This document provides an introduction to writing MDX queries and member formulas. It covers basic MDX syntax including selecting members on columns and rows, specifying member names, understanding tuples and sets, and useful MDX functions like Children, Descendants, Generations, and Levels. It also discusses creating simple member formulas using relative and absolute references, and more advanced concepts like IIF, CASE, rolling calculations, and working with multiple time dimensions. Exercises are included to help apply the concepts.

1. Getting Started with MDX
Ron Moore
Topdown Consulting, Inc.
and
Monica Christie
Camuto Group

2. About Topdown consulting

3. Objective is to get you writing code fast
Quick intro - A LOT more to learn
Three sections
1. Queries
2. Basic member formulas
3. Beyond basics
You should already understand Essbase Outlines and
multidimensional concepts
Exercises use (modified) ASOSamp Application
One hierarchy has answers and one for your work
About the Workshop

4. Where is MDX used?
Queries for ASO and BSO
ASO member formulas and stored calcs
Smart View / Smart Query
Embedded in MaxL
Triggers, ASO Clear regions .

5. 1 - Queries
MDX SCRIPT EDITOR
MDX Script Editor

6. Syntax basics and concepts
1 - Queries

7. Every number lives in an intersection
Every intersection has a name
One member name (coordinate) from each
(stored) dimension
Rule #1 of Multi-D databases

8. SELECT {Sales} ON COLUMNS
FROM [sample.basic]
{Year} ON ROWS
,
WHERE (East,Actual)
{[100]} ON AXIS (2)
,
A Simple Example 1 - Queries
SELECTSELECT
FROM [sample.basic]

9. Specifying Member Names
East or [2014] or [Gross Profit]
Markets.East or [Markets].[East]
Member only or Dimension.Member
● Dimension.member is best practice
● Dimension is required if it’s ambiguous
With or without square brackets
● Member name begins with a character other than a letter
● Member name has spaces
● Member name is also an MDX key word
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10. Understanding Tuples and Sets
1 - Queries

11. Sets are Multiple Members
from One Dimension
SELECT { [Sales], [Profit] } ON COLUMNS,
{ [Qtr1], [Qtr2], [Qtr3], [Qtr4] } ON ROWS,
{ [Colas], [Root Beer], [Cream Soda] } ON AXIS(2)
FROM [sample.basic]
where ([East],[Actual])
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A Set is:
• One or more members from the
same dimension
• Enclosed in braces
• Separated by commas
1 - Queries

12. Tuples Specify Intersections
SELECT { [Dec] , [Jan] } ON COLUMNS,
{ [Units],[Transactions] } ON ROWS
From [ASOSamp.Sample]
([Prev Year], ) ([Curr Year], )
Dec Jan
Units #Missing 42,228
Transactions #Missing 44,500
1 - Queries

13. Understanding Tuples
( [Actual],[Sales] )
( [Sales] )
( [Jan],[Actual],[Sales] )
1 - Queries

14. Understanding Tuples
Collection of member names separated by
commas, enclosed in parentheses
INTERSECTION! - No more than one member
from each dimension
Omit dimensions to include all elements of that
dimension
A tuple that specifies one member name from
each dimension is a single cell
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1 - Queries

15. Understanding Sets
{ ( [Sales] ),
( [Prof % ]) }
{ ( [Sales], [P1] ),
([Prof % ], [P1] ) }
{ ( [Sales], [P1], [Jan] ),
( [Prof % ], [P1],[Jan] ) }
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1 - Queries

16. Understanding Sets
Sets are collections of tuples separated
by commas, enclosed in braces { }
Tuples within a set must have the same
dimensions in the same order
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1 - Queries

17. Syntax Review
Select - From - Where query structure
Specifying Member Names
● MemberName or [Member Name]
● [MemberName] or [Dim].[Member Name]
Tuples
● ( MemberName1, MemberName 2 )
● Only one member from each dimension
● Includes all members from missing dimensions
Sets
● { (Tuple1), (Tuple2) }
● Tuples must have same dims in same order
1 - Queries

