Publish or push data from Cube's Spreadsheet Apps to be organized and saved in the cloud, so your Cube data reflects the most current and accurate information. This guide is designed to help you navigate the publishing process effectively and optimize your workflow.
Learn how publishing works and how to publish from the Spreadsheet App.
Spreadsheet and range considerations
Templates, ranges, and spreadsheets must be set up correctly to support your goals. For the sections of your spreadsheet used primarily for publishing data back to Cube, the practices below support Cube in organizing the data it receives into the dimensions defined in the range. This setup is often completed during template building or when connecting an existing spreadsheet to Cube, but should be reviewed each time you use this workbook to publish.
Review and validate the range
When publishing in Cube, the range you define is how your data is organized and processed. Cube stores your data at child dimension members, so parent dimension members can't be selected in your range. Dimension members sourced from formulas or tags also cannot be published to.
Learn more about dimensions and our data model.
By thoroughly reviewing your selected range before publishing, you ensure all dimensions you wish to update are correctly configured, placed, and at the child level. This careful verification enhances the accuracy of your data organization and streamlines the publishing process, leading to more reliable results.
The validate feature in the Spreadsheet App catches naming errors, ensuring your data aligns with Cube dimensions. It prevents publishing issues caused by typos or changes. Use validate for a quick check and hassle-free publishing. This also confirms that the range has been set up correctly.
Learn more about validating in the Spreadsheet App.
Hide, don't delete, repetitive dimensions
All dimensions must be cited when publishing so Cube knows where to store and recall your data, even if all dimensional data isn't required for the report or dataset you're building.
Dimensions typically include a child dimension member named with "- other" to capture your data in a non-specific way. You may have changed the name, but the purpose remains to ensure the data you publish isn't tied to a specific dimension.
These dimensions may be included directly in your spreadsheet, such as in the image below, or your range filters in the Spreadsheet App:
When they are directly in your spreadsheet, hiding these columns or rows allows Cube to account for them without cluttering your workspace.
Learn more about setting up your template or spreadsheet to work with Cube.
Multiple ranges per sheet or file
Incorporating multiple ranges within a single sheet or across your spreadsheet file can significantly enhance collaboration and clarity in financial analysis. Teams can work more effectively on large and complex spreadsheets by setting up distinct ranges, each tailored for specific purposes like fetching and publishing in different areas or handling various currencies. This approach facilitates better understanding and management of data and ensures that access and permissions are appropriately controlled.
Validating these ranges routinely before publishing acts as a critical quality check. It confirms the correct setup and ensures that only the intended data is published, thereby maintaining data integrity and precision in your financial reporting.
Whole range vs. selected area
You can publish the entire data range or a smaller set of selected cells. This choice depends on the specific data you need to update in Cube, providing a tailored approach to data management. When publishing, you can toggle between these options by checking or unchecking the Use selected area option.
Include additional details when publishing
Marking Rows/Columns as Attributes
Publishing attributes in Cube allows you to enhance your data with additional layers of detail, enriching the context and depth of your financial analysis. By marking specific rows or columns as attributes before publishing, you ensure these nuanced details are captured and integrated into Cube. This added layer of information is invaluable when you drill into your data later, offering a more comprehensive and insightful view of your financial landscape.
Learn more about using drilldown in the Spreadsheet App.
Include a change message
Incorporating a change message when you publish in Cube clearly records what was altered and the reasons behind these changes. This message becomes a part of the audit trail alongside your published record, providing a transparent and traceable history of modifications. This feature fosters clear communication and understanding among team members about the nature and rationale of each data update, enhancing collaboration and accountability in financial data management.
Remember, effective publishing in Cube is about understanding your data model, optimizing your setup, and choosing the right options for your needs. Following these best practices will enhance the accuracy and efficiency of working with your Cube data.