Edit database items
Make fast, in-context updates to your database and see results immediately, without needing to rebuild it.
If you have the required user permissions and database access, you can update a database directly on the page and see the results immediately. You can rename, reorder, and describe dimensions, properties, measures, and streams.
With Designer access, you can also edit these items in the database design. However, editing items directly on the page gives you more context and saves time, as you do not need to rebuild the database.
You can assign this permission to non-administrative users. This allows them to update database items without accessing the Administration > Designer module.
Open the Edit database menu
Use the Edit database menu to update dimensions, properties, measures, streams and databases in one place.
When you're in a database, use one of these options:
At the bottom of the dimension list, click Edit dimensions.
Select Properties > Edit properties.
Select Measures > Edit measures.
Select Streams > Edit streams.
Select the blue arrow next to the database name > Edit database.
You can edit all item types from the same menu by selecting the tabs at the top.
Edit database items
Rename an item
Rename dimensions, properties, measures, and streams to give them meaningful titles.
Some items are locked because they are used in other modules. You cannot rename these items. Avoid using reserved words and characters.
Open the Edit database menu.
Select the Dimensions, Properties, Measures, or Streams tab.
Select the item you want to rename.
Enter a new name in the title box.
Select Save.
The change is applied immediately and is visible to all users with access to the database.
Add descriptions to items
Use descriptions in the Edit database items menu to explain what a database item means. Descriptions help people understand the purpose of dimensions, properties, measures, streams, and databases when they use Phocas.
Descriptions display as tooltips when you hover over the item. They apply to everyone in your organization and take effect as soon as you save your changes.
Add a description
Open the Edit database menu.
Select the tab for the item you want to update, such as Dimensions, Properties, Measures, Streams, or Database.
Select the item.
Enter a description.
Select Save.
For calculated measures, Phocas automatically displays the calculation in the tooltip. If you add a description, it appears with the calculation to provide extra context.
Database descriptions appear when you hover over the database name on the Home page.
Reorder items
Change the order in which items appear in their menus. By default, items follow the order defined in the database design.
Open the Edit database menu.
Select the item you want to move.
Drag the Move handle to the new position.
Click Save.
The list updates to reflect the new order.
Create or edit calculated measures
In addition to renaming and reordering measures, you can create or edit calculated measures by updating their expressions or defining new ones based on existing data.
Edit a calculated measure
You can update existing calculated measures by editing their expressions. Existing measures display as tags that you can use when modifying expressions.
Open the Edit database menu.
Select the Measures tab.
Select the calculated measure.
Update the title and/or expression.
Click Save.
The updated calculated measure is available in the Measures dropdown menu.
Create a calculated measure
You can also create new calculated measures to show more specific values based on your existing data.
Open the Edit database menu.
Select the Measures tab.
Click the + button next to the search box.
Enter a title.
Define the calculation using existing measures.
Click Save.
The new calculated measure is available in the Measures dropdown menu.
Troubleshooting
I got a message saying I can't edit the database. Why is that?
To edit a database, you need both the required user permissions and unrestricted access to the database.
If you see the message "You can't edit this database because a dimension, stream, and/or measure is restricted", it means your user account has a database restriction applied. For example, you might have access to only specific dimensions, streams, measures, or properties within the database.
Even if you have permission to edit databases, you can't edit a database when any restrictions are applied to your account.
To resolve this issue:
Ask your administrator to remove the database restrictions from your user account.
Confirm that you have the appropriate permission (see top of this page). If not, ask your administrator to assign them to your user account.
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