Identifying Dimension Types

Dimensions are always qualified as a specific type. This Type qualification gives SAP Analytics Cloud information on how the dimension should function within the system. Depending on the type selected, you can configure various properties and possibly create hierarchies for the dimension.

When creating a public dimension, you can select the Account, Generic, and Organization type.

There are two other dimension types required by planning models that the system creates automatically for every planning model: Version and Date.

The Account dimension type typically conforms to financial-type accounts or accounting-related data such as utility costs or number of product returns.

• There are several system-generated properties, and more can be added.
• The default hierarchy is system generated, and more can be added.
• It is mandatory in an account-based model but optional in a measure-based model.
• Only one per model

The Generic dimension type is used for any data that logically cannot be qualified as any other dimension type. You can also use the Generic dimension type if you need more than one of the other dimensions types in your model. For example, your model may need multiple dimensions related to an organizational structure, but since a model can have only one Organization dimension type, all the other organization-related dimensions can be qualified as Generic.

• Properties can be added as needed.
• As many hierarchies as needed can be added.
• It is optional in a model.
• More than one per model is allowed.

The Organization dimension type represents an organizational structure, such as cost centers, profit centers, or business units.

• The Currency and Person Responsible properties are system-generated, and more can be added.
• As many hierarchies as needed can be added.
• It is optional in a model.
• Only one per model.

The Version dimension type is system-generated for all planning models and defines the data versions for planning activities: Planning, Actual, Forecast, etc.

• Properties can be added as needed.
• Hierarchies are not applicable to this dimension type.
• It is mandatory (system-generated) in all planning models; not applicable for analytic models.
• Only one per model.

The Date dimension type is a system-generated dimension that defines the start and end dates of the model's time frame and specifies the granularity of time used in the model (years, quarters, months, weeks, or days).

• Properties:
  • Account-based model: system-generated only.
  • Measure-based model: added as needed, but only when user-managed.
• Hierarchies:
  • Account-based model: system-generated only based on calendar time but can be changed to fiscal time.
  • Measure-based model: added as needed, but only when user-managed.
• It is mandatory (and system-generated) in all planning models but optional for analytic models.
• More than one per model is allowed. It is helpful if you need to compare dates for different scenarios, such as Order Date versus Shipping Date.