MDX (Multidimensional Expressions) is a powerful query language designed for multidimensional data analysis, commonly utilized in OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) systems. Datafor leverages MDX to define calculated metrics and perform multidimensional data operations such as querying, aggregating, filtering, and computing.

This guide provides an overview of essential MDX functions grouped by their common use cases:

Function Categories

• Aggregation Functions: Calculate summaries such as totals, averages, and counts.
• Set Functions: Operate on sets to combine, intersect, filter, or sort data.
• Member Functions: Access and manipulate hierarchical dimension members.
• Time Functions: Perform calculations and conversions related to dates and time.
• Logical Functions: Apply logical conditions to data.
• String Functions: Manipulate and format textual data.
• Mathematical Functions: Execute numeric calculations.
• Type Conversion Functions: Convert data from one type to another.

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Aggregation Functions

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
COUNT	Counts members or elements in a set	COUNT(Set)	COUNT({[Measures].[Sales]})
SUM	Calculates the sum of set elements	SUM(Set)	SUM({[Measures].[Sales]})
AVG	Calculates the average of set elements	AVG(Set)	AVG({[Measures].[Sales]})
MIN	Finds the minimum value within a set	MIN(Set)	MIN({[Measures].[Sales]})
MAX	Finds the maximum value within a set	MAX(Set)	MAX({[Measures].[Sales]})
DISTINCTCOUNT	Counts distinct members within a set	DISTINCTCOUNT(Set)	DISTINCTCOUNT({[Customers].Members})
AGGREGATE	Aggregates values based on set members	AGGREGATE(Set)	AGGREGATE({[Time].[Q1], [Time].[Q2]})

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Set Functions

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
FILTER	Filters set based on a condition	FILTER(Set, Condition)	FILTER({[Customers].Members}, [Sales]>1000)
NONEMPTY	Retrieves non-empty intersections	NONEMPTY(Set)	NONEMPTY({[Customers]} * {[Time].[Q1]})
ORDER	Orders members by a criterion	`ORDER(Set, Expression, ASC	DESC)`
UNION	Combines two sets into one	UNION(Set1, Set2)	UNION({[USA].[CA]}, {[USA].[WA]})
INTERSECT	Intersection of two sets	INTERSECT(Set1, Set2)	INTERSECT({[USA]}, {[USA].[WA]})
EXCEPT	Difference between two sets	EXCEPT(Set1, Set2)	EXCEPT({[USA]}, {[USA].[WA]})
DISTINCT	Removes duplicate members from a set	DISTINCT(Set)	DISTINCT({[Customers].Members})
CROSSJOIN	Cartesian product of sets	CROSSJOIN(Set1, Set2)	CROSSJOIN({[USA]}, {[Products]})

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Member Functions

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
CURRENTMEMBER	Current context member	CURRENTMEMBER	[Customers].[USA].[CA].CURRENTMEMBER
PARENT	Parent of a member	PARENT(Member)	PARENT([Customers].[USA].[CA])
CHILDREN	Children members	CHILDREN(Member)	CHILDREN([Time].[Q1])
SIBLINGS	Sibling members	SIBLINGS(Member)	SIBLINGS([Customers].[CA])

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Time Functions

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
NOW	Current timestamp	NOW	NOW
DATEADD	Adds intervals to a date	DATEADD(Interval, Date)	DATEADD("YY",1,[Time].[Q1])
DATEDIFF	Calculates difference between dates	DATEDIFF(Interval, Date1, Date2)	DATEDIFF("YY",[1997],[1998])

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Logical Functions

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
IIF	Conditional expression	IIF(Condition,TrueValue,FalseValue)	IIF([Sales]>5000,"High","Low")
AND	Logical AND operation	AND(Condition1,Condition2)	AND([Sales]>5000,[Time].[Q1])
OR	Logical OR operation	OR(Condition1,Condition2)	OR([Sales]>5000,[Time].[Q1])

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String Functions

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
CONCAT	Joins two strings	CONCAT(String1,String2)	CONCAT("Hello"," World")
REPLACE	Replaces substring	REPLACE(String,Old,New)	REPLACE("Hello World","World","MDX")

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Mathematical Functions

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
ABS	Absolute value	ABS(Number)	ABS(-10)
ROUND	Rounds number	ROUND(Number,Digits)	ROUND(3.14159,2)

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Type Conversion

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
CSTR	Converts to string	CSTR(Value)	CSTR(123)
CINT	Converts to integer	CINT(Value)	CINT("123")
CDATE	Converts to date	CDATE(Value)	CDATE("01/01/2020")

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MDX functions are essential for effective data analysis in Datafor, providing flexibility and powerful tools to interact with multidimensional data. Use this guide as a quick reference when building advanced analytical models and reports.