Matrices: Overview

You can create a new matrix definition or change an existing matrix definition using Matrices. A matrix may be two-dimensional (two axes - row and column), or multidimensional (that is, it uses results taken from another matrix; it is also made up of two axes - one of which is a derived axis).

There are some constraints associated with matrices that you need to be aware of:

• Whenever an existing matrix is changed, all records that use that matrix will reflect the most recent matrix definition.
• Although you can configure a multidimensional matrix, the web application can only display a three-dimensional matrix.
• The result of an intermediate matrix will affect the result of the next matrix. Therefore, the results of an intermediate matrix cannot be updated if a field currently references the matrix - only the axis values, description, and title of an intermediate matrix can be updated.
• There is no limit on the number of matrices in multidimensional matrices. However, the entries in the Matrix Result table in the database will grow rapidly with the number of matrices. For example:
  • Axis 1 (4 values) + Axis 2 (4 values) = Matrix 1 (16 entries)
  • Axis 3 (4 values) + Axis 4 (Derived from Matrix 1 [16 values]) = Matrix 2 (64 entries)
  • Axis 5 (4 values) + Axis 6 (Derived from Matrix 2 [64 values]) = Matrix 3 (256 entries)
• When setting up a multidimensional matrix, you must set up the matrix that makes up the derived axis before setting up the next matrix.
• If a field already references the matrix, you cannot change the Number of Items field - this is to prevent corrupting existing data.
• If the Number of Items or a derived matrix is changed, the dimensions of the current matrix will also change. If the current matrix is used as a derived matrix for another matrix, you must also edit the other matrix to reflect these changes.