Data Deck Multiple Optional Variables

[gpollock]

Sorry if this has been asked before.  I'm using a dynamic cube on 10.2.2.

I have a chart that shows margin over an 8 week period.  The chart is in a data deck which has only sales region as the card data item, and I use a master-detail relationship joining the two.  I also have enabled the default card.  Current functionality is that if the region variable is not populated, the default card shows margin across all regions.  If the user selects a region, the appropriate card is chosen and I see the chart for margin within that region.

Now I want to add product category in the mix.  I'm trying to get this to work correctly and want to see what you have found works doesn't.  Both category and region are optional parameters.  If no variables are populated, I want the default card to display the chart un-selected.  If only a region is populated, I want to see the chart for that region.  If only a category is populated, I want to see the chart for that category.  If both a region and a category are chosen, I want to see the chart for the combination of variables.  Is this possible?

I think the trick is to have the two items in my data deck, but when I mess with the connection settings, what do I need to do?  If I just set the standard select options, it's picking one category and the numbers are not showing what's desired.  I'm hoping I don't need to use a nested data deck.

[gpollock]

Hi All,

Just a follow-up for anyone else searching.  I read more and it looks like Data Decks are not designed for this purpose--Visualizations with filters are the way to go.  Visualizations also make the MHT smaller, at a performance cost.  Just use the "Extra Categories" feature for the values, and use a filter in your connection.

One note I did find is that visualizations with optional filters don't calculate percentage measures correctly if it's partially filtered.  For example, if I select both a region and a product category, margin % is calculated correctly.  But if I select a region and leave categories blank, the margin % is not calculated.  There is currently an open RFE request to correct this at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=viewRfe&CR_ID=67950.  Additive or min/max measures will rollup just fine, though, if set correctly in the visualization.

Thanks!