CUBEVALUE

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the CUBEVALUE formula in Excel. The CUBEVALUE function is a powerful tool that allows you to retrieve data from an OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) cube, such as a Power Pivot data model or an Analysis Services cube. This function is particularly useful for users who work with large datasets and need to extract specific values from multidimensional data sources. We will cover the syntax, examples, tips and tricks, common mistakes, troubleshooting, and related formulae for the CUBEVALUE function.

CUBEVALUE Syntax

The syntax for the CUBEVALUE function is as follows:

=CUBEVALUE(connection, member_expression1, [member_expression2], …)

Where:

• connection is the name of the workbook connection to the OLAP cube. This is usually a text string enclosed in double quotes, such as “PowerPivot Data” or “Analysis Services Connection”.
• member_expression1 is the first member expression that defines the data you want to retrieve from the cube. This can be a reference to a cell containing a member expression, a CUBEMEMBER function, or a text string enclosed in double quotes.
• [member_expression2] (optional) is the second member expression that further refines the data you want to retrieve. You can provide additional member expressions as needed, separated by commas.

CUBEVALUE Examples

Let’s explore some examples of how to use the CUBEVALUE function in Excel.

Example 1: Retrieving a single value from a Power Pivot data model

Suppose you have a Power Pivot data model containing sales data, and you want to retrieve the total sales for a specific product. You can use the CUBEVALUE function as follows:

=CUBEVALUE(“PowerPivot Data”, “[Measures].[Total Sales]”, “[Product].[Product Name].&[Product A]”)

This formula will return the total sales for “Product A” from the Power Pivot data model.

Example 2: Retrieving a value based on multiple criteria

Imagine you want to retrieve the total sales for a specific product in a specific region. You can use the CUBEVALUE function with multiple member expressions as follows:

=CUBEVALUE(“PowerPivot Data”, “[Measures].[Total Sales]”, “[Product].[Product Name].&[Product A]”, “[Region].[Region Name].&[North]”)

This formula will return the total sales for “Product A” in the “North” region from the Power Pivot data model.

Example 3: Using cell references and CUBEMEMBER functions

You can also use cell references and CUBEMEMBER functions in your CUBEVALUE formula to make it more dynamic. For example, if cell A1 contains the product name and cell A2 contains the region name, you can use the following formula:

=CUBEVALUE(“PowerPivot Data”, “[Measures].[Total Sales]”, CUBEMEMBER(“PowerPivot Data”, “[Product].[Product Name].&[” & A1 & “]”), CUBEMEMBER(“PowerPivot Data”, “[Region].[Region Name].&[” & A2 & “]”))

This formula will return the total sales for the product and region specified in cells A1 and A2, respectively.

CUBEVALUE Tips & Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the CUBEVALUE function:

• When using text strings as member expressions, make sure to enclose them in double quotes and use the appropriate syntax for your OLAP cube. For example, use “&” to concatenate strings and square brackets to enclose dimension and measure names.
• Use cell references and CUBEMEMBER functions to make your CUBEVALUE formulas more dynamic and easier to update.
• If you need to retrieve multiple values from a cube, consider using the CUBESET function to define a set of members and then use the CUBEVALUE function with the CUBESET function to retrieve the values.

Common Mistakes When Using CUBEVALUE

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using the CUBEVALUE function:

• Not enclosing text strings in double quotes or using incorrect syntax for member expressions.
• Using an incorrect or non-existent connection name. Make sure to use the correct name for your workbook connection to the OLAP cube.
• Providing too many or too few member expressions, which can result in errors or incorrect values being returned.

Why Isn’t My CUBEVALUE Working?

If your CUBEVALUE function is not working as expected, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check the syntax of your member expressions and ensure they are enclosed in double quotes and use the correct syntax for your OLAP cube.
• Verify that your workbook connection to the OLAP cube is valid and has the correct name.
• Ensure that you are providing the appropriate number of member expressions for the data you want to retrieve.
• Examine any cell references or CUBEMEMBER functions in your formula for errors or incorrect values.

CUBEVALUE: Related Formulae

Here are some related formulae that you may find useful when working with the CUBEVALUE function:

• CUBEMEMBER: Retrieves a member from an OLAP cube. Can be used in conjunction with CUBEVALUE to create dynamic formulas.
• CUBESET: Defines a set of members from an OLAP cube. Can be used with CUBEVALUE to retrieve multiple values at once.
• CUBERANKEDMEMBER: Retrieves a specific member from a set based on its rank. Can be used with CUBEVALUE to retrieve ranked values.
• CUBEKPIMEMBER: Retrieves a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) member from an OLAP cube. Can be used with CUBEVALUE to retrieve KPI values.
• CUBESETCOUNT: Returns the number of members in a set. Can be used in conjunction with CUBESET and CUBEVALUE to retrieve values for all members in a set.

By mastering the CUBEVALUE function and its related formulae, you can unlock the full potential of Excel when working with large, multidimensional datasets from OLAP cubes.