Dimensions and hierarchies

The cubes of a multidimensional data source contain dimensions, and those dimensions contain hierarchies. In the Samples application, all dimensions of the Analysis cube, except the Product dimension, contain a single hierarchy, with the same name as the dimension. The Product dimension contains Product, Speed Rating, and Tire Size hierarchies.

To view the structure:

1. Open the Database Structure pane in the Application Explorer.
2. Expand Database Aliases.
3. Expand BestPracticesOLAP
4. Expand the ANALYSIS cube.

   The dimensions of the cube are displayed.

5. Expand one of the dimensions to view its hierarchy.

Hierarchies contain elements, which can be grouped into lists. For example, a report on product sales might contain lists of product elements from a Product hierarchy and a list of date elements from a Period hierarchy. You can create multiple lists on a hierarchy, which are displayed below the hierarchy in the Database Structure. The Database Structure does not display the elements in those lists. You use a list designer to view and work with the elements in a list.