Using the builtin OLAP engine

Using the builtin OLAP engine

Overview

OLAP means that flat data will be precalculated in a multi dimensional way to support very fast answers to all questions can be placed by the user. See wikipedia or other ressources for more detailed information. Adele support some main OLAP features to support a simple analyzing.

Creating a cube

At first you need some data imported to Adele as table. All imported data will be displayed as nodes at the left area of Adele. Before Adele can build an OLAP cube you have to mark the wanted columns. In the screenshot typical order data was used. Interesting columns for an OLAP analyzis could be ORDER, PRODUCT, DATE, PRICE (the fact column).

After marking the relevant columns use the context menu from the table and execute "create OLAP cube". A popup will be occur to enter a description. After confirming this popup an addional cube view will be displayed.

This is an empty view. Only the sum information of the containing fact columns will be shown.

Using the cube

Similiar to the table view the OLAP cube node will display as node and subnodes (doubleclick the cube). The dimensions and facts will be displayed. An OLAP view will display key figures like count, sum and average of a fact. You can produce different sheet designs by choosing different combinations of dimensions on columns or rows.

Please select (add to context via the context menu):
1) all dimensions visible on rows
2) all facts and their special aggregation type (sum, count, min, max, ...)
3) all dimensions visible on columns.

For the following example the following context order was used:
1) PRODUCT
2) PRICE - SUM
3) DATE

Tipps and Tricks

The cube creation process respects existing filters. You can filter a subset of your table (e.g. only a few product ids) and create the cube for that. After creating a cube the filter feature will be supported for cubes too.

Please check the context menu for other interesting features.

Don't forget: all table view at the right area of Adele have exporting features. Copy your OLAP data back to the spreadsheet application by using the clipboard.