Flattened recordset is a way of representing an entire multidimensional model in a single relational table or spreadsheet. Each column in the flattened recordset represents either a measured fact or a dimensional attribute, which refers to the facts.  Each row contains a single "measured event" recorded in the  multidimensional data model.

Because most ETL platforms, Business Intelligence systems and analytical applications natively import data from flattened recordsets, this form of data representation is very portable and a convenient data format in the process of loading data into various analytical systems.

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