You may get the following error messages when trying to build a cube with SAS OLAP Cube Studio or PROC OLAP:

   ERROR: The number of members in the "hier-name" hierarchy 
          exceeds the maximum number allowed.
   ERROR: The class ordinals cannot be initialized.

This error can occur when the number of members specified for a hierarchy exceeds the maximum amount allowed.

To check if you have reached this limit, use the following formula:

log2(number of members in first level of hierarchy)
     + log2(number of members in second level of hierarchy)
     + ....
     + log2(number of members in nth level of hierarchy)
     < 64

To compute this value in a DATA step, you can use the SAS function LOG2, which returns the logarithm to the base 2.

Prior to Service Pack 4, hierarchies with less than 10 members per levelwere rounded up to 10 to make sure sufficient space remains. As ofService Pack 4, level padding will no longer occur. If the error is received at Service Pack 4, your hierarchy must be redesigned.

In SAS 9.2, the maximum number of members is 2^32 members per hierarchy

To circumvent this error and be able to create your OLAP cube, it is recommended that you split the hierarchy.

Select the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix for this issue. The hot fix ensures that additional padding of hierarchical levels is not performed by the OLAP procedure.

Operating System and Release Information

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) for this issue is available at:

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) with Asian Language Support (DBCS) for this issue is available at :