Master the CUBEMEMBER Function: Retrieve OLAP Cube Members Effectively
=CUBEMEMBER(connection, member_expression, [caption])The CUBEMEMBER function is a powerful Excel tool designed for advanced data analysis professionals working with OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) cubes. This function retrieves specific members from a cube connection, enabling you to build dynamic reports and dashboards that pull real-time data from multidimensional databases. Understanding CUBEMEMBER is essential for business analysts, financial professionals, and data specialists who need to create sophisticated analytical models. CUBEMEMBER works by establishing a connection to your cube source and using MDX (Multidimensional Expressions) syntax to identify and retrieve the exact member you need. Unlike traditional Excel formulas that work with rows and columns, CUBEMEMBER navigates hierarchical cube structures, allowing you to access deeply nested data relationships. This function forms the foundation for building comprehensive OLAP-based reporting solutions within Excel, complementing functions like CUBEVALUE and CUBESET to create complete analytical frameworks.
Syntax & Parameters
The CUBEMEMBER function follows this syntax: =CUBEMEMBER(connection, member_expression, [caption]). The connection parameter is mandatory and specifies the name of your OLAP cube connection as defined in your Excel workbook. This connection string must exactly match the connection name you've established through Excel's Data menu. The member_expression parameter is equally critical and requires proper MDX syntax to identify the cube member you want to retrieve. MDX expressions typically follow hierarchical patterns like [Dimension].[Hierarchy].[Level].[Member]. For example, [Product].[Product Categories].[Category].[Electronics] would retrieve the Electronics category from your product dimension. This parameter is case-sensitive and must reference valid members within your cube structure. The optional caption parameter allows you to display custom text in the cell instead of the member name itself. This is particularly useful for creating user-friendly reports where you want to display formatted names or descriptions rather than technical member identifiers. When omitted, Excel displays the member name by default. Proper understanding of these parameters ensures successful cube member retrieval and prevents common formula errors.
connectionmember_expressioncaptionPractical Examples
Retrieving a Sales Region Member
=CUBEMEMBER("SalesCube","[Geography].[Region].[North America]")This formula connects to the SalesCube connection and navigates through the Geography dimension to retrieve the North America member from the Region hierarchy level. The member can then be used in CUBEVALUE functions to pull associated sales metrics.
Displaying Custom Caption for Product Category
=CUBEMEMBER("ProductCube","[Product].[Categories].[Category].[Electronics]","Electronic Devices")The formula retrieves the Electronics member from the ProductCube but displays 'Electronic Devices' as the caption in the cell. This creates a more business-friendly appearance for executive dashboards while maintaining the proper cube reference for calculations.
Building Dynamic Time Period Reference
=CUBEMEMBER("FinancialCube","[Time].[Fiscal Year].[2024]")This formula retrieves the 2024 fiscal year member from the FinancialCube's Time dimension. When combined with CUBEVALUE, it allows the analyst to create reports that automatically reference the correct time periods without manual updates.
Key Takeaways
- CUBEMEMBER retrieves specific members from OLAP cubes using MDX syntax, serving as a foundation for cube-based reporting in Excel
- The function requires two mandatory parameters: a valid cube connection name and a properly-formatted MDX member expression following hierarchy paths
- MDX expressions are case-sensitive and must reference members that actually exist in the cube structure; use the Cube Browser to verify syntax
- CUBEMEMBER works best in combination with CUBEVALUE to create complete analytical solutions that identify members and retrieve their associated metrics
- Proper error handling, dynamic formula construction, and connection verification are essential practices for building reliable cube-based Excel applications
Pro Tips
Use the Cube Browser (Insert > Cube Browser) to verify member paths before writing formulas. This visual tool displays the exact MDX syntax needed for each member, eliminating guesswork and reducing formula errors.
Impact : Saves debugging time and ensures first-time formula success, especially when working with complex hierarchies containing many levels.
Store connection names and frequently-used member expressions in named ranges or helper cells. This makes formulas more maintainable and allows you to update multiple formulas by changing a single reference.
Impact : Improves workbook maintainability and reduces the risk of inconsistent member references across multiple formulas and sheets.
Combine CUBEMEMBER with data validation lists to create dropdown-driven cube queries. Users select from a validated list, and CUBEMEMBER automatically constructs the appropriate member reference.
Impact : Enables non-technical users to interact with cube data safely, reducing errors and improving report usability for business stakeholders.
Test your cube connection's availability before deploying workbooks with CUBEMEMBER formulas. Use a simple formula in a test cell to verify connectivity and proper member resolution.
Impact : Prevents formula failures in production environments and alerts you to connection issues before they impact critical reports or dashboards.
Useful Combinations
CUBEMEMBER with CUBEVALUE for Complete Member Analysis
=CUBEVALUE("SalesCube",CUBEMEMBER("SalesCube","[Geography].[Region].[North America]"),"[Measures].[Sales Amount]")This combination uses CUBEMEMBER to identify a specific region member, then passes that member to CUBEVALUE to retrieve the sales amount for that region. This creates a powerful lookup that connects member identification with metric retrieval in a single formula chain.
