MSAS : Shared vs Private Dimensions Page - 2

Creating Private Dimension using Dimension Editor

1. In the Analysis Manager tree pane, right-click the cube in which you want to create a private dimension, and then click Edit.

2. In Cube Editor, on the Insert menu, point to Dimension, and then click New.

3. In the Dimension Wizard, advance through the steps to define the private dimension

4. In the Finish step, to indicate the dimension is private, clear the Share this dimension with other cubes check box.

5. Click Finish.

6. Optional. In the properties pane, modify the properties of the dimension and its levels.

7. On the File menu, click Save.

How to browse a private dimension

In the Cube Editor tree pane, right-click a private dimension, and then click Browse.

Shared and Private Dimensions

Shared Dimension	Private Dimension
A shared dimension is a dimension that can be used by multiple cubes.	A private dimension is a dimension created for an individual cube.
In the Analysis Manager tree pane, shared dimensions appear in the Shared Dimensions folder under the database in which they are created. They also appear in the Cube Editor tree pane after they are included in the edited cube.	In Analysis Manager, private dimensions are found in the Cube Editor tree pane
In the tree panes, a shared dimension is identified by the following icon.	A private dimension is identified by the following icon.
Shared dimensions that share the same data source can be included in any cube or virtual cube in the database. By creating shared dimensions and using them in multiple cubes, the user can avoid the time-consuming alternative of creating duplicate private dimensions within each of the cubes.	Private dimensions can be included only for the cube or virtual cube for which it was created. The user has to create duplicate copies of private dimensions within each cube.
Shared dimensions also enable the standardization of business metrics among cubes. For example, standardized shared dimensions for time and geographic location ensure that data analyzed from different cubes will be similarly organized. This becomes very important when integrating data from different aspects of a business for analysis.	Private dimensions are exclusive and do not make for standardization of business metrics among cubes.