18. members in our queries. Sets:
● Member-by-member
● Tuple-by-tuple
So far 1 - Queries
Now
MDX functions
● Children
● Descendants
● Generations
● Levels

19. Useful Functions 1 - Queries

20. Set of Children
{ [Qtr1].Children }
Or
{ Children([Qtr1]) }
Time
MTD
1st Half
Qtr1
Jan
Feb
Mar
Qtr2
Apr
May
Jun
1 - Queries

21. Set of Descendants
Syntax
Descendants ( member , [{ layer | index }[, Desc_flags ]])
Example
Descendants ( [N Amer], 2 , After )
Options
● Layer refers to a generation or level
● Index is n layers down from the member
● Flags specify relationships
•SELF
•AFTER
•BEFORE
•BEFORE_AND_AFTER
•SELF_AND_AFTER
•SELF_AND_BEFORE
•SELF_BEFORE_AFTER
•LEAVES
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1 - Queries

22. Set of Descendants Part 1 - Queries

23. Marketing Technologies Group | www.mtgny.com
1 - QueriesWhat City?

24. Generations and Levels Functions
Syntax
● Dimension.Generations(#)
● Dimension.Levels(#)
Examples
● [Year].Generations(2).members
● [Year].Levels(0).members
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1 - Queries

25. Generations Property
{[Year].Generations}
{[Year].Generations(2)}
{[Year].Generations(2).Members}
Gen1, Quarters, Months
{Quarters }
{ Qtr1, Qtr2, Qtr3, Qtr4 }
1 - Queries

26. 1 - Queries
Select [Time].Levels(0).Members ON COLUMNS,
{ [Products].Generations(2).members} ON ROWS
FROM [KSCOPE14].[SAMPLE]
Select [Time].Levels(index).Members ON COLUMNS,
{ [Products].Generations(index).members} ON ROWS
FROM [KSCOPE14].[SAMPLE]
Generations and Levels Functions

27. Suppress missing rows and/or columns
SELECT NON EMPTY { [Qtr1].Children } ON COLUMNS,
NON EMPTY Descendants([Geography] ,2, After) ON ROWS
FROM [KSCOPE14].[Sample]
Non Empty

28. Exercises
Exercise
● 1 – My first query
● 2 – Creating intersection
● 3 – Functions: children and levels
● 4 – Functions: descendants and generations
Note: Please use KSCOPE14.sample
1 - Queries

29. 2. Basic member
formulas

30. Simple Ratios 2 – member
formulas

31. Simple Ratios with Relative
References
([Jan], [Avg Units / Transaction] ) = ( [Jan], [Units] ) / ( [Jan], [Transactions])
Calculation POV from left side is passed to all terms on the right side
([Feb], [Avg Units / Transaction] ) = ( [Feb], [Units] ) / ( [Feb], [Transactions])
( [Avg Units / Transaction] ) = ( [Units] ) / ( [Transactions])
2 – member
formulas

32. Crossing One Dimension
Price = ( [Markets],[Price] )

33. Fixed (Absolute) References
( Share) = ( Sales) / ([Total Market] , Sales)
(NY, Share) = (NY, Sales) / ([Total Market] , Sales)
(MA,Share) = (MA,Sales) / ([Total Market] , Sales)
(CT, Share) = (CT, Sales) / ([Total Market] , Sales)
The POV from the left side is passed to all terms on the right side
Unless you override it with a member name
2 – member
formulas

34. Fixed References on Multiple
Dimensions
( Price) = (Market, Product, Price)
(NY, [Diet Cola], Price) = (Market, Product, Price )
(MA, Cola, Price) = (Market, Product, Price)
( CT, Cola, Price) = (Market, Product, Price)
2 – member
formulas

35. [Pct of Worldwide Units] = Units / “worldwide units”
[Pct of WW Units ] = Units / ( Geography, Units)
[Pct of All Ages WW Units] = Units / ( [Age Groups],Geography, Units)
Pct of Total

36. Trans Pct of Parent
Relative Reference
[Transactions]/
([Transactions],[Geography].CurrentMember.Parent)
Absolute Reference
[Transactions]/
([Transactions],[Geography].[Connecticut].Parent)
2 – member
formulas

