TM1 Top Count

[appleglaze28]

Hi guys, I'd like to ask if any of you guys tried using Top Count 2 for as an example what if 3 items have the same value. I was expecting to be shown the 3 items but I was only presented with 2. However, how are these 2 items identified? Its not by alphabetical nor index number? Can someone give me the answer to this?

[Gregor Koch]

Hi,

As far as I know this is pretty much random.

Cheers


P.S. I subsequently found where I have read this:
"Like the TopCount() and BottomCount(), they may pick an arbitrary cutoff when some cells have the same vaues"
MDX Solutios, George Spofford

[appleglaze28]

I'm assuming that as well cause I've checked out all aspect of that item dimension and I can't really figure out how its being shown. But is there any way like you can sort the Top Count by Alphabetical & Index rather than having it be done randomly.

[Marcus Scherer]

If you limit the number of result values in your query to 2 you wouldn't expect 3 results, would you? Depending on your analysis scope you may use a FILTER query (value > x) instead of TopCount.


Regards, Marcus

[appleglaze28]

Okay...so its never really a good thing to do top count at all since it limits your filter items which is kinda sucks....but cool...thanks guys for the help.

[Steve Rowe]

If you limit the number of result values in your query to 2 you wouldn't expect 3 results, would you? Depending on your analysis scope you may use a FILTER query (value > x) instead of TopCount.

I guess it depends what you think you are counting.

1. Count Values - This would return the top 2 values irrespective of the number of elements that this relates too.
2. Count Elements - This would return the top 2 elements, even if they have the same values.

TM1 does 2, I'd argue that this is wrong and misleading.
Personally I would prefer 1, since to me it is more logical, when we do analysis we are testing numbers and the elements are the results of the test on the numbers. It's also more inclusive, with 2 it's easy to draw the wrong conclusion as the system is required to make an arbitrary assumption (which of the three elements in position 2 shall I return as the second best element?), with 1 you would always get the right information.

Just my 2p

Editted - Thanks Andy!

[Andy Key]

err, I think you've got your 1s and 2s the wrong way round in your argument.

I do agree with you though.

At least, I agree with what I think you meant to say!

Just my 2p or was that 1p...

[Marcus Scherer]

TM1 does 2, I'd argue that this is wrong and misleading.

TM1 does what it is told, Steve. If appleglaze writes a function TopCount(<set>, 2), TM1 gives 2 results. If it is forced to make an arbritary decision, then the analyst has to think about other approaches that yield the result he would like to see.
No need to discuss this subject further if we don't need appleglazes' business case.

Regards, Marcus