SAP BW Business Explorer

8/12/2019 SAP BW Business Explorer

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Reportingin the Business Information Warehouse is structured into the following substeps:

Query definition

A query enables the analysis of all the data in an InfoCube. When defining the query, youdetermine how the data is evaluated, and which characteristics and ey figures of the

InfoCube are analy!ed more closely.

If you imagine the InfoCube as a multi"dimensional cube, then by selecting characteristicsand ey figures, you are cutting a subcube #a query$ from the InfoCube. In this way, youcan evaluate InfoCube data quicly and effectively. %he more precisely you define thequery, the smaller the subcube, and the quicer you can navigate and refresh the query.%he query evaluates the entire dataset of the InfoCube. &electing certain characteristicsmeans that they can be more closely analy!ed while others remain unspecified. %heresulting ey figures are aggregated across all characteristic values for these unspecifiedcharacteristics.

'efault navigation is also defined in the query definition, where the characteristics and eyfigures are arranged in the rows and columns of the query.

Navigation

After inserting a query into a worboo, the view of the data determined in the querydefinition is shown. %he query is changed by navigation, and further views of the query data#navigation states$ are created. With the help of the different navigation functions, youevaluate and present query data.

%he following graphic gives an overview of the substeps in reporting:


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Conditions

Use

In the B() Analy!er, you formulate conditions for efficient data analysis. In the results area of thequery, the data is restricted according to the conditions so that only the part of the results area thatyou are interested in is displayed.

Conditions do not affect the results lines, that is, the results lines correspond to the query resultslines without this condition.

*ou can define several conditions for one query. *ou can lin several conditions logically usingA+', to mae different conditions apply to the query at the same time, as long as they are allactive.

Prerequisites

*ou have defined and e)ecuted a query, and now want to define one or more conditions for thisquery.

Functions

Conditions help you restrict how you view query data in the following way:

Absolute Conditions: A line is filtered independently of the other lines, when its reference

value e)ceeds a specified threshold value.

Ranked Lists: ere, all lines of the displayed list are considered and their relationship to

each other decides whether the lines are displayed. -aned lists are always sortedautomatically.

%he following operators help you to create ran lists:

Top N !otto" N: %he raned list is arranged according to a particular number.

Customers: %op or bottom / sales volumes

*ou get a list of the three customers with the highest sales, and also the fivecustomers with the lowest sales.
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Top percent botto" percent# %he raned list is arranged according to a particular

percentage.

0aterial: %op 1/2 of sales revenue

*ou get a list of materials with the highest sales volume that account for 1/2 of thetotal revenue.

0aterial: Bottom 1/2 of sales revenue

*ou get a list of materials with the lowest sales volume that account for 1/2 of totalrevenue.

Top total botto" total#%he raned list is arranged according to a particular totals value.

3roducts: %op total 14,444 (5- of sales volume

*ou get a list of products with the lowest sales volume, whose combined salesvolume maes a total of 14,444 (5-. 6irst, all sales volumes are sorted indescending order and then totals are formed until the threshold value of 14,444 ise)ceeded. %hose products that e)ceed the 14,444 (5- threshold are left in the list.

%he raned list for this condition might loo lie this:

Product $ales %olu"e

A 77,444 (5-

B 8,444 (5-

C /,444 (5-

3roduct C is included in the list, even though it means the total sum is greater than14,444 (5-. All the products that have a lower sales volume than product C are nolonger displayed.

If you want to create a raned list of the products with the lowest sales volumewhose combined sales total a certain amount, use the Bottom totaloperator.

$ee also#


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'efining Conditions

&efining Conditions

Prerequisites

*ou have e)ecuted a query. *ou want to define one or more conditions for thisquery, and have chosen Change query (global definition)from the B() toolbar.

Procedure

&efining Conditions

7. Choose New Condition. #%his menu path is under the pushbutton with the arrow pointingdownwards on the right ne)t to the Conditionsymbol$. *ou get to the dialog bo) Defineconditions.

1. &pecify a name for the condition in the Descriptionfield.

If you want to 9ust define the condition, and do not want to e)ecute it actively in thequery, remove the chec from the activefield that is there by default.

. *ou now have the following options:

o In the field Evaluate conditions below for, choose the optionAll characteristics

independent in drilldown, if you want to evaluate the lower condition rowsseparately for all the characteristics in the drilldown.

