Attributes
Attributes are created and saved in the OLAP Server database and can be used to add information to a list. For example, for each item in a list of products, you might store the product manager's name as an attribute. You can display attributes in list objects.
All dimensions have intrinsic attributes, in addition to any that are created in the database.
See Intrinsic attributes.
The Attributes pane of the List Designer displays all attributes.
There are different ways in which to reference attributes. For example, in a list object, you can change the output format of the list to 'Attribute', having first selected the attribute in the List Designer. Or you can use formulas such as ROA and RWA and to reference attributes, in actions for example.
Custom hierarchies and lists also have attributes but there are some differences in the way in which they are referenced.
See Attributes of custom hierarchies.
Selecting attributes
Open the Attributes pane in the List Designer. Select each attribute to reference in the report. Selected attributes move to the top of the list.
In list objects, except hyperblocks, you can display only one attribute. If you select multiple attributes in the List Designer, the first is displayed. In hyperblocks, you can display multiple attributes by creating multiple output cells and displaying a different attribute in each.
Displaying attributes
In hyperblocks and other list objects, you can change the output format of the list so that it displays an attribute instead of the unique name or caption.
You change the text format of a list object on the General tab of the Object Properties dialog.
See Object Properties .
To display attributes, they must be selected in the Attributes pane in the List Designer.
The General tab of the Object Properties dialog of hyperblocks is different from that of the other list objects.
On the General tab dialog of a hyperblock, all the attributes selected in the Attributes pane are
listed in the Value field of the key output cell. The first three of the attributes selected in the Attributes
pane are listed as: Attribute1 [attribute_name], Attribute2 [attribute_name] and Attribute3 [attribute_name]. If further attributes have been selected, they are listed by their names only.
On the General tab of a list object other than a hyperblock, is an option in the Text format of the list field. Because these list objects can display only one attribute, selecting Attribute displays the first of the attributes selected in the Attributes pane.
The attributes of a list object can be referenced in formulas using the syntax, Name of the list object.Attribute.