OLAP Spreadsheet Add-in User's Guide for 1-2-3

Connecting to Multiple Databases

Hyperion Essbase supports simultaneous access to multiple databases. The databases can be in different applications and can be stored on different servers. In Lotus 1-2-3, you can open multiple worksheets, each of which can be connected to a different database. An individual worksheet can access only one database at a time. Use the Connect command from the Essbase menu to switch the connection between databases.

Note:

Depending on the status of production applications at your site, you may not have access to additional applications or databases. Check with the Hyperion Essbase system administrator if you need access to other applications.

For this tutorial, you do not need to connect to another database.

To access multiple databases, use the following procedure: Select Essbase > Connect. In the Essbase System Login dialog box, select the server you want to access from the Server list box (or type in the name of the server). Press Tab to move to the Username text box and type your username. Press Tab to move to the Password text box and type your password. Click OK to connect to the server. When the server connection is complete, a list of available application and database pairs appears in the Application/Database list. Double-click the Application/Database pair that you want to connect to in the Application/Database list. Alternatively, you can select the Application/Database pair and click OK. If the application is not already running, Hyperion Essbase automatically starts it. There may be a brief pause as the application loads; the time required to start an application depends on number of databases, the sizes of the databases, and the sizes of the indexes of the databases contained within the application. Open a new worksheet and repeat the steps to connect to additional databases. You can open one database at a time per worksheet.

For information on connecting to multiple databases from Hyperion Essbase Query Designer, refer to An Advanced Hyperion Essbase Tutorial.

Viewing Active Database Connections

If you frequently connect to multiple databases, you may need to check the active database for each worksheet. There are two ways to view the database connection status:

• The Style tab of the Essbase Options dialog box contains a Connection Information text box. This box displays connection information for the active worksheet.
• The Hyperion Essbase Disconnect dialog box lists all active worksheets and their connection information. This dialog box also enables you to disconnect one or more worksheets from their respective databases.