Import process (dimension)

The Import process for dimension copies a dimension structure from an external source, such as a text file or an SQL Server database, to a model.

 Tip:  In Process Manager, if you are creating a process group that includes more than one Import Data process, you may want to distinguish them by placing each in its own folder with a descriptive name; for example, Import dimension, Import data, and so on.

General tab

  • Description: Optional. Up to 250 characters.

  • Import Type: Select Import dimension. (The import data option is described here.)

  • Target: Select the model and the dimension to import to.

  • Check Impact: To see a graphical analysis of all the models and dimensions that the process will affect, click Check Impact.

Source tab

  • File: To select an Excel workbook or text file that is already in FP&A Plus, click . (To upload an external file, click .)

    For an Excel workbook, in Options you can also specify the sheet to import from and whether to use the first row as headers.

Import Options tab

  • Handling Import Dimension

    • Write option: Your can either have new data added to the existing data, or replace the existing data.

Target Mapping tab

The final step is to map or match the source data fields to the target fields, for the destination dimensions. You can do this manually or use the Auto Match feature.

  • Target: Shows the properties of the dimension you selected in the General tab.

  • Source: Select a property to import to the target dimension.

    To map the fields, click . (You will be able to edit/reject the results.)

  • Transformation: Optionally, you can add a mapping table; browse to select an existing one or click to open the Mapping Table Editor to create one.

    If for Source you chose Specific member, click to open Member Selector and choose a member.

Save the process group.

 Note:   If you are importing members into a Version dimension, after you run the process a warning appears in the Task Log instructing you to open Model Manager and manually update the properties of the imported Version members.