%he condition row is ales !op ".

If the characteristic Customeris the only one in the query, the top / customers as

far as sales are concerned are displayed because of the condition. If thecharacteristic #roduct is the only one in the drilldown, the top / products as far assales are concerned are displayed. Whats more, if Customer and #roductare inthe drilldown, the top / customers and the top / products, as far as sales areconcerned, are displayed, as well as all 1/ combinations of the two.

o In the field Evaluate conditions below for, choose the option ingle characteristics

or characteristic combinationsif you want to evaluate only on certain drilldowns ofdefined characteristics or characteristic combinations. *ou can then mae entries in
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the list of characteristics which are used in the queries in rows, columns or freecharacteristics.

a. If you only want to evaluate the condition if it is in the drilldown, select it with achec.


*ou have selected Customeras the only characteristic. %he condition is onlyevaluated if Customer is in the drilldown. ;nly the top / customers with their salesare displayed.

b. &elect several characteristics with a chec, if you want to evaluate the condition forcharacteristic combinations.


*ou have selected the characteristics Customerand #roductwith a chec. %hecondition is only evaluated if Customer and #roductare in the drilldown at the sametime. %he optionAll characteristics independent in drilldown, displays the top /customer"product combinations with sales, so only / rows instead of 1/ #seeabove$.

If you have defined several conditions for a query, there may be clashes betweenthe conditions that refer to the same characteristics. In this case, certain rules ofpriority apply. It is generally the most specific condition that applies when there areclashes.

;ne condition defines the top " salesfor the characteristic Customer, a secondcondition defines the bottom $ salesin the customer"product combination.

If only characteristic Customeris in the drilldown, only the first condition applies.&o, only the condition top " salesis used for the characteristic Customer.

If Customerand#roductare in the drilldown at the same time, you can use bothconditions according to your definition. In this case, the second condition applies,since it is the most specific because of its reference to the characteristiccombination.


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A condition row is always derived from the determination of an element for every structureused in the query #usually one or two structures$, an operator and a value that matches theoperator.

*ou can choose from the following operators for threshold conditions:

o is equal too is not equal to

o is less then

o is greater than

o is less than or equal to

o is greater than or equal to

o is between (is in the interval)

o is not between (is not in the interval)

%hese operators demand a floating point number as a value. 6or the operators is in intervaland is not in interval, you must enter a value area> a lower and an upper threshold value.

*ou can choose from the following operators for raned list functions:

o !op N

o Bottom N

o !op percent

o Bottom percent

o !op sum

o Bottom sum

6or !op%Bottom N&you must enter a whole, positive number as the value. 6or !op%Bottompercent, enter a number between 4 and 744. 6or !op%Bottom sum, you can also enter afloating point number #for e)ample, 7/.8$.

%he entry format depends on the country setting of the operative system.

%o mae it easier to enter larger numbers, there is the following entry convention:

A quotation mar behind the number means it is multiplied by one thousand, twoquotation mars means a multiplication by one million and three quotation marsmeans a multiplication by one billion, for e)ample 7./? @ 7./ 0io @ 7./44.444.

A group of condition rows is logically lined with ;-. %his means that at least oneof the condition rows has to be filled for the entire condition to be filled for onecharacteristic value.

8. Choose ;'. %his taes you bac to the query definition.

. Chooseave.


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C'anging Conditions

7. Choose Change condition#%his menu path is under the pushbutton with thearrow pointing downwards on the right ne)t to the Conditionsymbol$. *ouget to the selection window for the conditions that have already been

defined.1. Choose the condition you want to use, and then choose '. *ou get to thedialog bo) Defining conditions, where you mae the changes.

. In the query definition, choose ave.

&eleting Conditions

7. Choose Condition. *ou get to the selection window for the conditions thathave already been defined.

1. Choose the condition you want, and then choose Delete.. In the query definition, choose ave.

Result

*ou have defined or deleted a condition for a query. ()ecute the query. ;nly thoseob9ects are displayed which fulfill the defined conditions.

'isplay the descriptions of the conditions in the query view, and activate=deactivate

them with a double"clic, or the right mouse button. Choose *ayout Display

conditions.

$ee also#

5sing Conditions

&efining Conditions

Prerequisites

*ou have e)ecuted a query. *ou want to define one or more conditions for thisquery, and have chosen Change query (global definition)from the B() toolbar.

