Reporting(Variables)

Queries with two structures:

A query which uses two structures provides a very large number of
opportunities for creative report design.
We can have a maximum of two structures in a query.
we can place both structures in the rows or columns or we can put
one structure in the row and on in the column.
we can mix structures and characteristics in the rows or columns.
we can provide our own descriptions for the rows/columns that are
represented by structures membrs. (i.e. define the first row of a structure
based on required values of 0person and name the row 'My Team').
we can use all the usual filtering options to define the members of the
structure, i.e, single values, ranges, hierarchy nodes. We can even use
variables to keep the selection flexible.

We can use Navigation Attributes for defining queries in reporting in the
same way as characteristics. They are displayed in the characgteristic
dimension.

VARIABLES:

Variables are query parameters that you define in the Query Designer
and that are filled with values only when you execute the query or
Web application.

How can I structure my reports more flexibly?
By using Variables

Variables are reusable objects.
The variables defined in the query designer are available in all infoproviders
for use in query definition. Variables do not depend on the infoprovider,
but rather on the infoobject for which they were created.

Variables enable you to set queries more flexibly (query parametrization).
When using variables in the query designer, you do not chose fixed
characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, texts, or formula
elements, but rather you set variables as placeholders. These placeholders
are then filled with values at query runtime(when you insert the query
into a workbook, when you refresh a workbook or when you launch the query
on the web). If you use variables, a query definition can then serve as the
basis for many different queries.

Swapping Interval Limits:

If you are using variables when maaking interval selections, you can
swap the limits by highlighting the relevant variable in the right
selection window, and choosing swap interval limits from the context menu.

By using Formula variable:

To calculate the average sales by store, use a formula variable to provide
the number of stores to the calculation. This values could be read from
a master table, supplied by a user at run time, it could even be an
attribute of an organization.

The customer exit processing type for variables enables you to determine
values for variables by means of a function module exit. The function
module used is EXIT_SAPLRRSO_001.

we create a project in transaction CMOD by selecting the SAP enhancement
RSR00001 and assigning this to the enhancement project.

For more information about working with the SAP enhancement for global
variables in reporting, see the SAP enhancement help. Call the transaction
SMOD. Enter the name of the enhancement(RSR00001), choose documentation and
then Edit Display/Change. For general information about working with
Customer Exits, see the application help in transaction CMOD.

Defining New Variables

New variables are defined in the dialogs where they used. The settings are
made on a series of tabs. That is

General Tab
Replacement path
Details
Default values   and
Currencies and units.

The setting Offset Start and Offset Length enables yo to determine the
start and the length of the text output. For example, if the only the
first 10 characters of the text are to be used, the Offset Start value
would be 0 and the Offset Length value would be 10.

In order to structure our reports flexibly,you want to use variable
instead of fixed values to restrict our keyfigures. We want to list the
sales volume for each of our materials for a particular month and for
a time interval. We want to display the chosen time or time period in
the column header of the sales volumes.

In order for the exception to take effect, all characteristics with a
value on this screen other than Standard must be in the drilldown of the
report. If there is a characteristic in the report drilldown that has
standard as the assigned value on this screen, we have to place this
characteristic at the end of the drilldown, otherwise the exception
will not take effect.

The sales department wants the flexibility to restrict a report so that
only the most important information displays. This should enable a more
efficient analysis of data when large amounts of data are analyzed. We
now have the task of using conditions within a query definition in order
to meet the aims of the sales department.

A condition row consists of a keyfigure, an operator, and a value for
the operator. In query definitions that contain two structures, there is
an additional field for defining a structural component.

The SAP BI users use BEx Analyser as an analytical, reporting, and design
tool embedded in Microsoft Excel to easily access Infoprovider data,
Queries, Query Views, and workbooks and to analyze the data by navigating
interactively. They can configure global settings and specific settings
for workbooks, create new workbooks and trigger the distribution of them.
In order to define new query definitions they also can launch the BEx
Query Designer.


Bex Analyzer:

The SAP BI users user BEx Analyzer as an analytical, reporting, and design
tool embedded in Microsoft Excel to easily access Infoprovider data,
Queries, Query Views, and workbooks and to analyze the data by navigating
interactively,. They can configure global settings and specific settings
for workbooks, create new workbooks and trigger the distribution of them.
In order to define new query definitions they also can launch the BEx
Query Designer.

When we first launch the BEx Analyzer two toolboxes appear. The analysis
toolbox contains all the functions used when the user is working with
the query results in the workbook. The design toolbodx contain the
functions used when developing the workbook.

Open Dialogue
First you need to decide precisely what do you want to open? There are two
choices:
Previously saved workbook.
This is a workbook which contains one or more queries and may also contain
specific tilters, graphics and formating. The workbook may also be made
up of many worksheets.

New workbook based on existing query.
When you choose this option we will reach the query dialog box and
we will need to choose an existing query to embed in the new workbook.
The workbook will appear with standard BEx formating.

Open workbook :

To open workbook we follow this tabs:
1.Find: Enter search parameters to find workbook.
2. History: The most recently used workbooks.
3. Favourites: Workbook you want to find quickly
4. Roles: Workbooks relevant to your position.

