TOPCOUNT (MDX)

Sorts a set and returns a subset from its higher-valued end, given a desired element count.

Returned Type

This function returns a set of members or tuples, depending on the set used.

Syntax and Details

TOPCOUNT(set_expression, element_count, optional_ordering_expression)

Where:

set_expression is an expression that evaluates to a set of members or tuples.
element_count is an integer literal.
The function uses this argument to determine the number of elements to return in the subset. If this argument is greater than the number of elements, all elements are returned.
optional_ordering_expression is a numeric-valued expression that determines the order of the set elements.
Typically, ordering_expression is [MEASURES].[measure_name]
The function evaluates this expression for each element of the set and sorts the elements of the set in descending order according to this value. Any hierarchies are ignored.
If this argument is omitted, the function uses the current order of the set elements (and this function behaves like the HEAD function).

Example

First consider the following query and the results it returns:

SELECT MEASURES.[%COUNT] ON 0, 
TOPCOUNT(birthd.decade.MEMBERS, 100, MEASURES.[%COUNT]) ON 1 FROM patients
                             Patient Count
 1 1970s                              1,520
 2 1960s                              1,500
 3 2000s                              1,433
 4 1990s                              1,413
 5 1980s                              1,400
 6 1950s                              1,030
 7 1940s                                683
 8 1930s                                572
 9 1920s                                223
10 2010s                                155
11 1910s                                 71

Because count_expression is greater than the number of members, all members are returned. The members are sorted in ascending order according to the value of the %COUNT measure.

Next, consider a similar query, using count_expression equal to 3:

SELECT MEASURES.[%COUNT] ON 0, 
TOPCOUNT(birthd.decade.MEMBERS, 3, MEASURES.[%COUNT]) ON 1 FROM patients
                             Patient Count
1 1970s                               1,520
2 1960s                               1,500
3 2000s                               1,433

This query selects three members from the higher-valued end of the set.

TOPCOUNT (MDX)

Returned Type

Syntax and Details

Example

See Also