Monday, March 12, 2012

LookUp Entities and Roles against Multiple Entities?

Apologies if this has already been asked and answered, though I haven't found it via search.

In my report model I have a lookup entity that consists of a Code field (PK) and a Description field this is linked to a parent entity (table) and works fine, e.g. the description is shown in the parent entity instead of the FK code. However this lookup entity would be useful linked to many other entities (tables) which use the same FK code linked to the lookup entity's Code field (PK) for use of the Description field. In my first attempt I linked the lookup to a second table entity but unlike the originally linked table entity, this is not shown as the description in report builder, only the role appears and I have to select the role then the description from the 2 fields displayed (Code, Description), additionally I get shown the related first table entity.

Firstly can a lookup entity be linked to multiple tables?

Secondly, if so am I forgetting something so only the description is shown like in the first linked table entity?

Thirdly, if I correct the problem is there a property I need to enable/disable to stop the first linked table entity appearing in the second table entity entity list in report builder or should I just leave it?

Any help/advice/suggestions would be appreciated, and apologies for long list of questions but all the books and help files I have used don't seem to use imperfect/real life data sources and examples.

Thanks

Andy

This is a bit weird replying to myself, but think I need to let you know, and others who may come across the problem, I believe I have solved it.

The problem appeared to be related to my using more than 1 Identifying Attribute for the lookup entity. Once I amended this to one Identifying Attribute it would appear that all is well. I get the description instead of a role entity appearing and the lookup works with multiple table entities (e.g. more than one table entity is linked to the lookup-table entity). I think I misunderstood the IdentifyingAttributes property thinking this had to be the PK field.

Thanks

Andy

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