Creating logical and physical dimensional models

To create a dimensional model in a project, you can create a new logical or physical data model with dimensional notation, or you can enable dimensional notation on an existing logical or physical data model.

Before you begin

You must create a data design project in the Data Project Explorer.

About this task

If you create a new logical or physical data model with dimensional notation, dimensional notation is automatically enabled. If you enable dimensional notation on an existing data model, the workbench will display the dimensional notation of a data model.

Note: If you import a data model from the filesystem into the workspace, you must enable dimensional notation on the model, even if the model contains dimensional elements.

Procedure

To create a dimensional model:

  1. Create a new logical or physical data model with dimensional notation, or enable dimensional notation on an existing logical or physical data model:
    Option Description
    Create a new logical data model with dimensional notation
    1. Click File > New > Other, then select Logical Data Model with Dimensional Notation under the Data folder.
    2. Complete the wizard.
    Create a new physical data model with dimensional notation
    1. Click File > New > Other, then select Physical Data Model with Dimensional Notation under the Data folder.
    2. Complete the wizard, and on the Options page, select the Infer facts and dimensions check box.
    Enable dimensional notation on a logical data model Right-click the logical data model and select Use Dimensional Notation.
    Enable dimensional notation on a physical data model Right-click the physical data model and select Use Dimensional Notation.
  2. Optional: After you create a data model with dimensional notation, you can use the workbench to automatically discover the facts and dimensions in the model.
    Note: You can specify the facts and dimensions of the data model manually by editing the properties of the entities and tables. If you choose to let the workbench discover the facts and dimensions, the workbench can also generate a hierarchy for each dimension, based on the relationships between the tables.

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