Create a local cube dialog

Local cubes (.CUB files, also called "offline files") are files created from server-based cubes that allow you to access networked files without a network connection. You can work with a local cube file offline and then synchronize its contents when you reconnect to the network.

To create a local cube:

1. Choose a data source and provide a name for the local cube.
   • Only server cubes appear in the list. You cannot use a local cube to create another local cube.
   • Names must not exceed 24 characters.
2. Decide if you want to use the cube in Perspective or by opening it from MS Excel.
   • Cubes for use in Perspective may contain Perspective-specific annotations, such as footnotes and missing values, which cannot be displayed in Excel.

     Note: A local cube for use in Perspective cannot be created from any cube that only has distinct-count measures. If a cube does not contain any suitable measures, the "for Perspective" option will not be available.

3. Click OK. The Local Cube level selection page for the chosen cube appears. The level selection page lists all the available dimensions on the left-hand side except for the Measures dimension, which appears on the right.
4. Select the levels and measures you want to include in the local cube, and then click OK.
   • You cannot select individual dimension members for a local cube. You must select entire levels.
   • When a level is selected, all the levels above it are selected as well.
   • If the (All) level is selected, the first level below it will be selected as well. This is because slicing is only possible with members of the first level. If the first level is unselected, the (All) level is unselected as well.
   • “Parent-Child” dimensions are displayed without levels. They can only be included in the local cube as a whole.
   • The measures dimension shows only standard measures. Calculated measures cannot be used in local cubes.
5. A File Download dialog box appears. You can choose to open the cube or save it to your computer.
6. If you choose Save, a Save As dialog box appears. Select a location and enter a name for the .CUB file, and then click Save.

Notes:

• A local cube cannot be created from another local cube. Local cubes can only be created from server cubes.
• Dimension members with no data in the server cube are not included in the local cube.
• Annotations, added by Perspective Extended Builder, are only included in the local cube if it is stored in the server cube from which the local cube is created.
• "Distinct count" measures cannot be used in local cubes. Cubes that contain only "Distinct count" measures will not be available for creating local cubes.

  Note: "Distinct count" refers to a count that does not include every single item, but every distinct or different item. For example, in a list that contains three cats and seven dogs, the total count of animals is 10 but the distinct count is two.

• If a cube has all its stored measures hidden, it cannot be used to create a local cube.
• If a server cube has hidden companion measures that are based on a measure, and that measure is included in the local cube, the hidden companion measures will also be included in the local cube.