How to use - Dimensionality()

[robert_mika]

Definition:

Returns the number of dimension columns that have non-aggregation content. i.e. do not contain partial sums or collapsed aggregates.

A typical use is in attribute expressions, when you want to apply different cell formatting depending on aggregation level of data.

This function is only available in charts. For all chart types except pivot table it will return the number of dimensions in all rows except the total, which will be 0.

What does it mean?

We have Table with 4 dimensions(columns): Product,Category,Type,Sales

Now we want to create Pivot Table by using those Dimensions.

We are going to use only 3 of them(Product,Category,Type) and use 4th(Sales) in our expression.

The result is shown below:

This Pivot Table  has 3 dimensions so its maximum dimensionality is 3.

For better understating please see  table below.

The function is used to show on which dimensionality level each of the Pivot Table row is:

'Sugar' has dimensionality of 1 which is Total for that 'Product'.

'Salt' has dimensionality of 2 which is Total for each 'Category' of that 'Product'.

'Oil' has dimensionality of 3 which is single value for each 'Type' of the 'Product's' 'Category'.

So then more Dimension we use the greater dimensionality of our Pivot Table is.

Practical use:

1) To show the level of dimensionality:

Expression:

if(Dimensionality()=1 ,RGB(151,255,255),if(Dimensionality()=2 ,RGB(0,238,0),if(Dimensionality()=3,RGB(255,130,171))))

2) Highlight background of rows which on each level  fall into certain condition:

Expression:

if(Dimensionality()=1 and sum(Sales)<150,RGB(151,255,255),if(Dimensionality()=2 and sum(Sales)<=20,RGB(0,238,0),if(Dimensionality()=3 and Sum(Sales)<=20,RGB(255,130,171))))

LEVEL1 --> Values <140	LEVEL 2 --> Values <=20	LEVEL 3 --> Values <=20

Remember

• To use the script below the Excel file must be saved in the same folder that your qvd file

        Otherwise you will need to make changes the this path - [Dimensionality.xlsx]

Directory;

LOAD Product,

     Category,

     Type,

     Sales

FROM

[Dimensionality.xlsx]

(ooxml, embedded labels, table is Sheet1);

Felling Qlingry?

How To /Missing Manual (25 articles)

[saurabh5]

Nice way of explaning dimenssionality, helpful topic !

[NickHoff]

Is it possible to hide a total and still show the dimension, which makes up that total?

[senarath]

Any other business uses other than cell formatting ?

Thanx

[vikasmahajan]

Actually from many days we have requirement of such types of presentations in our charts

Thanks for Sharing such nice document.

Vikas 

[Anonymous]

I think this is mainly for the busines user

[richard_chilvers]

A clear explanantion of a feature which is kind of hidden away but can be vaulable especially when formatting cells as highlighted here.

[rustyfishbones]

This is the best explanation I've seen on this, thanks.

[#9]

Very Useful for Pivot..great

[#10]

Nice post! I've also found Dimensionality() useful when there's a requirement to calculate the total row in a different way than the other rows.

[#11]

VERY HELPFUL BUT still in doubt,  how come it got 1 dimentionality for sugar