Using SpotlightXL-Data Subtask

Overview

Within the Data subtask, users can perform various actions such as selecting models and associated views and exploring the data:

• Model: It represents a multi-dimensional structure containing both data and metadata. The Model list box displays all accessible models.
• View: Views are linked to models and serve as starting points for analysis. Default views are automatically generated upon model creation, facilitating navigation through dimensions and data layout. Custom views can be created to preserve specific dimension layouts, member selections, and data arrangements.

To access the Data subtask, navigate to the Analyze task and select the Data subtask. Then, select the View: Default list box to pick both a Model and a View. Once you have selected a model and view, features and functionalities become accessible within the spreadsheet. Actions related to data manipulation in the spreadsheet prompt additional options in the ribbon interface.

See also: How to Work with Model, View, and Report Folder and Organization Functionality.

The following features are available on the Data subtask screen:

Default Views

Default views cannot be deleted, renamed, or moved. For every model, a default layout is automatically generated, listing all dimensions. In the folder drop-down, any additional view appears under the Default view. Default views remain read-only. Data modifications using the Default view are not possible. Configure the view layout as desired, then switch to Design View and Save the view to activate operations like Save Data and Breakback.

See Create a View and Specify View Properties.

Understanding Excel Formulas in Views

For a model view, the values that result from an Excel formula are saved, although, the formula itself is not saved. For instance, in the example below, cell B6 is 13,367.

Now, an Excel formula is added to this cell as shown below.

Once saved, the resulting value is displayed, which is 36,776. The formula (=C6+C7) is not.

To save values that came from Excel formulas, View Properties (accessed by selecting the Analyze task and the Design View subtask and then clicking the Properties action) must have Enable Save set to Yes as shown below.