3256812 - Creating a string-based time dimension using a HANA Live data connection view displays an error

Creating a string-based time dimension using a HANA Live data connection view displays an error similar to the following:

"Unable to retrieve data from the data source. Error: The extended dimension is invalid. The Datasource doesn't contain a join field. Column is a display-only attribute"

SAP Analytics Cloud 2022.14 and higher

SAP HANA Database 2.0 SPS 06 and higher

1. Create a model in SAC using a Calculation View from a HANA Live data connection.

2. In the toolbar select the Create Time Dimension icon.

3. In the Maintain Time Dimensions dialog, add a new time dimension, similar to the following example.

4. 

5. Choose the selection criteria outlined in the SAC Guide: Enriching String-Based Time Dimensions 

6. Save the model and add this new dimension to an SAC story to ensure there are no errors.

7. In the model, add another time dimension.

8. Choose the previously added time dimension as the source dimension name and complete the remaining Time View selection criteria in the dialog.

9. Save the model and add this derived time dimension to an SAC story.

10. An error similar to the following appears:  "Unable to retrieve data from the data source. Error: The extended dimension is invalid. The Datasource doesn't contain a join field. Column is a display-only attribute"

It is not recommended to create a string-based time dimension derived from another string-based time dimension that only exists on the SAC model and not on the HANA Calculation View.

Attributes of the created time dimension are display-only, therefore performing drill-down, slicing and dicing operations of date granularities will not be possible and can result in unforeseen errors.

1. Ensure that the data type and format selection criteria matches that outlined in the SAC Guide: Enriching String-Based Time Dimensions.
2. Add new time dimensions using string-based time columns created on the HANA side only.
3. For more detailed time-hierarchy data enrichment, it is recommended to create the required date granularities containing hierarchies, at HANA level, using a star-join to the Calculation View being consumed by SAP Analytics Cloud.

1. See Create Graphical Calculation Views with Time Dimension and Create Graphical Calculation Views with Star Joins from the SAP HANA Modeling Guide, for further details.

Date Dimension, Create Time Dimension, Derived Time Dimension, Date Enrichment, extended dimension is invalid, join field, display-only attribute , KBA , LOD-ANA-ML-LIM , Live Models , LOD-ANA-ML , SAC Modelling , Problem