InfoAssist enables you to create hierarchical reports from a multi-dimensional (cube) data source. Two hierarchy models are supported: Level and Parent/Child. The synonym used to access a cube data source determines which type of hierarchy is in effect. The reporting options and field list displays in the InfoAssist Data pane and the InfoAssist toolbar adjust automatically depending on the requirements of the hierarchy model in the metadata.

Said another way, when you begin to construct a request, InfoAssist provides the appropriate options for you and generates output consistent with the current hierarchy model. If your synonym reflects a:

• Level hierarchy, each hierarchy level is described using a separate field name.

  A report request against a level hierarchy must specify the field name for each level of the hierarchy required in the report. For example, the following request displays the sales volume measure for levels one through three of a Material Class hierarchy. For illustration purposes, the field names in this example are actually Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Typically they would have names that are more descriptive of the data.

  

  In this model, hierarchical information is provided, but levels are not represented visually in the output. An option that is offered in a parent/child hierarchy.

• Parent/Child hierarchy, the hierarchy is described with a set of fields that contain values for properties which describe the position of each member in the hierarchy. For example, there are fields that contain the unique ID of a member, level number, its parent, and the level number of the parent member. To issue a report request, you only need to specify the field name of one of the hierarchy fields. A Hierarchy sort option recreates and formats the hierarchy for display, with appropriate indentations to show the hierarchy levels and relationships.

  For example, the following report again shows the sales volume measure for three levels of the Material Class hierarchy, but the output is very different from the level hierarchy. The parent/child hierarchy output clearly shows the relationships between the hierarchy members.

  

  Using the parent/child model, you can also specify a When condition to select the members of the hierarchy you want to display and/or a Show condition to specify the data in the hierarchy you want to display. See Selecting Records in a Hierarchy.

How much do you need to know about synonyms?

Although the hierarchy type designation in the synonym determines how the report looks, and how much control you have over data retrieval within the hierarchy, you really do not need to know the details of the synonym to successfully create a report. In InfoAssist, reporting options and field list displays automatically adjust to the requirements of the hierarchy model that is in effect in the metadata.