Create a dimension or fact table

A Dimension holds descriptive data, such as customers, products or dates. A Fact holds measurable events, such as sales or orders. Use this page to create either one: set it up step by step in its editor, save the steps, then deploy it. Data that is worked out by a query instead belongs in a View.

Before you start

A table needs at least one logical model and one source system before it can be saved. Create them first, as described in Semantic sources, source systems and logical models.

The table editor

A table opens in its own window with five tabs: Table, Preview, Dependants, Settings and Transformations. The Table tab's label is the table type, so it reads Dimension or Fact.

• The Table tab holds the setup wizard: five steps, General, Columns, Dependencies, RLS and Indexes, marked by a stepper at the top.
• Its footer carries Previous, Revert, Apply, Next and Finish. Previous is greyed out on the first step, and on the last step Next becomes Finish.
• Preview stays greyed out until the table is deployed; Preview table data covers it.
• Dependants lists the objects built on the table; Dependencies and dependants covers it and the read-only Dependencies step.
• Settings and Transformations fill in as the table is saved and deployed; see Dimension and fact settings and Table transformations.

Save, revert and move on

• Apply saves the step you are on; Revert drops the changes made since your last save.
• Each step saves on its own. The first save creates the table; later saves update it.
• Moving on, finishing or leaving the Table tab with unsaved changes opens the Unsaved Changes dialog: "You have unsaved changes. How would you like to proceed?". Choose Save & Continue to save the step first and continue. While the table is still being created, saving is the only way forward; once it is saved, you can also discard the changes.
• A step with empty or invalid required fields stops you with a Validation Error that names the problem, for example "Table name is required".

Create the table

1. Click New > Dimension or Fact in the tree toolbar. You can also start from the Add New panel or from a right-click on a tree row; Create Warehouse objects lists every entry point.
2. On General, type a Name. It is required.
3. Choose at least one Logical Models and at least one Source Systems.
4. Optionally choose Permission Groups and type a Description. If you leave Permission Groups empty, the table is saved for the admin group only.
5. For a Dimension, set Store History and Enable Retention if you need them. For a Fact, Partition Frequency is already set to Day, the only option that can be selected today. Dimension and fact general settings covers both cards in full.
6. Click Next.
7. On Columns, add the columns the table needs. See Define table columns. Then click Next.
8. Check Dependencies, set RLS if the table needs row-level security, and review Indexes. See Dependencies and dependants, Warehouse permissions and row-level security and Table indexes.
9. Click Finish.
10. Open Settings and click Deploy. Then open Transformations and click Add Transformation. See Dimension and fact settings, Table transformations and Deploy, run, truncate and monitor tables.

What you cannot change later

• Type: a table keeps the type it was created with; a Dimension cannot become a Fact, or the other way around. Create a new table of the type you need instead.
• Partition Frequency: fixed for a Fact when it is created; only Day can be selected today.

Everything else stays editable when you reopen the table, except the Name, which locks after the first save.

Limits and edge cases

• A table can have up to 20 logical models, 20 permission groups and 20 source systems.
• The table's Name is required and is checked against a length rule that counts URL-encoded characters; Dimension and fact general settings gives the exact limit and message.
• The table's label allows up to 255 characters; the window title uses it once the table is saved.

Permissions

Without Add/Modify Warehouse Objects, saving is refused. For the full list, see Warehouse permissions and row-level security.

Questions, answered

Can I change a table's type after I create it?

No. A table keeps the type it was created with; a Dimension cannot become a Fact, or the other way around. Create a new table of the type you need instead.

Can I change the partition frequency after I create a Fact?

No. Partition Frequency is fixed when the Fact is created, and only Day can be selected today. You cannot change it later.

Why does the RLS step say "Permission Groups Required"?

Row-level security needs at least one permission group. Add one under Permission Groups on General, then return to RLS; the Go to General button takes you there.

Why don't I see Apply or Revert?

Both appear only while the step you are on has changes. Edit a field and they show up in the footer.

Does finishing deploy the table?

No. Finish closes the editor; it does not put the table in the warehouse. To deploy it, save the table and click Deploy on the Settings tab. See Dimension and fact settings.

Do I have to fill in all five steps in one go?

No. Each step saves on its own, and a saved table opens again with every step available. Come back and finish the remaining steps when you are ready, then deploy from Settings.