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Particular features of multidimensional forms

How multidimensional matrices work

To create an analytical multidimensional matrix, the form must be opened in design mode (see Open a form in Design mode) and a multidimensional matrix that refers to the chosen Dataset must be added (see Multidimensional matrices). When a form with a multidimensional matrix related to a Analytical Workspace dataset is accessed in data entry mode, the matrix functionality is standard: the matrix retrieves from the dataset only data corresponding to the specified filters.

Note: datasets containing the "Show user data only" property cannot be associated with multidimensional matrices.

Multidimensional matrices are only run by the in-memory engine and subject to the following conditions:

  • They must contain numerical and/or text-based measures only.

Note: text-based only if the dataset has refresh data mode set to "Update the existing record".

  • They must not contain advanced selections (pruning at 0 + Lowest Level)

Matrices on datasets partitioned by entity

For matrices that refer to datasets partitioned by entity, it is possible to run the form, in the navigation or data entry phases, only filtering its data on a single element of the Entity dimension.

This requirement is not applicable for datasets that are not partitioned by entity.

If the entity is only identified by the partition and not an entity field, the table will not contain an Entity column. However, the information can in any case be retrieved from the details of the OWS_TABELLA_PARTIZIONE partition.

Data in cells

In multidimensional matrices, the data of each cell corresponds to the value entered in the cell by the user, modified by the row and column filter values. In these matrices, the user can only explicitly edit data from custom dataset fields. The dimension field data are calculated on the basis of the filters in place on the cell.

Multidimensional matrices only manage numerical-type measures (custom fields) and text-based measures if the data has the update data mode set to "Update existing record". Text-based measures are not GDPR Relevant).

Default element

In CCH Tagetik, a default element is associated with all the analytical dimensions and custom dimensions of the Financial layer that are being used. In the data entry phase, in the presence of a multidimensional matrix, the system enters values in the dataset dimension fields not defined with the default element (if one exists), on the condition that the relative dimension allows default values and the value is visible to the user.

The following dimensions do not allow default values:

  • CTP entity
  • Account
  • Category
  • Variation / Detail type
  • CTP Custom dimension 2

Dimensions tree of the multidimensional matrix

The dimensions tree in the Matrix Wizard (see Matrix Wizard - Window structure) shows all the measures and dimensions used by the dataset, with their hierarchies, together with the following dimensions:

  • Scenario and Period and Entity if a dataset that has been partitioned by entity has been used,
  • the Period Length reporting dimension

The presence of the Scenario, Period and Entity dimensions is due to the partition logics, because they guide the determination of the partition from which the data are read and written in the navigation or data entry phase, respectively.

The Period Length dimension determines the time window from which to read the data to be aggregated. The following period lengths are supported for analytical multidimensional matrices:

  • LUN_0: cumulated
  • LUN_1 monthly
  • LUN_2: bimonthly
  • LUN_3: quarterly
  • LUN_4: every four months
  • LUN_5: every five months
  • LUN_6: half-yearly
  • LUN_12: annual
  • LUN_QTD: quarter to date
  • LUN_STD: semester_to_date
  • LUN_YTD: Life_to_date

The default Period Length for analytical multidimensional matrices is LUN_1 monthly, because the data are saved on a monthly basis by default.

The Calculate period values property of the period length dimension is set to Aggregate period values by default and cannot be changed.

Particular features of dimension filters

If a dimension is specified using a hierarchical node rather than a lowest level element, the system defines the dimension using the reference lowest element. If the reference lowest element is not defined, or if the user does not have the rights to view that lowest level element, then the data cannot be saved.

Data entry on the reference lowest element is supported for the following dimensions:

  • Account
  • Entity
  • Custom dimensions
  • Analytical dimensions
  • Category

When the node is associated with a lowest level element, the data entry uses that lowest level element to define the dataset field. In the presence of two or more nodes referring to the same dimension, data cannot be saved because the system cannot determine which reference lowest element to use.

The only Period length supported in data entry mode is the monthly period length. Cells referring to different period lengths are not editable.

Cell editability

In the multidimensional matrix design phase, the user can configure the cells and define cell editability conditions on rows/columns, and the system calculates the cell value based on the intersection of these (see Editability). Every cell is subject to the same editability checks as the process.

The system will also make a cell non-editable under the following conditions:

  • If one of the filters that the user has specified is a node (despite having an associated lowest reference element). If, in addition to the node, a lowest level element belonging to the node is also used, then the lowest level element will be editable, while for the node, the message "Node editability not supported" will appear in editability information.
  • If any of the dimensions present in the dataset and in editability information are not specified in the matrix, then the message "Dimension missing: COD_DIMENSIONE" will appear.
  • if the intersection to which the cell relates is composed of several records then the message "Cell has multiple values" will appear in editability information.

However, the editability set on a cell may not be effective when the matrix dataset contains one or more dimensions without a default element and there is no filter on the cell with reference to the specific dimension.

In the cell properties panel, click Editability info to check the reason why a cell’s editability is locked.

For more information on editability checks, see Checks on multidimensional matrices.