Procedure

&efining Conditions
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7. Choose New Condition. #%his menu path is under the pushbutton with the arrow pointingdownwards on the right ne)t to the Conditionsymbol$. *ou get to the dialog bo) Defineconditions.

1. &pecify a name for the condition in the Descriptionfield.

If you want to 9ust define the condition, and do not want to e)ecute it actively in thequery, remove the chec from the activefield that is there by default.

. *ou now have the following options:

o In the field Evaluate conditions below for, choose the optionAll characteristics

independent in drilldown, if you want to evaluate the lower condition rowsseparately for all the characteristics in the drilldown.


If the characteristic Customeris the only one in the query, the top / customers asfar as sales are concerned are displayed because of the condition. If thecharacteristic #roduct is the only one in the drilldown, the top / products as far assales are concerned are displayed. Whats more, if Customer and #roductare inthe drilldown, the top / customers and the top / products, as far as sales areconcerned, are displayed, as well as all 1/ combinations of the two.

o In the field Evaluate conditions below for, choose the option ingle characteristics

or characteristic combinationsif you want to evaluate only on certain drilldowns of

defined characteristics or characteristic combinations. *ou can then mae entries inthe list of characteristics which are used in the queries in rows, columns or freecharacteristics.

a. If you only want to evaluate the condition if it is in the drilldown, select it with achec.


*ou have selected Customeras the only characteristic. %he condition is only

evaluated if Customer is in the drilldown. ;nly the top / customers with their salesare displayed.

b. &elect several characteristics with a chec, if you want to evaluate the condition forcharacteristic combinations.


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*ou have selected the characteristics Customerand #roductwith a chec. %hecondition is only evaluated if Customer and #roductare in the drilldown at the sametime. %he optionAll characteristics independent in drilldown, displays the top /customer"product combinations with sales, so only / rows instead of 1/ #see

above$.

If you have defined several conditions for a query, there may be clashes betweenthe conditions that refer to the same characteristics. In this case, certain rules ofpriority apply. It is generally the most specific condition that applies when there areclashes.

;ne condition defines the top " salesfor the characteristic Customer, a secondcondition defines the bottom $ salesin the customer"product combination.

If only characteristic Customeris in the drilldown, only the first condition applies.&o, only the condition top " salesis used for the characteristic Customer.

If Customerand#roductare in the drilldown at the same time, you can use bothconditions according to your definition. In this case, the second condition applies,since it is the most specific because of its reference to the characteristiccombination.

a lower and an upper threshold value.

*ou can choose from the following operators for raned list functions:
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o !op N

o Bottom N

o !op percent

o Bottom percent

o !op sum

o Bottom sum

6or !op%Bottom N&you must enter a whole, positive number as the value. 6or !op%Bottompercent, enter a number between 4 and 744. 6or !op%Bottom sum, you can also enter afloating point number #for e)ample, 7/.8$.

%he entry format depends on the country setting of the operative system.

%o mae it easier to enter larger numbers, there is the following entry convention:

A quotation mar behind the number means it is multiplied by one thousand, two

quotation mars means a multiplication by one million and three quotation marsmeans a multiplication by one billion, for e)ample 7./? @ 7./ 0io @ 7./44.444.

A group of condition rows is logically lined with ;-. %his means that at least oneof the condition rows has to be filled for the entire condition to be filled for onecharacteristic value.

8. Choose ;'. %his taes you bac to the query definition.

. Chooseave.

C'anging Conditions

7. Choose Change condition#%his menu path is under the pushbutton with thearrow pointing downwards on the right ne)t to the Conditionsymbol$. *ouget to the selection window for the conditions that have already beendefined.

1. Choose the condition you want to use, and then choose '. *ou get to thedialog bo) Defining conditions, where you mae the changes.

. In the query definition, choose ave.

&eleting Conditions

7. Choose Condition. *ou get to the selection window for the conditions thathave already been defined.

1. Choose the condition you want, and then choose Delete.. In the query definition, choose ave.


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Result

*ou have defined or deleted a condition for a query. ()ecute the query. ;nly thoseob9ects are displayed which fulfill the defined conditions.

'isplay the descriptions of the conditions in the query view, and activate=deactivate

them with a double"clic, or the right mouse button. Choose *ayout Display

conditions.

