In tabular models, setting the `IsKey=true` property on dimensions has a significant impact on the structure and functionality of the model.
- Unique Identification: It indicates that the values in that column are unique and used to uniquely identify each row in the dimension table. This is crucial for maintaining referential integrity within the model.
- Relationships: Columns defined as keys are used to create relationships between the dimension table and fact tables. These relationships are essential for allowing measures in fact tables to correctly link with attributes in dimensions.
- Performance: The analysis engine can optimize model performance. Searches and queries become faster because the engine can use indexes on the key columns to efficiently locate rows.
- Prevention of Duplicates: Prevent duplicates in the dimension table. If the data in the dimension table is not unique, it can lead to incorrect results when querying data from fact tables.
- Facilitation of Calculations: Keys enable measures and other calculations to function more effectively, as they can be used to refer to specific rows in the dimension table on which the analysis is based.
- Data Modeling: In a modeling context, keys are fundamental for organizing and structuring data. They ensure that information in the model is arranged in a way that can be accurately analyzed and that relationships are coherent.
Setting `IsKey=true` directly in the tables of the SSL model will have benefits
