Attributes represent subcategories of a broader category, or dimension. For example, Product Code and Product Name can be attributes of a dimension, Product Line. For an attribute to be useful in a summary table, it must be associated with a dimension field in the data set. Multiple attribute columns associated with a single dimension field are called peer attribute columns. In a summary table that contains one or more dimension columns, and associated attributes, data in the attribute columns cannot be grouped and does not display subtotals.
In a summary table that contains one or more peer attribute columns, and no dimension columns, data in the attribute columns cannot be grouped and does not display subtotals. In a summary table that contains one or more non‑peer attribute columns and no dimension columns, data in the outermost attribute column is grouped and displays subtotal aggregate values.
Attribute columns appear following the associated dimension column in a summary table. When you insert an attribute column in a summary table containing the associated dimension column, the attribute appears after the dimension column.
The example in Figure 3‑13 shows a dimension column, Country, an associated attribute column, State, and a measure column, Quantity Ordered. There are no grouped columns in the summary tables and Report Studio displays aggregate values for the entire table.
Figure 3‑13 Dimension, associated attribute, and measure columns
When you insert an attribute column in a summary table that does not contain an associated dimension column, or other attribute columns, the attribute column is inserted to the left in the report table, but cannot be grouped if it is the only attribute column in the summary table. When you insert one or more non‑peer attribute columns in a summary table with no dimension columns, you can group data in the outermost attribute column, and subtotal values are displayed for this grouped column.
The example in Figure 3‑14 shows two non‑peer attribute columns, State and Product Name, and one measure column. Data in the State column is grouped, and aggregate data values are displayed for each group. When you insert an attribute column in a summary table containing a dimension column that is not associated with it or the other attribute columns in the summary table, the new column appears in the position you select, as shown in Figure 3‑15.
Figure 3‑14 Attribute and measure columns
Figure 3‑15 Inserting a non‑associated attribute field in a summary table
In a summary table containing multiple dimensions and associated attribute fields, you can reorder attribute fields only among peer attribute fields. To move an attribute field, select the column, and choose Reorder Columns from the context menu. When you move a dimension column with its associated attribute columns in a summary table, the columns are placed in their new position as a single unit. You cannot move a dimension column without moving the associated attribute columns.
To delete each attribute column, select each column, and choose Delete.