$ee also#

5sing Conditions

&efining Queries# !usiness ()plorer Analy*er

Use

*ou analy!e the dataset of the Business Information Warehouse by definingqueries for InfoCubes. By selecting and combining Info;b9ects #characteristics andey figures$ in a query you determine in which way you navigate through andevaluate the data in the selected InfoCube.

+ntegration

*ou can give queries parameters. *ou can use variables for characteristic values,for te)ts and for formulas in the query definition. *ou create these variables inadvance in the variable "aintenance.

*ou can insert the defined query in its initial view in a ,orkbook. 5sing differentnavigation functions you can analy!e InfoCube data with the characteristics andey figures defined in the query. *ou can save various views for the query andpublish them in the Web to form a Web query. *ou can save the worboo in yourfavoritesor in activity groups -roles..

Prerequisites

%he Business Information Warehouse must contain at least one InfoCube.

Functions
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-eporting consists of the steps query definition and navigation. With the querydefinition in the Business ()plorer, you define a query that forms the basis foranaly!ing data in the InfoCube. If you imagine the InfoCube as an n7 dimensionalcube, then a sub"cube #query cube$ is cut from the InfoCube with the selection andrestriction of the characteristics and ey figures. %he data for the characteristics

that is not selected for the query is aggregated.

%he significant components of the query definition are the filter and navigation:

%he selections in the filterhave a limiting effect on the whole query. With the filter

definition, you select certain characteristic values or ey figures that is=are to be reportedon. All of the InfoCube data is aggregated using the filter selection of the query. %he filterselection cannot be changed by the navigation.

6or the navigationyou select user"defined characteristics and determine the content of the

rows and columns of the query. *ou use this selection to determine over which data areasof the InfoCube you want to navigate. In addition, how the contents of the rows andcolumns are arranged, determines the default view of the query and with it, the rows andcolumns a)is in the results area.

After it is inserted into a worboo, a query is displayed in the predefined initial view. Bynavigating through the query you can generate different views of the InfoCube data, bydragging one of the user"defined characteristics into the rows or columns of the query, fore)ample, or filter a characteristic according to a single characteristic value.

With the definition of a query the InfoCube data can be evaluated specifically andquicly. %he more precisely the query is defined the smaller the subcube is and thequicer the e)ecution and navigation.

*ou define the queries by:

&electing an +nfoCube, for which the query is defined>

&electing reusable structures that already contain characteristic or ey figure combinations

#for e)ample, contribution margin schema$>

&electing c'aracteristicsfrom the InfoCube>

-estricting selected characteristics to characteristic values, characteristic value intervals or

hierarchy nodes>

5sing variablesfor characteristic values, formulas and te)ts>

&electing key figuresfrom the InfoCube>

6ormulating calculated ey figures>

-estricting ey figures via the combination with characteristics>


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Arranging the characteristics and ey figures in rows or columns and thereby establishing

an initial vie,for the query analysis.

Activities

Choose tart #rograms A# +rontend Business ,nformation -arehouse SAP BusinessExplorer Analyzer

$ee also#

Introduction: -eporting with the Business ()plorer

'efining +ew ueries

5sing Dariables

&efining Ne, Queries

Prerequisites


Procedure

7. &tart the Business ()plorer Analy!er.1. In the B() toolbar, choose pen. *ou get to the selection screen for all e)isting worboos.. Choose .ueries. *ou get to the selection screen for all available queries.


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3roceed as follows to create a query:

By clicking on the plus or minus symbol of the directories you can e)pandor compress the directories. *ou can, for e)ample, display the list of all ofthe ey figures in the InfoCube by e)panding the ey figure node in theInfoCube tree.

5sing drag/and/dropyou can drag characteristics and ey figures fromthe InfoCube into the directories of the query definition #filter& rows&columns& free characteristics$.

5sing the rig't "ouse buttonyou call up all the functions that areavailable in the current conte)t menu. 6irst, select the query componentyou want to wor with #for e)ample, a characteristic$ and then, using theright mouse button, select a menu entry #for e)ample, #roperties$ from theconte)t menu.

