KB221382: “Attribute xxx (dataset) cannot be linked to Attribute ‘Project Attribute’ (dataset). Reason: Incompatible data types.” appears when trying to link an attribute from data import to a project attribute in a VI Dashboard in MicroStrategy 9.4.1

SUMMARY:
This issue has been classified as an enhancement by Strategy.  The impact is limited to Strategy Web 9.x product when trying to link attributes from data import to a projects attributes.  There is only one workaround available described in this document.  A solution/code fix for this issue is not available in current releases but is being reviewed for a future Strategy release.
 
SYMPTOM:
When trying to add a dataset to a VI dashboard through data import and then link an attribute on only the description form of the attribute the following error may appear:

Attribute Customer State (File for Import) cannot be linked to Attribute Customer State (Report for VI Dashboard). Reason: Incompatible data types.

• In Strategy Tutorial create a simple report with Customer State and Revenue
• Create an Excel document with a list of states to be used as the imported document with a list of States
• Create a VI Dashboard from the report created in step 1
• Add a dataset to the VI Dashboard by Importing the file created in step 2
  

• After the file has been imported try to link the States in the imported file to the Customer State attribute in the original report
  

• The following message will show and select OK 
  

• 
  You are about to change the definition of File for Import. Any other documents that use this dataset could be affected by this change. Do you want to proceed?

  
  
• The error will then pop-up because the attributes are only being linked on only the description form and this is not possible in Strategy 9.4.1.
  

CAUSE:
In Strategy 9.4.1 attributes cannot be linked solely on the description form as the ID form must also be present. An enhancement request has been submitted to allow attributes to be linked with only the description form of the attribute present in the imported dataset.
 
ACTION:
This issue has been resolved in Strategy 9.5.1. Please upgrade to take advantage of the fix.