FIX: Order and Format of Dimension Members Not Maintained After Processing (298595)

SYMPTOMS

The format and order of dimension members after processing may not match that seen in the dimension editor data preview pane prior to processing of the dimension. This problem may be seen if the member name column and member key column are derived from the same source column in the dimension table but use different data types.

For example, the problem will occur if the member name column is defined as follows with a data type of Character

Format("dim_time_by_day"."time_the_date", 'mmm dd/yyyy')

and the member key column is defined as follows with a key data type of DBTimeStamp:

Format("dim_time_by_day"."time_the_date", 'mmm dd/yyyy')

CAUSE

If a dimension has not been processed, Analysis Manager builds a temporary, memory-resident structure for display of dimension data. If the dimension has been processed as part of a cube, the dimension data is read from the Analysis Server. During processing, the Analysis Server attempts to optimize storage of dimension information if the member key column and member name column are the same. However, this optimization can cause problems when the member name column and member key column are the same, but use different data types.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (the Analysis Services Components - Sql2kasp1.exe). For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

290211 INF: How to Obtain the Latest SQL Server 2000 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services version 8.0. This problem was first corrected in the Analysis Services Components of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 1.