By double/clicking on an element of the query definition, you call up adialog bo) containing a function that is e)ecuted by default on this element.If, for e)ample, you double"clic on a characteristic, the dialog bo) forrestricting the characteristic appears. If you double"clic on a calculatedey figure, for e)ample, then the Calculated /ey figuredialog bo), in which

you can mae changes, appears.

8. 0ae the selections for the filterof the query. 3lease note that the filter selection has arestricting effect on the entire query, meaning all of the InfoCube data is aggregated withthe filter selection. &elect the characteristics or the ey figure upon which the query shouldbe based from the directory tree of the InfoCube.

o C'aracteristics

()pand the dimension directory you want and first select one or morecharacteristics of the InfoCube that you want to restrict to one or more values, avariable, a value interval or a hierarchy node #see also#Creating ueries WithDariables $. ()pand this characteristic and, using drag"and"drop, put a single value

in the filter of the query definition. ;r, using drag"and"drop, drag the characteristicinto the +ilterarea of the query definition. 5sing the right mouse button select0estrictfrom the conte)t menu. +ow select a characteristic value interval or ahierarchy node #$ee also#-estricting Characteristics$.

o 0ey figure

'ecide whether all of the query data should refer to the number values of a eyfigure or whether the query should be based on several ey figures. If the queryshould refer to the number values of one key figure, select the corresponding eyfigure of the InfoCube tree and drag it to the +ilterarea of the query definition usingdrag"and"drop. *ou can also use a restricted or calculated ey figure #see also#-estricting and Calculating Fey 6igures$.

. +ow determine which characteristics, ey figures or structures you want to use for thenavigating onthe query data. 5sing drag"and"drop, drag the corresponding directories ofthe characteristics of the InfoCube tree to the directories rows& columnsor freecharacteristicsin the right"hand screen area of the query definition or drag the structuredirectories into the rows or columns.

If you have not selected any ey figures for the filter, then define one or more key figureseither in the rows or columns of the query. 6rom the 'ey figuresdirectory of the InfoCube
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tree drag a ey figure into a directory of the query definition using drag"and"drop #either rowor column$. %he ey figure is stored in the new directory 'ey +igure.

*ou can also define a ne, calculated key figureand use it for the query. 6or e)ample,instead of ?&ales revenue?, define the ey figure ?3rice? that is calculated using ?&alesrevenue? divided by ?uantity?. ighlight the directory 'ey figuresin the InfoCube tree and

choose New calculated /ey figurefrom the conte)t menu #right mouse clic$.

*ou can restrict key figuresto characteristic values, characteristic value intervals orhierarchy nodes by highlighting the ey figure and choosing Editfrom the conte)t menu#right mouse clic$. A restricted ey figure would be ?&ales revenue in 7stquarter?, fore)ample.

By placing the characteristics, ey figures or structures either in the rows or columnsdirectory of the query definition, you configure the first navigational stateof the query#start view$. In the lower right area you can see a preview of the results area of the query inthe start view that you selected.

*ou can change the arrangement of the ey figures and characteristics in the rowsand columns using drag"and"drop until the preview shows the results area youwant.

G. If you have created the query, you can chec the query definition by choosing the Chec/symbol in the standard toolbar.

74. &elect the symbol for .uery propertiesfrom the toolbar if you want to change thedescription&settings for 0esult position, Display optionsand Number display, or /ey dateforthe query.

77. &ave the query. (nter a technical name and a descriptionfor naming the query. %hetechnical namemust uniquely identify the query, meaning that the name is only allowed to

appear once across all InfoCubes of the Business Information Warehouse. %he technicalname can be up to 4 characters long and must begin with a letter.

Result

%he query is saved and can be inserted into a worboo. *ou can analy!e thequery data in the Business ()plorer.

$ee also#

Creating -eusable &tructures

3roperties of the uery Components

6unctions of the uery 'efinition

'isplaying and Changing the uery 'efinition

Authori!ations for the uery 'efinition
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&efining Ne, QueriesPrerequisites


Procedure

7. &tart the Business ()plorer Analy!er.1. In the B() toolbar, choose pen. *ou get to the selection screen for all e)isting worboos.. Choose .ueries. *ou get to the selection screen for all available queries.


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ey figure, for e)ample, then the Calculated /ey figuredialog bo), in whichyou can mae changes, appears.

