Implicit Fact Column in OBIEE

In case we have multiple Fact tables under one Subject Area, then it is a best practice to set an implicit fact column. Setting an implicit fact has two benefits.

ü  An implicit fact column help BI Server choose the join path when multiple join paths are available between facts and dimensions.

ü  When a report is generated only from dimension tables, it will result in an error as an Analyses should always consist of at least one fact or measure. To overcome this error we define an implicit fact column. This ensures that a fact is always included in the SQL generated by BI Server.

To set an implicit fact column:

•      In presentation layer, double click the presentation catalog/ go to properties of presentation catalog.
•               In the general tab, find the Implicit Fact Column section.
•               Click on Set… button, this will open the browse window to select a fact column from the fact tables available in the presentation catalog.
•             Select the column.
•             Click OK.