3. Select fields from database.

This screen is used to select which fields we want to use to create the cube. The fields are from the tables chosen in the Source database table or file selection  section. When first you enter this screen, all the fields from the tables are chosen.

This screen's options are:

  • Duplicate records : Normally, database don't keep duplicate records. We don't want to store twice the same invoice, because we would get less revenue than expected. But there are queries where we will get duplicate data, for example, list the cities where we sell our products. Since ususally we will sell more than once in a city, we would get duplicate cities. This option tells the database to remove duplicate records from the query output.
  • Add  : Use this button to add a field or a formula to the query. The Add columns dialog will appear.
  • Edit : If you wish to modify a field information, select it on the field's list and press this button to modify it. The Add columns dialog will appear, but filled with the field information.
  • Remove : If you choose a field from the list and it is not used in the cube definition, you can remove it from the list. You can use this fields as cube measures or cube levels.
  • U: Moves one place up this field in the field's list.
  • D: Moves one place below this field in the field's list.
  • Back: If you choose this button you will return to the previous page.
  • Next: If you choose this button you will advance to the next page.

In the field list appear the following fields:

  • Owner : Table owner used in relational databases.
  • Table : Table name in the database.
  • Table alias : Table name. Usually is the same as the table name.
  • Field / Formula : This is the field that will be read from the database. You can create a database formula using the  Add column dialog.
  • Alias: This is the name of a formula or a name assigned to a particular field. Usually is the same name as the field. This assures us that there are no name fields repeated between the tables..
  • Type: Field type or kind of data that is kept in the field. It can be one of the following: Char,  Date or Number .
  • Aggregate: This is a function that is applied to the field. This function can be one of the following: Sum, Average, Max, Min or Count records. For examole,  you could wish to see the total of sales for a customer or a period of time without seeing their detail. The number of invoices in a period, etc. Simply choose fields 'customer name' and 'Invoice total' with the Sum aggregate to obtain sales by customer's name.

If you receive an error when retrieving table and column information from the database, please click here.

If you selected at least one field, you can use the Next button to proceed to section 4. Identify relations between tables in the query.

The Back button will take you to section 2. Source database table or file selection.