of negative numbers can also be activated if needed. The number type can be used to set a default data attribute.
Parent Dimension	This property type should be used when there is a need for hierarchy reporting.
Group	This property type allows users to select a single option from predefined options in a dropdown. It works similarly to the Parent Dimension type.
Sub Dimension	This option allows the creation of subdimensions within a dimension.
Team	This property type should be used for attributes connected to controlled security, such as data access for users. There is a dependency on Role Management to use this property type. Only roles listed in Role Management will be shown as options.

Based on the nature of use for the dimension, they are grouped into three default folders on the left-side panel: Metrics, Enterprise Structure, and System Levels.

Enterprise Structure: An enterprise structure defines the various organizational units present in a business according to a hierarchy. All organizational units are modeled to meet legal and management objectives. The enterprise structure consists of the dimensions required for reporting in the planning or consolidation process. The business's existing organizational structure with a defined hierarchy can be replicated in the enterprise structure, with modifications depending on planning or consolidation requirements.
Metrics: Metrics are quantitative measurements that include dimensions such as key KPIs and chart of accounts, which drive the planning process.
System Levels: The system levels dimensions are required for data classification, such as version, time, and dataset.