Oracle Essbase 9 Implementation Guide- P62 pot

Getting the most out of the Microsoft Excel Add-in [ 290 ] Summary Well, there you have it! In this chapter we have learned how you can generate reports using the Essbase Add-in for Microsoft Excel or Visual Explorer or Essbase Query Designer, as well as the capabilities of each type of reporting. What we recommend now is to just start playing with the add-in. Try creating custom data sheets by rst performing simple retrieves. Then, as you become more comfortable and condent, you can begin setting up advanced row and column headings by using the double-click and pivoting functions or by using the fully functional Essbase Member Selection tool to populate your spreadsheet's row and column headings. Once you've become adept at setting up good looking spreadsheets and reports, you can start playing around with retrieving data into your sheets, then Locking and Sending the data back to the database. Next up, is how to automate your Essbase database system. We will show you an assortment of functionality options included in your Essbase package that allow you to automate routine tasks, from the very basic and menial, to the large and complex. You can turn everyday chores into automatically running batch jobs that do everything from dynamically adding dimension members to the database outline, to loading and calculation data, to actually building presentation and analysis cubes. This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com Automating your Essbase Cube If you've made it this far and you're still coherent, congratulations! Upto now there has been a tremendous amount of information for you to absorb, all of it necessary. With all that we have presented to you to this point you should be able to take your Essbase journey from a complete installation to a fully functioning Essbase database. Complimenting your fully functioning Essbase database is your knowledge of the many ways to load and calculate the data in your Essbase database. You also have a good understanding of how to utilize the powerful Essbase Add-in for Microsoft Excel, allowing you to interact with your database and the data contained in it. In this chapter you will learn that many of the routine tasks required to keep your Essbase system functioning at its best can be automated. Further, many of the routine administrative tasks can be automated and the functionality then provided to your business customers so they can perform for themselves many of the administrative duties that pertain to their business operations. Some of these types of tasks include adding new users, granting permissions, executing data loads, and running database calculations. This chapter is divided into three main sections and each section speaks to a different method that can be used to automate Essbase functions and commands. This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com Automating your Essbase Cube [ 292 ] In the rst section, we discuss the Essbase command scripts, or Ess-Commands, or simply EssCmds. The Essbase command scripting functionality is a holdover from the very earliest versions of Essbase and was rumored to be phased out completely in Essbase versions higher than version 9.x. We have since found out that Essbase version 11.x will now contain EssCmd functionality to give you more time to convert your scripts to the newer MaxL scripting language. The new MaxL scripting language has replaced EssCmd and provides superior functionality and ease of use. Although we are covering Essbase command scripts here we recommend you use the new MaxL scripting language and the Essbase API instead, especially if you are developing a new system. The second section is where we discuss the Essbase MaxL scripting language which has been developed to not only replace the aging Essbase command scripting language, but also offer enhanced functionality while providing less cryptic and easier to use command words. In the third section, we discuss the Essbase Application Programming Interface or API. The Essbase API has evolved over the successive versions into a very powerful set of tools for the developer. What top of the line application package does not include a complete array of API tools? You just have to gure that Essbase would have one of the best available. The Essbase API can be accessed from Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, known as VBA, and included with all Microsoft Ofce components. The API can also be accessed from Visual Basic and COM+ applications, and the API can also be accessed from Java programs. All in all it is a very versatile and extremely useful tool to have in your Essbase toolbox! Essbase command scripts (EssCmd) EssCmd is a command-line Essbase interface that can perform operations interactively through a command-line window or through a batch or script le. EssCmd operates independently of any other Essbase analytic services interface, including the EAS tool, the Essbase add-in, or any custom-built application programs. The Essbase command scripting language, affectionately known as Ess-Command or just EssCmd, is a highly functional set of tools that are used to automate many tasks in the world of Essbase. Although EssCmd has been phased out in the latest versions of Essbase it's still a good idea that you become familiar with EssCmd and what you can do with it. If you ever inherit an existing system that is still using an older version of Essbase chances are that it will have lots of EssCmds in use. This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com Chapter 8 [ 293 ] For starters an Essbase command script le object is actually an ASCII text le with a le extension of .scr. As with all Essbase objects you must follow the naming conventions we have previously discussed. All Essbase le objects can be named using upto 8 characters, can have no spaces in the name, and must be located in a folder or directory path that does not contain spaces. Creating an Essbase command script There is only one way to create a usable EssCmd. Because an EssCmd le object is actually an ASCII text le you can open any text editor and begin entering commands. The text editor is also how you would modify an existing Essbase command script. Although there is no formal EssCmd script editor supplied with Essbase there is comprehensive help included in the online help that is supplied with the EAS tool. To access this excellent EssCmd resource simply click Help | Information Map to open your web browser and bring up the following screenshot: This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com Automating your Essbase Cube [ 294 ] From the Essbase Administration Services Information Map screen, click the Technical Reference link under the Reference column, to bring up the following screenshot: On the Technical Reference Overview screen you will see help topics listed for most of the technical aspects of Essbase, its peripheral functions, and its services. From this screen you can click on the EssCmd link to access step-by-step instructions on how to create, edit, and execute an Essbase command script. Begin by opening a blank text le and saving it with the .scr le extension. Please use these les with caution. In a Windows-based system, a le with the .scr extension is usually associated with a screensaver le type. When opening an EssCmd le, it is best to open your text editor and use the File | Open method to open an Essbase command script. This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com . sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 20 09 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 794 23 Download at Boykma.Com Automating your Essbase Cube [ 294 ] From the Essbase Administration Services Information. from the very earliest versions of Essbase and was rumored to be phased out completely in Essbase versions higher than version 9. x. We have since found out that Essbase version 11.x will now contain. 794 23 Download at Boykma.Com Automating your Essbase Cube [ 292 ] In the rst section, we discuss the Essbase command scripts, or Ess-Commands, or simply EssCmds. The Essbase command scripting functionality