Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 9-41.
Selecting dimensional attributes in the Dimension Wizard
In our current example, the DimTitles table relates to both the DimPublishers table and the DimDates table
to form a snowflake design within the data source view. Because of this, we see many columns available in the
Select Dimensional Attributes page (Figure
9-41
).
It makes sense to include some of these columns from each dimension table, but not necessarily all of them.
Including publishers names, for example, will allow for creating reports that can group titles by publishers. The
same is true of the title types. But the artificial publisher key or the artificial date key (without an associated name
column) is not as useful, because it is unlikely a report will benefit from either one of these columns. They have
no significance outside the context of the data warehouse design.
■
Your attributes may be in a different order than those in Figure
9-41
. The order depends upon which table
the wizard decided to select first, either the DimPublishers or the DimDates table. it may be annoying, but as long as
you pay attention to which attribute you are configuring, it makes no difference.
Note