8. 0ae the selections for the filterof the query. 3lease note that the filter selection has arestricting effect on the entire query, meaning all of the InfoCube data is aggregated withthe filter selection. &elect the characteristics or the ey figure upon which the query should

be based from the directory tree of the InfoCube.

o C'aracteristics

()pand the dimension directory you want and first select one or morecharacteristics of the InfoCube that you want to restrict to one or more values, avariable, a value interval or a hierarchy node #see also#Creating ueries WithDariables $. ()pand this characteristic and, using drag"and"drop, put a single valuein the filter of the query definition. ;r, using drag"and"drop, drag the characteristicinto the +ilterarea of the query definition. 5sing the right mouse button select0estrictfrom the conte)t menu. +ow select a characteristic value interval or ahierarchy node #$ee also#-estricting Characteristics$.

o 0ey figure

'ecide whether all of the query data should refer to the number values of a eyfigure or whether the query should be based on several ey figures. If the queryshould refer to the number values of one key figure, select the corresponding eyfigure of the InfoCube tree and drag it to the +ilterarea of the query definition usingdrag"and"drop. *ou can also use a restricted or calculated ey figure #see also#-estricting and Calculating Fey 6igures$.

. +ow determine which characteristics, ey figures or structures you want to use for thenavigating onthe query data. 5sing drag"and"drop, drag the corresponding directories ofthe characteristics of the InfoCube tree to the directories rows& columnsor freecharacteristicsin the right"hand screen area of the query definition or drag the structure

directories into the rows or columns.

If you have not selected any ey figures for the filter, then define one or more key figureseither in the rows or columns of the query. 6rom the 'ey figuresdirectory of the InfoCubetree drag a ey figure into a directory of the query definition using drag"and"drop #either rowor column$. %he ey figure is stored in the new directory 'ey +igure.

*ou can also define a ne, calculated key figureand use it for the query. 6or e)ample,instead of ?&ales revenue?, define the ey figure ?3rice? that is calculated using ?&alesrevenue? divided by ?uantity?. ighlight the directory 'ey figuresin the InfoCube tree andchoose New calculated /ey figurefrom the conte)t menu #right mouse clic$.

*ou can restrict key figuresto characteristic values, characteristic value intervals orhierarchy nodes by highlighting the ey figure and choosing Editfrom the conte)t menu#right mouse clic$. A restricted ey figure would be ?&ales revenue in 7stquarter?, fore)ample.

By placing the characteristics, ey figures or structures either in the rows or columnsdirectory of the query definition, you configure the first navigational stateof the query#start view$. In the lower right area you can see a preview of the results area of the query inthe start view that you selected.
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*ou can change the arrangement of the ey figures and characteristics in the rowsand columns using drag"and"drop until the preview shows the results area youwant.

G. If you have created the query, you can chec the query definition by choosing the Chec/symbol in the standard toolbar.

74. &elect the symbol for .uery propertiesfrom the toolbar if you want to change thedescription&settings for 0esult position, Display optionsand Number display, or /ey dateforthe query.

77. &ave the query. (nter a technical name and a descriptionfor naming the query. %hetechnical namemust uniquely identify the query, meaning that the name is only allowed toappear once across all InfoCubes of the Business Information Warehouse. %he technicalname can be up to 4 characters long and must begin with a letter.

Result

%he query is saved and can be inserted into a worboo. *ou can analy!e thequery data in the Business ()plorer.

$ee also#

Creating -eusable &tructures

3roperties of the uery Components

6unctions of the uery 'efinition

'isplaying and Changing the uery 'efinition

Authori!ations for the uery 'efinition

Using %ariables

&efinition

Dariables are parameters of a query that are set in the query definition and are notfilled with values #processed$ until the query is inserted into a worboo. %heyfunction as a store for characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, te)ts andformula elements, and can be processed in different ways.
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Dariables in the Business Information Warehouse are global variables, meaningthat they are defined in the variable maintenance and are then available for thedefinition of all queries.

T'e follo,ing variable types are available#

Dariables for Characteristic Dalues

Dariables for ierarchies and ierarchy +odes

Dariables for %e)ts

Dariables for 6ormulas

Use

Dariables mae the fle)ible setting of queries#parameteri!ation of the query$possible. If you use variables in the query definition in the Business ()plorer, donot select any fi)ed characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, te)ts, orformula elements. Instead, set up variables as place holders. %hese are filled withvalues only after the query has been inserted into a worboo # $ee also#Creatingueries with Dariables$. 1nequery definition can be used as the foundation for manydifferent queries if you use variables.

