Breaking the Header Barrier: A Guide to Using UD Members in Cube Views

In OneStream getting member names to repeat in Cube Views used to be like asking a cat to fetch—frustrating, futile, and met with utter indifference.

While Quick Views let you easily toggle on and off the suppression of repeating member names, Cube Views lack a straightforward solution.

Enter UD Members—your secret weapon to overcome this limitation. With UD Members, you can not only repeat member names but also:

• Break out names and descriptions into separate columns.
• Add additional metadata details in headers to enhance your reports.
• Create as many headers as your design requires.

This quick guide will show you how to leverage UD Members to elevate your Cube Views and streamline your reporting.

Why Use UD Members Instead of Row Headers?

Besides the obvious fact that your sanity matters, UD Members provide unique advantages that traditional row headers can’t match:

1. Repeat Member Names Dynamically: Say goodbye to manually scanning rows to identify the right line—dynamic repetition ensures clarity and saves time.
2. Expand Design Flexibility: Break free from the limitations of four (or six with header overrides) row headers. With UD Members, your layout options expand beyond traditional limits.
3. Break Out Metadata for Clarity: Separate names, descriptions, and other metadata into distinct columns, improving readability and delivering more context where it matters most.

Step-by-Step Guide

Set Up UD Members with Dynamic Calculations

UD Members allow you to dynamically display member attributes. Here’s how to set them up:

1. Navigate to UD Dimensions
2. Go to the UD you use for reporting dimensions
3. Create a new member (e.g. Acct_NameDesc). Feel free to customize the name.
4. Set your Formula Type to DynamicCalc.
5. Open the Formula Editor and input your formula. Combine the member’s name and description or include additional attributes, such as currency, to make your reports even more dynamic.

1. Create as many of these as needed to portray needed information

Change Cube View Header Setting

• 1. Navigate to General Settings in the Cube View
  2. Find the Header Overrides > Row Headers section.
  3. Set “User Default Row Headers” to False
  4. Ensure all Header Dimension Types are set to Not Used.

Add Columns for UD Parameters

To display your UD Members in the Cube View:

• 1. In the Rows and Columns Layout section, create a column for each UD Member you want to include.
  2. Don’t forget to include the View Member V#Annotation—this is essential for pulling in your text.

Configure Layout:

1. Adjust the column order to reflect the desired sequence.
2. Set formatting to match your standard row header formatting—because consistency is key.
3. Save and preview your Cube View.

End Result:

You now have a Cube View with repeating member names! Even though these are columns our formatting has made them present as if they were traditional rows.

Here’s an example where Account Name and Description are split into two columns:

Additionally, you can bring in other details like entity currency or any metadata attribute into your header view:

Benefits of This Approach

1. Enhanced Readability:
   • Repeated member names eliminate ambiguity, ensuring your reports are clear and easy to interpret.
2. Customization Beyond Limits:
   • Go beyond default row header limits by dynamically creating new headers and incorporating metadata attributes for added depth.
   • Split names and descriptions into separate columns for improved context.
   • Add other metadata, like entity currency, for a richer report.
3. Improved Stakeholder Communication:

• Deliver polished, professional-looking reports tailored to your audience’s needs.

By leveraging the power of UD Members, you can take your OneStream Cube Views to the next level. Start implementing these steps today and experience the difference in your reporting. Need help or have questions? Reach out—we’re here to help you make your Cube Views as dynamic and impactful as your business demands.

Happy reporting!