Tables in Cube allow you to store both numeric and non-numeric data, providing additional context when planning, reporting, and analyzing. When using them with a range, tables can supplement or contribute to standard Cube dimensional data, making it possible to fetch and analyze both numeric values from dimensions and additional attributes or details stored in a table.
Using ranges and tables together creates more flexible and collaborative reports that are deeply connected to the data necessary to inform your strategic decisions. For example, detailed headcount data in a table managed by your HR team can enrich workforce planning, or sales opportunity details pulled from your CRM into a table can support a more informed pipeline analysis.
This guide covers two ways to work with tables and ranges, including fetching and updating data and best practices for maintaining accuracy:
- Use tables to inform or transform data stored in Cube dimensions
- Store table data in Cube as dimensional attributes
Tables that inform or transform a range
When using tables alongside a range, you can pull data into your spreadsheet that was saved to Cube as a table, use that data to develop your models, and publish it back to Cube as a scenario. This method works well when using pipeline data from your CRM to inform forecasts or employee data from your HR team to align budgets.
1. Populate the table with data
This can occur in another workbook using exported data from a source system or by another Cube user, making it easier to request data from your colleagues. Learn more about the steps to setting up your table.
Table data is saved to the selected scenario(s) in Cube so they can contain variations of data for any scenario needed for planning and analysis. Anyone with permission to access the table and/or scenario(s) can pull it into other spreadsheets and update them as needed. This enables you to collaborate with colleagues who may need to manage the data that supports your work.
2. Fetch the table into your workbook
When your table data is ready to use, pull it anywhere into your workbook. It can be on the same tab or sheet next to a range or a different tab or sheet to use as a reference. Learn more about opening an existing table.
In the example below, opportunities and their details inform the pipeline forecast in Cube. Opportunities were exported from Salesforce and saved to a table named Opportunities alongside additional data that can be used for planning and analysis.
We fetched this Opportunities table (in blue) to this workbook. Then, we used this data to perform a few calculations (Weighted Amt and Duration) and used all of this data to inform our Forecast (in green).
3. Publish the scenario to Cube
Our Cube range to save our forecast data begins in the cells starting at Forecast, Feb-25. Learn more about selecting a range.
We're using spreadsheet formulas in the cells for Weighted Amt and Duration and inside our Forecast range to break down the data from the Opportunities table into the months for the start and end dates.
Now, this data can be published to a forecast or any other scenario to save it in Cube.
Learn more about publishing to Cube.
4. Refresh workbook data
When using a workbook that includes ranges and a table, refresh the table to load any new data. Click Fetch Table, and Cube will pull in the updated values, including any changes in formatting or additions to the rows or columns of the table.
Tables can be fetched to a sheet and then moved if your workbook structure also changes.
If the data in your range should come from Cube and isn't calculated using spreadsheet formulas, you may need to refresh the rest of the data in your range, too. Reselect your range if necessary, adjust any filters, and then click Fetch Data to pull in updated data for the defined range.
Learn more about fetching data from Cube.
Table data as dimensional attributes
Tables can also be used to organize data that could be stored as additional details or attributes on dimensions. This can be useful for gathering additional information, such as from department leaders for expense budgeting, and storing those details alongside their values in Cube.
In this method, the range overlaps the table and includes dimensions in the first few table columns to help direct the data to the correct locations. The rest of the columns are the attributes that are saved when publishing in Cube. Learn more about setting attributes.
The model in the example below is used to plan for travel expenses for the upcoming year. This might be shared with department leads as part of the budgeting process.
The table (in blue) includes the dimensions for this set of data and captures all of the contextual information for the expenses that will be used as attributes. The range (in green) supports publishing the values and attributes to Cube.
1. Define table and range
First, create the columns for the table with the Cube dimensions on the left and the contextual information for attributes to the right. Learn more about creating a table.
Then, add columns for dates or other Cube dimensions to the right of the table. Highlight both the table and these additional columns to create a range from the whole area. Learn more about creating a range.
2. Mark columns as attributes
Highlight the contextual column headers that will be saved as attributes from the table.
In the Publish section of Cube, click Set attributes, then Mark for attributes.
The columns you selected will be listed under Marked attributes.
Learn more about attributes.
3. Add data and save to Cube
To update the data in the table and the range, make the changes, then click Update Table to save the changes to your table, and then click Publish Data to save the changes to your range data. Learn more about publishing to Cube.
4. Open contextual or attribute details
The table can be fetched alone to view only the saved contextual details outside of the model or included in any other model to support planning and analysis.
Additionally, drilling down on a cell value (for example, a $5000 expense in Jun-25) that was saved to Cube in this way will open the attributes from the table. These associated attributes will be present for the value anywhere this value is fetched from Cube.
Learn more about using drilldown capabilities.