Performing complex sorts

Sorting is one of those often-requested operations. To sort a hierarchy by a measure is not a problem. Neither is to sort a hierarchy using its member properties. The MDX language has a designated function for that operation and a pretty straightforward one too. Yes, we're talking about the Order() function.

Difficulties appear when we need to sort two or more hierarchies, one inside the other, or when we need to use two or more criteria. Not to mention the confusion when one of the members on columns is supposed to be the criteria for sorting a related hierarchy on rows. These are complex sort operations, operations we'll cover in this recipe.

Let's build a case and see how it should be solved.

Getting ready

Start SQL Server Management Studio and connect to your SSAS 2012 instance. Click on the New Query button and check that the target database is Adventure Works DW 2012.

In this example we're going to use the Product dimension, the Sales Territory dimension, and the...