Format Construction Mode

Use the Format construction mode in cases where you have a given code that allows you to establish the hierarchy of the dimension's categories. For example, in the Accountancy Plan, there is a code for each Item, defined as follows:
"n.n.nn.nn"
Each "n" represents a digit between 0 and 9, and each code represents a detail level of the code similar to its parent. For example, the Item 1.1 is a detail level of code 1, just as 1.2, 1.3, etc. are. The item 1.1.1 is subordinate to 1.1, and so on. This is how you define an Accountancy tree, where the sum of the entries to the children items accumulates to form the balance of the parent account.
In this instance, you must declare the dimension that represents the Accountancy Plan with the Format construction mode. This allows O3 to automatically create hierarchies from the values for the field representing the code in the Data Sources.
Notes

• The values for "n" can be any alphanumeric character. Also, the delimiter is not restricted to . (period), but can be any character.

Similar to other Dimension types, you can indicate the Key field and enter a description value from another field for displaying in the O3 Browser. Using the previous example, this could be the Account's description, instead of its formatted code.
Some type of association must exist between the field assigned to the Key and the field assigned to the Value. This association can be a consequence of both fields coming from the same source, or through implicit joins made by O3 based on name similarity. See the About Field Naming.
Use the From and Length columns of the level definition table to indicate the position of the code and the length (in characters) of each level. In the previous example, "n.n.nn.nn", taking into consideration that the periods belong to the code existing in the Source field, the Dimension levels are defined as follows:

Using the definitions, O3 parses the key field and creates each one of the hierarchy's levels. It is important to note that the From and Length definitions do not include the delimiting periods. Use the New Field button to add rows to the table, and the Delete Field button to remove a row.
Adding a Dimension in Format Construction Mode
Use the Add Dimension command or the Insert Dimension command to add a dimension in format construction mode.
To add a dimension in format construction mode:

1. Select the Dimension branch in the Design tree.
2. To add a dimension after the existing dimensions, choose the Add Dimension command. The dimension is added and the Properties pane for the dimension displays.

OR
To insert a dimension after an existing dimension, select the dimension and choose the Insert Dimension command. The dimension is added and the Properties pane for the dimension displays.

1. Turn on the Format radio button.
2. Complete the fields in the Property Pane.
3. To add a field to the Levels table, choose the New Field button. A row adds.
4. Double-click on each field in the row to enter a value.
5. To remove a field from the Levels table, click on the row, Choose the Delete Field button. The field is deleted.
6. To continue adding or deleting fields, repeat steps 5 through 6.

Notes

• The From and Length definitions do not include the delimiting periods.
• Changes made in the Property pane apply when you leave the pane or perform another operation in O3 Designer.

A Sample Format Dimension Property Pane
The Dimension Property Pane - Format Construction Mode
In Format construction mode, the dimension property pane includes two tabs:

• Description
• General

The Description Tab

The General Tab