AX2620

Identifying unused items

Reference tables can contain lists of dimensional items to be used in data tables, such as lists of departments or accounts. Periodically you may want to review the lists to see if any items are not used in the system, for troubleshooting or to remove obsolete items.

You can see which items in a reference table are unused by using the Limit to unused items feature. This feature opens the table within a spreadsheet, and automatically applies a filter so that the only items shown are items that are not used in any associated data tables. To determine which items are unused, Axiom checks all data tables that have a lookup relationship to the reference table.

This feature is only available for reference tables. Keep in mind that the feature is only useful if the reference table is the lookup source for at least one data table. If you use this feature on a non-lookup reference table—for example, on a table that defines an import mapping relationship—then every item in the table will be identified as unused because the table is not linked to any data tables.

To identify the unused items in a dimensional reference table:

  1. On the Axiom tab, in the Administration group, click Tables.

  2. In the Table Library section at the bottom of the Tables menu, navigate to the table, and then click Limit to unused items.

    TIP: You can also select this option within the Open Table in Spreadsheet dialog.

  3. In the Open Table in Spreadsheet dialog, select any optional features, such as Apply Autofilter and Open Read-Only.
  4. Click OK.

The selected table opens in a spreadsheet, displaying only the items that are not used in any associated data tables. The tab title for the spreadsheet is Tablename (unused), to differentiate the file from any "normal" Open Table in Spreadsheet instances you may have open.

If, after reviewing the list, you determine that a particular item is obsolete and should be deleted, you can delete the item within the current spreadsheet. Place your cursor in column A of the applicable row, and then select Delete Row from the drop-down list. When you save, the item will be deleted.