First, an Essbase data load is very similar to an Essbase dimension build. Second, an Essbase data load is very different from an Essbase dimension build.
How can we make a contradictory statement like that? This is Essbase, that's how! Remember, Essbase is an art, not a science.
Loading data into an Essbase database is the process of loading specific data values into your Essbase database, based on a predefined database outline. This predefined database outline contains all of the necessary data attributes to organize the data into a logical and recognizable format.
Building dimensions in an Essbase database outline is the process of loading data as data attributes, instead of data values, into the database in the form of adding new dimension members to the database outline. The missing data attributes in the database outline that are contained in the data are added by the dimension build process so that the accompanying data values can be loaded and not rejected...
