AX1755

About column classifications

Each column in Axiom Software tables has an assigned classification that specifies how the data in that column should be treated for reporting purposes. Columns are classified into two broad categories:

• Dimension: The column is a dimension or grouping. These types of columns are typically used to group data in reports, or to display information about dimensional records.

• Value: The column holds reporting data such as actuals, budget, or payroll. This type of data is typically summed based on the dimension or grouping level of the report.

Although all column types have a classification, this property primarily applies to columns that hold numeric data.

How column classifications are used

Column classifications determine the default aggregation behavior for the column when it is included in a data query, such as an Axiom query, a Data Grid component, or a GetData function.

Aggregation refers to how the data query treats multiple values from a column, to result in a single value for each row returned by the query. For example, the query may return the sum of the values, or return the maximum value. Data queries use default aggregation behavior to present the data in the most useful way—for example, to sum data columns and return the maximum value for dimension columns. The default aggregation behavior for a column can be overridden in data queries as needed.

Generally speaking, columns that use the Value classification contain data to be summed, and columns that use the Dimension classification contain dimension codes or groupings that should not be summed.

For example, imagine that a data query returns the following data:

In this example, the CapReq and RegionCode columns hold dimension / grouping codes which should not be summed, whereas the Total column holds values which should be summed.

Generally speaking, data queries in Axiom determine the default aggregation behavior for a numeric column as follows. In this context, "numeric" means any column with a data type of Integer (all types) or Numeric.

• Key columns and validated columns are never summed. The maximum value is always returned.
• Columns with a column classification of Dimension return the maximum value.
• Columns with a column classification of Value are summed.

All other column types, such as String or Boolean, always return the maximum value by default. Although these columns can be set to Value, the only impact of this choice is how the column can be used in the Data Explorer.

In the Data Explorer, column classifications are used to determine whether the column can be used to group the data or not. Columns classified as Dimension can be used to define the row-level data, and columns classified as Value cannot.

Specifying the column classification

All columns are assigned a classification by default. The default classifications are as follows:

• Numeric columns are classified as Value.

• Integer columns (all types) are classified as Dimension in reference tables. In data tables, non-key, non-validated Integer columns are classified as Value, otherwise they are classified as Dimension.

• All other columns are classified as Dimension.

In most cases, the default classification is the correct classification and no manual changes are necessary. The most likely scenario for needing to change a column classification is if you have an Integer column on a reference table that should be classified as Value instead of Dimension.

The Column Classification can be viewed and edited in the Edit Table dialog, on the Columns tab. Columns using the default classification are set to Default, with the name of the default classification for the current column in parentheses. If you want to override the default classification, you can set the column to either Dimension or Value directly.

Example column classification

NOTE: If the column is a key column or a validated column, then the default classification of Dimension cannot be changed.