*ou want to create onequery for all the people responsible for customer groups,who each only evaluate the data for one customer group. In the query definition,you set up a variable for the characteristic Hcustomer group. ust before the queryis e)ecuted, decide for which customer group#s$ you want the query to apply to.

%he variable definition consists of maintaining basic data and detail statements inthe variable maintenance . &ee 0aintaining Dariables

Ready for +nput

*ou can determine whether the variables selected are ready for inputor not whenyou open and insert the query into a worboo. If you choose ready for inputin thevariable definition, a dialog bo) appears when you insert the query into aworboo. *ou can then enter the value#s$ you want to use, confirm defaultvalue#s$, or change default values.

H-eady for input is available for the processing types, manual entry = default value,customer e)it, &A3 e)it, and authori!ations.

C'angeable ,it' Query Navigation

In the variable maintenance screen, if you choose the option Changeable with.uery Navigation, when you e)ecute the query, you can not only select the values
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that you entered in the variables popup, but you can also use other values asdynamic filters for the query: &electing 6ilter Dalues$.

3lease note that this function is not possible if you are using the variable as part ofa structure in the query definition.

*ou can use this function for variables of characteristic values and hierarchynodes.

Processing Types

*ou must establish a processing type for each variable type. %he processing typeidentifies in which way the variable is processed when the query is inserted in theworboo.

%he followingprocessing typesare available:

0anual entry = default value

Automatic replacement using a given replacement path

3rocessing with Customer ()its

3rocessing with an &A3 e)it #from &A3 system fields$ for 'elivered Dariables

3rocessing with authori!ations:

'epending on the variable type, select the corresponding processing type.'epending on the variable type, only certain processing types are sensible. %he

following table gives an overview of possible combinations of variable type andprocessing type.

Processing types of t'e variable types#

Processingtype

C'aracteristicvalues

2ierarc'ies 2ierarc'ynode

Te)t For"ulas

0anual entry =

default value

3 3 3 3 3

-eplacementpath

3 / / 3 3

&A3 e)it 3 3 3 3 3
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Customer e)it 3 3 3 3 3

Authori!ation 3 / 3 / /

4anual (ntry 5 &efault %alue

%he processing type manual entry % default valueis available for all variabletypes. If a variable is processed with this processing type, you can enter the valueyou want to use for the variable manually in the dialog bo) before you insert thequery into the worboo. When you create the variables, you determine whetheryou enter a default value or not using the default value data.

5sing ready for input, you control that the variable with the processing typemanual entry % default values is processed automatically by the default value. (ntera default value, and deactivate Hready for input. When you insert the query into theworboo, the variable does not appear in the variable dialog bo) " the variable isprocessed by the default value.

Replace"ent Pat'

%he processing type replacement pathcan be used for variables forc'aracteristic values te)ts and for"ulas. If a variable is processed using areplacement path, then it is replaced automatically with the corresponding

characteristic value.

If you specify a variable as a characteristic value, you do not have to give a te)t forthe characteristic value straight away. Instead, you can fill the te)t field dynamically,according to the characteristic that you used for the variable when you e)ecutedthe query. 'efine a te)t variable with automatic replacement for this.

When creating variables, maintain the replace"ent pat' data. *ou choosewhether it is replaced by the fromor to value and by the /eyor the name of the

characteristic value. In addition, you can determine the offset start and offsetlengthfor the output.

Dariables for characteristic valueswith the processing type replacement path&arereplaced by the results of a query. In the 0eplacement #ath Data field, choose0eplace with a .uery 0esult, and select the query containing the result that youwant to reuse as a variable. *ou can now use the data result of the selected query,as a variable in a different query.
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%he processing type replacement pathtaes place automatically, meaning al,ays,it'out ready for input when e)ecuting.

Custo"er ()it

*ou can find information on the functions of the customer e)it, in the section3rocessing with Customer ()its.

$AP ()it

*ou can create variables with this processing type in &A3 &ystems only. %hismeans that customers cannot create variables of the type &A3 e)it. %hey are acomponent of the delivered Business Information Warehouse Business Content.*ou can find information on these variables in the section 'elivered Dariables.

