When you import data from a file, such as an Excel spreadsheet, you can define attributes and metrics using the Column Mapping page. By default, each data column from your file is automatically designated as an attribute or metric, then placed in the Attributes or Metrics list based on its data type. You can define a data column as an attribute or metric manually using the Column Mapping page. You can specify an alias for a column of data, choose to exclude data from the import process, or map the data to existing attributes in your project.
For background information about importing data from a file or database to create reports, documents, and analyses, and for steps, see the Importing Data chapter in the MicroStrategy Advanced Reporting Guide. Imported data is published as an Intelligent Cube. For an introduction to Intelligent Cubes, see the MicroStrategy OLAP Services Guide.
Do one of the following for each column of data:
To define attributes and metrics from the imported data:
To designate a data column as an attribute or metric, click the left arrow or the right arrow to move a data column to the Attributes list or the Metrics list.
To specify an alias for a data column, click the column name under Alias, then type a new name. For example, you specify Cost as the alias of the TOT_COST data column, and define the data column as a metric. The metric is displayed as Cost when included in a report.
To specify the data type for a data column, click the data type listed for the column under Type, then select a new data type from the drop-down list.
You
can map a data column to an attribute that already exists in the current
project. To do so, you must provide a data column to map to the ID attribute
form of the existing attribute. This column must be the same data type
as the ID attribute form. You can also map additional data columns to
the attribute, by mapping each data column to a different attribute form.
For more information on mapping data columns and how it affects
grouping and selectors, see the Importing
Data chapter of the Advanced
Reporting Guide. If the data column is already mapped, you can
map the data column to a different attribute form to replace the existing
mapping. Perform the following steps:
Hover the cursor over the column name under Alias, then click the arrow icon and select Browse. The Select Mapping Object panel is displayed.
Navigate to and select the attribute form you want to map. You can expand and collapse the list of attribute forms in an attribute by clicking the arrow icon next to the attribute.
Do one of the following:
To map the data column you selected to an attribute form, click the name of the attribute form to select it.
To map multiple data columns, drag the name of each attribute form you want to map onto the alias of the data column you want to map it to.
To unmap a data column, hover the cursor over its alias, then click the x icon. The data column is unmapped, and its alias is changed back to the alias applied to the data column before it was mapped.
Click OK to close the Select Mapping Object panel.
To exclude a data column from the published data, clear the check box next to the column's name. The data column is not included in the published data and is not available to be used on reports.
Repeat the appropriate steps above
for each data column.
Note: You can change the file used to select the imported data,
or return to the preview of the imported data by clicking Edit
next to Source File or Preview. If you choose to edit either the data
being imported or return to the preview, any changes to the attributes
or metrics you have defined are discarded.
Click Publish. The Save Cube dialog box opens.
Browse to the location in which you want to save the Intelligent Cube, then type a name and description for the Intelligent Cube in the Name and Description fields.
Click OK. The data is saved as an Intelligent Cube.
Once you have saved your data, you can use it to create a report, document, or analysis. To do so, select one of the following:
To create a report, select Create Report. For steps to create a report that runs against your new Intelligent Cube data, see Creating a report that accesses an Intelligent Cube. For general steps to create a report, see Creating a report.
To create a document, select Create Document. For steps to create a document using the Intelligent Cube as a dataset, see Using Intelligent Cubes as datasets. For general steps to create a document, see About creating documents.
To create an analysis, select Create Analysis. For steps to create an analysis, see Creating an analysis.
Related topics