Applying Alternative Hierarchy

Applying alternative hierarchy is available in regular reports, information panels, express reports, dashboards.

Alternative hierarchy presents alternative rules, by which elements are grouped in dimension. Alternative hierarchy can be used to display the same data in various aspects.

Alternative hierarchies can be set up in two ways:

NOTE. Both options can be used at a time for one dictionary.

A custom hierarchy is a type of alternative hierarchy obtained after editing a list of dimensions and/or dimension element. To change hierarchy or reorder elements, use the Edit- <dimension name>/Edit Dimension dialog box.

Alternative hierarchy can be used as a filter to show or hide dimension elements:

In regular reports on the selection panel.
In information panels on the Dimension Filter panel.
In express reports and dashboards on the Selection group of tabs on the side panel.

To filter dimensions elements using an alternative hierarchy:

In the regular report select an alternative hierarchy in the drop-down menu of the Alternative Hierarchies item in the dimension element's context menu on the selection panel.
In the information panel select an alternative hierarchy in the drop-down menu of the Alternative Hierarchies item in the dimension element's context menu on theDimension Filter panel.
In express reports and dashboards:

Select the Alternative Hierarchy > <hierarchy name> item in the dimension element's context menu in the Selection group of tabs on the side panel.
Select the Alternative Hierarchy > <hierarchy name> item in the drop-down menu of the Settings button located below the dimension name in the Selection group of tabs on the side panel.
Select alternative hierarchy in the drop-down menu of the Alternative Hierarchy button on the Hierarchy ribbon tab.

NOTE. Alternative hierarchy can be used if an alternative hierarchy was created for the current dimension.

To reset alternative hierarchy and display standard dimension hierarchy, select the Reset item.

Features of applying alternative hierarchy:

An alternative hierarchy based on dictionaries and/or dictionary attributes should be created for the current dimension.
In regular reports and information panels one cannot select alternative hierarchy if displaying of dictionary attributes as single dimensions is set up for the dimension.
When working with global cache one cannot use alternative hierarchy.

When working with dimension elements one can use hierarchy selection.

Saving Custom Hierarchy as Alternative One

Saving custom hierarchy as alternative hierarchy is available in express reports and dashboards.

As a result of editing dimension list and/or dimension element, dictionary hierarchy becomes a custom one and can be saved as an alternative one.

To save custom hierarchy as an alternative one:

Select the Alternative Hierarchy > Save Current Hierarchy As item in the dimension element's context menu in the Selection group of tabs on the side panel.
Select the Alternative Hierarchy > Save Current Hierarchy As item in the drop-down menu of the Settings button located below the dimension name in the Selection group of tabs on the side panel.
Select the Save Current Hierarchy As item in the drop-down menu of the Alternative Hierarchy button on the Hierarchy ribbon tab.

After executing one of the operations save the dictionary in the repository by means of the Save As dialog box.

The custom hierarchy will be added to the list of alternative hierarchies of the dictionary corresponding to the current dimension.

NOTE. Dimension management will be unavailable if a custom hierarchy is used.

Aggregation by Custom and Alternative Hierarchy Levels

Aggregation by custom and alternative hierarchy levels is available in express reports and dashboards.

It can be used to merge data of dimension elements by custom and alternative hierarchy levels. Result of aggregation of child elements is passed to the parent element.

Aggregation by custom and alternative hierarchy levels is set up:

For a separate cube layout option on the Aggregation page of the standard cube creation wizard.
In the Aggregation dialog box. To open the dialog box, click the Aggregation button on the Hierarchy tab.

Setup by custom or alternative hierarchy levels is the same as aggregation setup by dimension levels.

The Aggregation dialog box:

After the aggregation by alternative hierarchy levels is set up, the following items are available in the Calendar dimension context menu:

When the Calendar item is selected, the aggregation by alternative hierarchy levels will be applied that is set on standard cube aggregation setup.

When the Reset item is selected, the settings stored in cube main dimension and alternative hierarchies will be reset. The reset is made for selected dimension.