CUBEMEMBER with IFERROR for Error Handling
=IFERROR(CUBEMEMBER("SalesCube","[Product].[Category].["&A1&"]"),"Member Not Found")This combination wraps CUBEMEMBER in IFERROR to gracefully handle cases where the referenced member doesn't exist. If the member lookup fails, it displays a user-friendly message instead of an error code, improving dashboard reliability.
CUBEMEMBER with CONCATENATE for Dynamic Member References
=CUBEMEMBER("SalesCube","[Time].[Year].["&CONCATENATE("20",B2)&"]")This combination uses CONCATENATE to build dynamic MDX expressions based on cell values. If cell B2 contains '24', the formula constructs the member reference '[Time].[Year].[2024]', allowing parametric cube queries that respond to user input.
Common Errors
Cause: The connection name is misspelled or doesn't exist in the workbook. Excel cannot recognize the connection string parameter.
Solution: Verify the exact connection name by checking Data > Connections in Excel. Ensure the connection is active and the name matches exactly, including capitalization and spaces. Test the connection before using it in CUBEMEMBER formulas.
Cause: The MDX expression contains invalid syntax or references a member that doesn't exist in the cube hierarchy. This commonly occurs with incorrect bracket notation or wrong hierarchy paths.
Solution: Validate your MDX syntax against the cube structure. Use the cube browser in Excel to verify the exact member path. Ensure all dimension and member names are spelled correctly and exist in your cube. Test simpler expressions first before building complex hierarchies.
Cause: The cube connection has been deleted or is no longer available. This error appears when Excel cannot locate the referenced connection.
Solution: Recreate the cube connection through Data > From Other Sources > From Analysis Services. Verify that your Analysis Services server is accessible and the cube database is online. Update the formula with the new connection name if necessary.
Troubleshooting Checklist
- 1.Verify that the cube connection name is spelled exactly as defined in Excel's Data > Connections menu, including capitalization and spaces
- 2.Confirm the OLAP cube server is online and accessible from your network by testing the connection through Data > Connections > Properties
- 3.Validate the MDX member expression syntax using the Cube Browser tool to ensure the exact member path matches the cube structure
- 4.Check that all dimension names, hierarchy names, and member names in the MDX expression exist in the cube and are spelled correctly
- 5.Ensure the cube connection is set to 'Always use connection file' or that the connection is properly configured if using embedded connections
- 6.Test with a simplified member expression first (e.g., just a dimension member) before building complex hierarchical paths
Edge Cases
Member names containing special characters or spaces
Behavior: MDX syntax requires special handling for member names with spaces or special characters. Names must be enclosed in brackets and may require escaping.
Solution: Use bracket notation: [Member Name With Spaces] or [Member-Name-With-Hyphens]. The Cube Browser will show the correct format automatically.
Always verify special character handling in your specific Analysis Services version
Referencing members from multiple hierarchies within the same dimension
Behavior: CUBEMEMBER can only return one member at a time. If you need multiple members from different hierarchies, use separate CUBEMEMBER formulas or combine with CUBESET.
Solution: Create separate CUBEMEMBER formulas for each hierarchy, or use CUBESET to retrieve multiple members matching criteria.
Consider performance implications when using multiple CUBEMEMBER formulas in large worksheets
Cube connection becomes unavailable or cube is refreshed
Behavior: CUBEMEMBER returns #REF! error when the connection is lost or the cube structure changes significantly, invalidating the member reference.
Solution: Implement IFERROR wrapper to display friendly messages. Re-establish the connection and verify member paths after cube updates.
Monitor connection status and cube refresh schedules to anticipate potential formula failures
Limitations
- •CUBEMEMBER only works with OLAP cube connections; it cannot retrieve members from traditional Excel data ranges, SQL databases, or other non-cube sources
- •The function returns member identifiers rather than metric values; you must use CUBEVALUE or other functions to retrieve actual data associated with members
- •Performance can degrade significantly when using CUBEMEMBER with complex MDX expressions or when working with very large cubes containing millions of members
- •CUBEMEMBER requires the cube connection to remain active and accessible; network interruptions, server downtime, or connection removal will cause formula failures without error handling
Alternatives
CUBEVALUE can retrieve both the member and its associated metric value in a single formula, reducing the need for multiple formulas.
When: When you need both member identification and metric values simultaneously, CUBEVALUE provides a more efficient approach than combining CUBEMEMBER with separate calculations.
CUBESET retrieves multiple members matching specific criteria, allowing you to work with sets of members rather than individual ones.
When: When you need to retrieve all members meeting certain conditions or build dynamic member lists, CUBESET offers more flexibility than CUBEMEMBER's single-member approach.
Compatibility
✓ Excel
Since 2007
=CUBEMEMBER(connection, member_expression, [caption])✗Google Sheets
Not available
✗LibreOffice
Not available