MSAS - Building a Virtual Cube

In the above section we studied some of the reasons why we would want to create virtual cubes and how logical results can be obtained by making such cubes. We also saw that a virtual cube can be built quickly and easily by using the Virtual Cube Wizard.

Building a Virtual Cube

The Wizard takes the user through a series of steps that prompt him to specify the cubes, measures and dimensions to be used for building the virtual cube. The virtual cube then creates a combined view of the selected cubes by including the measures and dimensions selected. Please note that a virtual cube based on a linked cube does not support custom rollup operators, custom rollup formulas, cell calculations, or custom member formulas contained in the linked cube.

We can build a virtual cube by invoking the virtual cube wizard. Let us say we will create a virtual cube using the sales and Budget cubes of FoodMart 2000 database. We want to compare the budgeted sales against the actual sales. Right click on cubes folder under FoodMart 2000 database and select New Virtual Cube.

In the Wizard welcome screen click Next and navigate to the Select the cubes to include in the Virtual cube as Sales and Budget.

Next select Amount and Unit sales from the list of measures available

Rename the measures as the measures must have unique identifiers for a Virtual cube. Select Time, Product, Store and Account as dimensions of the Virtual cube.

Name the Virtual cube “The Sample” and let the Process now radio button remain checked and click on Finish.

The Process log window opens and the cube is processed.

The Virtual cube editor now displays the data from the consolidated virtual cube.