37. 2 – member
formulasTrans Pct of Parent
CurrentMember.parent = to nesting
functions
CT/North East
Sum of North East and South = 1
Geography 0 because it does not have
a parent

38. 2 – member
formulasTrans Pct of Region x Prod Fam
Ancestor ( member, layer | index )
CurrentMember.parent = to nesting
functions
CT/North East
Sum of North East and South = 1
Geography 0 because it does not have
a parent

39. 2 – member
formulasTrans Pct of Region x Prod Fam
Ancestor ( member, layer | index )
CurrentMember.parent = to nesting
functions
CT/North East
Sum of North East and South = 1
Geography 0 because it does not have
a parent

40. Bonus material

41. Parents on Two Dimensions

42. Two Dimensions with Parent
[Transactions]/
([Transactions],
[Geography].CurrentMember.Parent,
[Products].CurrentMember.Parent
)

43. Ancestors on Two Dimensions

44. Two Dims with Ancestor
[Transactions]/
([Transactions],
Ancestor ([Geography].CurrentMember,
[Geography].Generations(2)
),
Ancestor ([Products].CurrentMember,
[Products].Generations(2)
)
)

45. Part 3 Beyond Basics
IIF
CASE
Rolling calculations

46. IIF(Conditional test,True logic,False logic )
IIF(
IsUDA([Measures].currentmember, “Expense”),
[Prev Year] – [Curr Year],
[Curr Year] – [Prev Year]
)
IIF

47. CASE
When condition Then logic
Else (optional)
End
CASE
When IS([Time].Currentmember, [Qtr1])
Then [Mar]
End
Case

48. PrevMember and NextMember
Syntax
[Member].PrevMember
Example
[Sales] =
( [Sales],
[Year].CurrentMember.PrevMember
)
* 1.10
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49. Lead and Lag
Syntax
member.Lag (index [,layertype ] [, hierarchy ] )
Example
[Sales] =
( [Sales],
[Year].CurrentMember.lag(2)
)
* 1.10

50. Rolling Calculations
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Prev Year 3 4 6 8 9 10 5 5 7 13 9 4
Curr Year 7 3 1 1 6 5 5 - - - - -
One Time Dimension
Two Time Dimensions

51. Functions Used
Avg ( set [,numeric_value_expression [,IncludeEmpty ] ])
Sum ( set [,numeric_value_expression ] )
LastPeriods(numeric_value_expression[,member[,hierarchy]] )
Count ( set [, IncludeEmpty] )

52. Rolling Calculations Step by Step
1. Create a Simple Average()
2. Create a range with LastPeriods()
3. Make range relative with .CurrentMember

53. Avg ( LastPeriods(6, Jun ) , Units)
Rolling Average Example
Avg ( {Jan : Jun } , Units)
Avg ( LastPeriods(6, [Time].Currentmember ), Units)

54. 2D Rolling Calcs
Number of months needed from previous year changes
each month
“Count” the months available in the Currentmember
year
● Count(LastPeriods(6,[Time].Currentmember)
Subtract to get months needed from previous year
● 6 - Count(LastPeriods(6,[Time].Currentmember)
Use the difference relative to Dec
● LastPeriods(
6 - Count(LastPeriods(6,[Time].CurrentMember)),
Dec )

55. 2D Rolling Calc Example
Sum(LastPeriods(6,[Time].Currentmember),Units)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Previous Year 4 4 8 1 1 8 4 9 9 5 5 4
Current Year 8 8 9 7 2 2 9 10 2 6 7 7
9 5 5 4
+ Sum ( set
[,numeric_value_expression ] )
Months NA This Yr
, Last Year’s Units ), (Units,[Years].Currentmember.Prevmember)
LastPeriods(6 - count(LastPeriods(6,[Time].Currentmember))
, Dec)

