Specifying the TIME Dimension

The TIME dimension is a unique type of dimension for SAS OLAP cubes. When building a cube, and specifically, when defining a dimension, you must select the type of dimension that you are creating. You can create STANDARD-, TIME-, or GEO-type dimensions. For the TIME dimension, you can also provide time hierarchies with the input table for the cube. Supplied time hierarchies can help you build the dimension and auto-populate the levels and some level properties for the cube.

On the Dimension Designer – General page select the TIME type dimension. On the Dimension Designer – Level page, the Add button becomes a drop-down list of options. The Add levels and Add supplied time hierarchies options are now available for selection.

The Add Levels dialog box enables you to select input columns for the levels that you are adding to the dimension. When you select the Add levels option, the Add Levels dialog box appears. You can select from a list of available input columns and add them to the list of input columns for new levels.

In the Dimension Designer, the Add supplied time hierarchies option becomes available when a dimension is defined as a TIME-type dimension and supplied time hierarchies are available. When you select the Add supplied time hierarchies option, the Add Supplied dialog box appears. For time-specific dimensions, you can select from a list of supplied time hierarchies. These supplied time hierarchies can help you build the dimension and auto-populate the levels and some level properties for the cube. In this dialog box, you select from a list of supplied time hierarchies for the dimension. The Add Supplied dialog box is available only if the TIME type is selected on the Dimension Designer – General page.