Cannot set DefaultMember of Dimension (any dimension)

Question

 

whenever I try to set the default member of one of mys dimensions to something other then nothing I get the following error. This is even though I use the dialog box from within BIDS to pick from a list that is offered to me:

 

DefaultMember(DIM LAG,LAG) (1, 1) The level '[DIM LAG]' object was not found in the cube when the string, [DIM LAG].[LAG].&[2], was parsed.

 

I got a similar message when I tried this on another dimension:

 

DefaultMember(DIM DMDUNIT,STRATEGIC) (1, 1) The level '[DIM DMDUNIT]' object was not found in the cube when the string, [DIM DMDUNIT].[STRATEGIC].&[True], was parsed.

 

Is there a general setting I am missing?

 

Any help on this topic is highly appreciated.

 

Regards,

Dirk

Answer 1

Are you setting the default member from within a role or as part of an attribute definition?  Could you post the exact string you are providing for the Default Member setting?

 

Thank,
Bryan Smith

Answer 2

Bryan,

 

I have not setup roles, yet. Below is the exact sequence I went through. Also I can repeat this with pretty much every other DIM and/or attribute I pick?

 

1. Open Dimension TYPE
2. Select TYPE DimensionAttribute
3. Select DefaultMember from Properties
4. Set Default Member Dlg window opens
5. Pick Choose a memeber to be the default
6. 2 choices are offered
   ALL
   -1
   -2
   Select 1
7. The Expression becomes: [DIM TYPE].[TYPE].&[1]
8. Click OK
9. Rerun Dimension
10. Error

Does that help?

 

Thanks and regards,

Dirk

Answer 3

Dirk,

 

I've tried to recreate this problem in the Adventure Works database but I have been unable to do so.  Could you confirm your version of SSAS and repeat the steps for setting the default memberin that database on your system?  That may help us isolate the issue.

 

To identify the service pack level of your SSAS instance, follow these steps:

1. Open SSMS

2. Connect to the SSAS instance

3. Record the SSAS version displayed in the Object Explorer Details tab.

 

When I do this for my machine, I have the following version: Microsoft Analysis Server 9.00.3054.00.

 

Here are steps I perform in the Adventure Works DW database project:

1. Open BIDS

2. Open the Adventure Works DW project (Enterprise Edition)

3. In Solution Explorere, double-click the Geography dimension

4. In the Dimension Designer, select the Geography Key attribute

5. Set the AttributeHierarchyVisible property to True

6. Set the DefaultMember property to [Geography].[Geography Key].&[3]

7. Save the changes

8. In Solution Explorer, right-click the Database object and select Process

9. Process the cube with Process Full

10. When processing completes, double-click the Adventure Works cube object in Solution Explorer

11. In the Cube Designer, move to the browser tab

12. Drag the Reseller Sales Amount measure to the detail data pane to see results

 

Let's see where this takes us.

B.

Answer 4

Bryan,

 

If have good and bad news. The good news are: I'm using the same SSAS version as you. The bad news is that the system throws the same error message when I tried to follow your request.

 

Error 1 DefaultMember(Geography,Geography Key) (1, 1) The level '[Geography]' object was not found in the cube when the string, [Geography].[Geography Key].&[3], was parsed.  0 0 

 

Regards,

Dirk

Answer 5

So, we now need to determine if the problem is the default member setting or something else. 

 

First, as a last check, we need to verify the Geography Key member with a Key of 3 exists when the dimension is processed.  Remove the default member setting but leave the AttributeHierarchyVisible set to True.  You can then process just the Geography dimension and then browse its data to verify the member does exist.  I'm thinking its there but we just need to be 100% certain.

 

For the real test, can you get ahold of another instance of SSAS on another system?  If so, on that system, open the sample project as before and follow the remaining steps. I'm hoping you do not get the error on that system and we can then say this is a problem with the earlier system and not SSAS.

 

Good luck,

B.

Answer 6

No luck. I tested on a different system but got the exact same error message. I cannot set the defaultMember for any of my dimensions.

Answer 7

Sorry, but I'm really not sure where to go from here.  I can't recreate the issue even with Adventure Works DW, so I really don't have anything to work with.

 

Sorry,
Bryan

Answer 8

Thanks anyways. Dirk

 

Answer 9

I completely uninstalled everything (inlcuding anything with SQL Server within its name) and reinstalled from scratch. After applying SP2 it works.

Answer 10

Hi DirkLX,
     I am exactly facing the same problem...Your AS version was 9.00.3054.00 and then you installed SP2,right? after that which is the version number?..
My AS version is 9.00.3186.00..any idea about  which version is this?..Does this have SP2 installed?..any inputs for solving this problem?

Answer 11

Hi Guys,
    Could anyone of you answer my question below?
''
Hi DirkLX,
     I am exactly facing the same problem...Your AS version was 9.00.3054.00 and then you installed SP2,right? after that which is the version number?..
My AS version is 9.00.3186.00..any idea about  which version is this?..Does this have SP2 installed?..any inputs for solving this problem?
"

Answer 12

Hi,

I'm having the same problem trying to define a default member on a dimension attribute.  I just found the following idea.
Go to the Calculation tab of the cube that uses the dimension and add a bit of MDX code to set the dimension attribute's default member.

Here's an example of the MDX code to add in the Cube Calculuation tab:

ALTER CUBE CURRENTCUBE
UPDATE DIMENSION [DATE].[CALENDAR DATE],
DEFAULT_MEMBER = [DATE].[CALENDAR DATE].&[729];

Where you specify the actual default member value you want.

Here's the web site with more info:

Default Member on Dimension

“You cannot set the DefaultMember property of a role playing dimension in the Dimension designer because it is not clear which specific role version it is intended for. Instead, the only way to set up the default member is to do it programmatically by using the ALTER CUBE statement.”

The default member would be set up at run time if the ALTER CUBE statement is used and hence, the dimension designer would not show the value of the default member.

I hope this helps.

---

Best regards, Christopher Sorensen