Language Attributes in OLAP Modeling

You can add localized element caption attributes to an existing dimension by using the Add Language Attributes action.

The Add Language Attributes action performs these tasks:

  • Creates all required language attributes simultaneously.
  • Applies consistent naming conventions and metadata settings.
  • Detects active application languages.
  • Assigns attributes to available attribute tables.

Behind-the-scenes processes

When you trigger the Add Lanugage Attributes action, these tasks are performed:

  • Language Retrieval: Gets all the languages that are currently active in the application.
  • Metadata Configuration: Sets the Used as Element Caption for Language property for each new attribute.
  • Extended Properties Update: Updates the dimension's internal XML configuration (ExtendedProperties) to include Translation/MemberCaption entries, ensuring the OLAP engine recognizes the new localized captions.
  • Hierarchy Synchronization: Corresponding columns are created in the elements tables of all related hierarchies.

Language attribute settings

These settings are applied to each language attribute:

  • Data type: String (C)
  • Width: 253
  • Name: Lang followed by the language code, such as LangDE for German or LangEN for English
  • Caption: The display name of the language, such as German or Spanish

Availability and capacity

Add Language Attributes is available if the dimension does not contain language-specific attributes. The option remains available if the dimension contains only a Neutral caption.

The option is disabled if:

  • Language attributes already exist.
  • All available application languages are assigned to existing attributes.

The system assigns new attributes to available attribute tables. A dimension can contain up to 147 attributes across three tables. If the required attributes exceed the available capacity, the system displays an error message.

Troubleshooting

This table shows how to troubleshoot some issues when managing language attributes:

Issue Possible cause Resolution
Add Language Attributes is disabled. Language attributes already exist or all languages are assigned. Manually manage the attributes if specific changes are required.
The Insufficient capacity error is displayed. The dimension has reached the maximum number of attributes. Remove unnecessary attributes to free capacity.