Aut'ori*ation

%he processing type authori1ationcan be used for variables for c'aracteristicvalues and 'ierarc'y nodes.

Authori!ationsare maintained in the transaction -&00. If there are severalhierarchy nodes, tae the hierarchy node that you want to use automatically as thebasis for the authori!ation, and mae it the default variable hierarchy node.

When you create a variable, if you choose #rocess with Authori1ation, the variableis automatically filled with the values of the userJs authori!ation. +ow, when theuser opens a query, the data is automatically selected according to his or herauthori!ations.

3lease note that when they are automatically filled, variables do not have to beready for input, which means you do not necessarily get a dialog bo) when youopen the query. %he user opens the query with the authori!ation variable, and canonly see the data that corresponds to his or her authori!ations.

$ee also#

0aintaining Dariables

'elivered Dariables

Creating ueries with Dariables
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Creating Queries ,it' %ariablesUse

Dariables serve for a fle)ible setting of the query. 1nequery definition can be usedas the foundation for many different queries if you use variables.

If you want to create a query that is not based on fi)ed characteristic values, te)tsor formula elements, then you should create a query with variables. %he variablesare not processed and filled with values until the query is inserted into a worboo.'epending on the variable type and selected processing type, the variables can be

entered manually before the query e)ecution or modified or automaticallyprocessed.

*ou create a query with variables if:

you do not want to enter fi)ed c'aracteristic valuesin the filter or for the navigation, or if

you want to use selection options>

you do not want to enter 'ierarc'iesor 'ierarc'y nodesas fi)ed>

you want to use calculated ey figures where an ele"ent of t'e for"ulais variable>

you want to eep te)tsvariable, because the relevant characteristic is also defined by acharacteristic value variable.

Prerequisites

%he variables for characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, formulas orte)ts, which you want to use for defining queries, must be created in the Dariable0aintenancescreen.

*ou can also use the variables of the Business Content #for this see: 'eliveredDariables$.

%ariables for C'aracteristic %alues

7. &elect the characteristic of the InfoCube that you want to fi) to a variable.

2. ()pand the characteristic directory and drag the variable for characteristic values into the

query definition using drag"and"drop #see also: -estricting Characteristics$.

%ariables for 2ierarc'ies or 2ierarc'y Nodes
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7. &elect the characteristic of the InfoCube #in the InfoCube tree$, that you want to fi) to avariable.

1. 5sing drag"and"drop, drag the characteristic into the required directory of the querydefinition #row, column or filter$.

3. ighlight the characteristic and choose 0estrictusing the right mouse button in the conte)t

menu #see also#-estricting Characteristics$.


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'efining +ew ueries

5sing Dariables

'elivered Dariables

$electing and 1rgani*ing &ocu"ents# !()!ro,ser

Purpose

%he Business ()plorer Browser #B() Browser$ maes it possible for you to accessall document types of the Business Information Warehouse that are assigned to

your role, or that you have stored in your favorites. In the B() Browser, you canselect and open the documents assigned to you, or store and manage newdocuments.

%he document types which you can wor with in the B() Browser are:

BW worboos

'ocuments stored in the Business 'ocument &erved #B'&$ Lins #references to the file system, shortcuts$

Lins to Internet pages #5-Ls$

&A3 transaction calls.

BW Web reports

+ntegration

Worboos from the !usiness ()plorer Analy*er #see also: (valuating uery'ata$, as well as lins and documents from the !usiness &ocu"ent $erver, aremanaged in the Business ()plorer Browser.

%he Business ()plorer Browser displays all a users roles and favorites.

%he term role #from -elease 1.4B$ was called activity groupin-elease 1.4A, and channelin -elease 7.1B.

A users roles are assigned in the role maintenance screen#transaction36CM$ or in the user maintenance screen #transaction &547$, #see also thedocumentation on the Administrator Worbench: &etting up Authori!ationswith -ole 0aintenance$.
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%he user can maintain favorites either directly in the B() Browser, or in the $AP(asy Access menu.

3lease mae note that roles can be shown or hidden in the &A3 (asyAccess menu.

If your roles are not displayed in the &A3 (asy Access menu:

6rom &A3 (asy Access, choose 3enu 4ser menu. Choose E5tras ettings how +irst *evel.

%he names of your roles are also shown in your user menu.

Documents

SAP BW Business Explorer