Overlapping hyperblocks

You can overlap hyperblocks so that they share the same value cell.

Overlapping hyperblocks and inserting a formula in the shared value cell is a basic technique in defining reports. It creates a tabular report in which the list elements in the horizontal hyperblock form the row headings, and those in the vertical hyperblock form the column headings. The formula populates the body of the report.

Note: If you add a formula to the value cell of a hyperblock, or to the shared value cell of overlapping hyperblocks, the formula automatically references the hyperblock(s). It also automatically references any existing lists in the report - in combo boxes, for example. If you subsequently add further list objects, you must manually adjust the formula to reference them.

If you insert a formula outside a hyperblock, the formula automatically references any other list objects in the report, but not the hyperblock.

This example uses the Analysis cube of the Best Practices sample database. It overlaps the Product dimension and Period dimensions and displays the variance between actual and budgeted gross margin of products, by period.

See Best Practices sample.

  1. Create a blank report.
    See Creating a blank report .
  2. Click cell B11 and drag across to cell C11.
    The two cells are highlighted.
  3. Drag the Product from the Analysis cube in the database structure into cell B11.
    A hyperblock is created in cells B11 to C11. A hyperblock comprises a key output cell and a data cell. Here, cell B11 is the key output cell.

    The hyperblock has an arrow to indicate whether the hyperblock will expand horizontally or vertically. If the arrow is horizontal, click it to make it vertical.

  4. Click cell C10 and drag the Period dimension into it.
    A second, horizontal, hyperblock is created. The two hyperblocks overlap at cell C11. Cell C11 is the data cell of both hyperblocks.
  5. Click C11 and then click Edit OLAP Formula on the Objects tool bar.
    The Edit OLAP Formula dialog is displayed.
  6. Click OK.
    An ROC formula is created. The formula references the default elements of the dimensions of the Analysis cube and the two hyperblocks.

    See ROC

  7. Display the report in View Mode.
    You could use the List Designer to display a limited selection of products and periods on the rows and columns. You could edcit the formula to calculate, for example, actual values instead of the variance.

    The Application Studio Tutorial develops a report from these basic techniques. The path to the tutorial is:Documentation\Application_Studio\Application_Studio_Tutorial_EN.pdf on the installation DVD.

  8. Save the report. You can use it as the basis for the report described in 'Nesting Hyperblocks.'
Parent topic: Hyperblocks