Analysis Services

Creating Calculated Cells

With calculated cells, you can define a Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) formula that can be used to supply a value for each cell in a specific group of cells. Optionally, each cell in the group of cells can be evaluated against a logical MDX statement to determine whether the formula is applied for a particular cell in the group of cells.

For example, you can create a calculated cells definition that provides forecasting values for the next year from a calculation based on the actual values of the current year, but only for specific clients and products. Unlike calculated members, custom members, or custom rollups, this functionality can affect specific cells of a cube, instead of an entire member; a calculated cells definition can be created for only a single cell in an entire cube.

As with calculated members, the definitions for calculated cells are stored. The values for calculated cells are evaluated only when the cube is queried by a client application. Unlike calculated members, however, the cells retain their original underlying data. Thus, calculated cells can be added to a cube without affecting the underlying data, and calculated cells can be removed from the cube without invalidating the cube. Calculated cells are not evaluated when processing a regular or virtual cube; the cube is processed as if the calculated cells definitions do not exist.

With the introduction of calculation passes, calculated cells can be recursively applied across any number of calculation passes, with evaluation starting at a specified calculation pass. For more information about calculation passes, see Understanding Pass Order and Solve Order.

You can create calculated cells in regular or virtual cubes. For more information about creating calculated cells, see Creating Calculated Cells in Regular Cubes and Creating Calculated Cells in Virtual Cubes.

To create a calculated cells definition, use the Calculated Cells Wizard. It enables you to specify the following options for the calculated cells:

After they have been created, calculated cells can also be edited in Cube Editor (for regular cubes) or Virtual Cube Editor (for virtual cubes).

To edit a calculated cells definition in Cube Editor

Analysis Manager

Analysis Manager

To edit a calculated cells definition in Virtual Cube Editor

Analysis Manager

Analysis Manager

See Also

Calculated Cells

Calculated Cells Wizard

Cube Editor - Schema View

Virtual Cube Editor

Understanding Pass Order and Solve Order