Adding calculations to cubes

In the previous chapter, you learned how to write simple MDX statements; in this section, we will use that knowledge to extend the FirstCube cube that you have worked on. As covered before, MDX is a language that is used when querying cubes, but it can also be used to define objects in your cube.

In the cube designer you a have tab called Calculations; here you can add different types of calculations such as measures, named sets, and time calculations.

Simple calculated measures

To create a simple calculated measure such as a margin (the difference between revenue and cost) calculation, perform the following steps:

1. Click on the New Calculated Member button in the cube designer.

   

2. Name the measure as [Margin] and add the following expression:

   [Measures].[Sales Amount]-[Measures].[Total Product Cost]

3. Specify that the format string should be Currency.

4. Select the associated measure group to be Fact Internet Sales.

5. Deploy the cube.

   Note

   When you add new calculations, you do not...