56. Thank you for attending
The End

57. Deleted Slides

58. Levels and Generations
Function form and property form
Generations and Levels refers to a specific layer
number
Specific generation or level
Dimension.Generations ( GenNum )
Dimension.Levels ( LevNum )
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59. A Set of Ancestors
Ancestors ( member , layer | index )
e.g. Ancestors ( Jan , 2 )
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60. Set of Ancestors
,

61. Example:
Simple Assignments and Ratios
Profit Pct
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Essbase Calc
Language
“Gross Profit” / “Net Sales”;
MDX [Gross profit] / [Net Sales]

62. Example:
Inventory Balance Forward
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Essbase Calc
Language
@Prior(Inventory)
+”Inventory Change”;
MDX ([Measures].[Inventory],
[Year].CurrentMember.PrevMember )
+
( [Measures].[Inventory Change] )

63. Example: Referring to Relatives
Share of Region
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Essbase
Calc
Units /@Ancestval(“Market Total”, 3, Units );
MDX
[Units] /
( [Units],
Ancestor([Market Total].CurrentMember,
[Market Total].Generations(3) )
)

64. Thank you
Thanks for joining
Please email me your comments:
● Your success level
● Speed of presentation
● Quality/Accuracy of documentation
● Effective/ineffective slides and presentations
● Email questions on content and solutions
● rmoore@topdownconsulting.com and/or
monica.christie@camutogroup.com

65. CrossJoin()
Crossjoin() creates the Cartesian product of two sets
Crossjoin( { Jan, Feb }, {[2006], [2007]} )
returns
{(Jan,[2006]),(Jan,[2007]),(Feb,[2006]), (Feb, [2007])}
Notes
● Only 2 sets at time –nest crossjoins for more than 2
● Second set changes fastest
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66. Descendants Using Layer

67. Layer (Reset layer)
QTD YTD
Gen5 Jan Jan Jan
Gen5 Feb Jan+Feb Jan+Feb
Gen5 Mar Jan+Feb+Mar Jan+Feb+Mar
Gen4 Qtr1 Reset
Gen5 Apr Apr Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr
Gen5 May Apr+May Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May
Gen5 Jun Apr+May+Jun Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May+Jun
Gen4 Qtr2 Reset
Gen3 1st Half
Gen5 Jul Jul Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May+Jun+Jul
Gen5 Aug Jul+Aug Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May+Jun+Jul+Aug
Gen5 Sep Jul+Aug+Sep Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May+Jun+Jul+Aug+Sep
Gen4 Qtr3 Reset
Gen5 Oct Oct Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May+Jun+Jul+Aug+Sep+Oct
Gen5 Nov Oct+Nov Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May+Jun+Jul+Aug+Sep+Oct+Nov
Gen5 Dec Oct+Nov+Dec Jan+Feb+Mar+Apr+May+Jun+Jul+Aug+Sep+Oct+Nov+Dec
Gen4 Qtr4 Reset
Gen3 2nd Half
Gen2 Year Total Reset
Gen1 Time

68. Periods to Date
Year To Date
Sum(
{PeriodsToDate ([Time].Generations(2),
[Time].CurrentMember )
}
)
Quarter to Date
Sum(
{PeriodsToDate ([Time].Generations(4),
[Time].CurrentMember )
}
)

70. Create a Simple Average
Syntax:
Avg ( set [,numeric_expression [,IncludeEmpty ] ])
Example:
Avg ({Jan:Jun}, Units)

71. LastPeriods() to Create a Range
Syntax:
LastPeriods ( numeric_expression [, member [, hierarchy ]
] )
Example:
Avg (
LastPeriods( 6, Jun),
Units)
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72. .CurrentMember
to Make the Range Relative
Example:
Avg (
LastPeriods (6, [Time].CurrentMember),
Units)
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73. Syntax Review #1
Select - From - Where query structure
MemberName or [Member Name]
[MemberName] or [Dim].[Member Name]
{ MemberName1, [Member Name2] }
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74. Using Generation or Level Names

75. Share of Ancestor
[Transactions]/
( [Transactions],
Ancestor ( [Geography].CurrentMember,
[Geography].Generations(2)
)
)
Ancestor ( member ,
layer | index
[, hierarchy ]
)