Open query dialog:
Five buttons are there
Find
2.History
3.Favourites
4.Roles
5.Infoareas

Save Workbook Dialogue:

A workbook can contain the results of one or more queries, the queries
can appear on multiple worksheets or one a single worksheet. A workbook
can be formatted to the user's requirements(logos,fonts,styles etc) and
can contain Excel native formatting and other Excel features such as
pivot tables, filters.

The save dialog box offers two places where the workbook could be saved.
1.Favourites
A workbook saved here could only be opened by the user who saved it there.
This is regarded as a personal set of workbooks. A user can add other
workbooks to this area by using the menu options 'Add to Favourites' in
the open dialog box.

Roles:

A workbook saved here can be opened by others who share the same role.
Potentially it could be possible for one person to open the workbook, make
some changes to the results(i.e. change filters) or change formating,
then re-save the workbook affecting all users who use the same workbook.

So it is important to consider BEx Analysis Authorizations when workbooks
are shared via roles so changes can be controlled.

In Favourites save here to keep this workbook private
In Roles save here to share the workbook with colleagues.

Refresh/Pause Automatic Refresh

The default action following any change to the navigation state of the
result set in a workbook is that an automatic refresh of the query
is performed.
When a workbook is saved the reporting data can also be saved with
the workbook. This means that when the workbook is reopened the user
will immediately see the old reporting data, they would have to press
the refresh button in order to refresh the data. We have to consider
whether this is the required behavior for the users, they may prefer
to have the workbook automatically refresh on opening.

When in manual refresh mode.......
click refresh button to force refresh of data when you are ready.

When in auto refresh mode......
Click button to switch to manual refresh mode.

In the workbook settings
we have the following tabs are there:
General,Themes,Items,Dataprovider,Exits
In general tab;.

Refreshh workbook on open
Process variables on Refresh
Allow Drag and Drop
Protect workbook

Changing Variable Value:

When a workbook is opened which contains one or more variables, these
variabels will need to be populated. There are a number of choices related
to processing of variables in workbooks.

Variants: A variant is a collection of variable values which have been
previously saved so that they can easily be recalled.

Personalize Variables:
A user can choose to save the values of variables in a personal list.

Start with These Values Next Time:

If this box is checked then the next time the workbook opens using the
variables values in the dialog box.

In the BEx Analyzer:
The Tools button can be found on the analysis toolbox and provides
access to a number of useful tools.

Query Designer:
We can open the query designer in 'create' mode we need to build a new
query.
Broadcaster:
The Broadcaster allows to send the workbook results to other users either
immediately or at predefined timepoint. This link will open up the
broadcaster dialog so that you are able to make the settings.

Planningmoderler:
This link opens the Planning Modelere. Here we can design planning
applications that are fully integrated with the BEx environment.

Report Designer;/
The report Designer allows to create reports based on BEx Queries which
require a high level of formating. This link takes you to this tool.

Web Analyzer:

The Web Analyzer is a web based tool which allows a user to open queries,
query views from SAP and non SAP data sources for flexible analysis. This
link takes you to this tool.

GLOBAL SETTINGS;
The global settings allow to define the environment in which all work
books will be processes. The settings are organized via tabs as follows:

Behavior
1. Display system Name in Local History
    Sometimes it is helpful to identify the source of the report(
and therefore the data) before opening.

2. Lon on With Attached GUI
3. Launch Legacy version from RRMX
4.Launch Analyzer whenever Excel starts.


Workbook Settings:

In The General tab:

a.refresh workbook on open
b.Process variables on Refresh
c. Allow Drag and Drop
d. Protect Workbook


Workbooks are a key presentation vehicle for the BEx qury results. In
our business users are familiar with the Excel environment and require
the query results to be saved in this format. The users would like to
ensure the workbooks are always upto date when opening and that they
are not required to re-enter the variables selection each time the
workbook is opened.


WEB ANALYZER;

SAP BI users should use the BEx Web Analyzer to perform adhoc analysis
on top of various BI data providers( Infoproviders, BEx Query Views) as
well as 3rd party BI data providers. Users can save the results of the
adhoc analysis in the Enterprise Portal or as a new BEx Query Views.
The results of the adhoc analysis can also be printed or can be sent
to Information Broadcasting for distribution.

The Bex Web Analyzer is one of several BEx Web tools provided as part
of the Business Explorer suite. The analytical options provided by the
Web Analyzer are optimized for busines experts. For example, navigation
in an analysis is easy and intuitive using drag and drop operations to
quickly change the structure of the analysis. Additionally, the user
can quickly create exceptions and conditions with the help of
built-in wizards.

ADHOC Analysis using Drag & Drop and Enhanced Filter Area:

Drag items from one section of the navigation block to another,i.e. from
the rows to the columns, to immediately alter the structure of the
analysis.

Drag items from the navigation block directly to the rows or columns
of the analysis results.

Drag charcteristics tot the filter area to immediately perform the
corresponding filtering of the results.

Drag itemms out of the analysis grid to remove them from the analysis.


INFORMATION BROADCASTING:

Information Broadcasting is a flexible function of the Business Explorer
which provides to facility to distribute reporting results out to various
audiences whether they are regular SAP BI users or not. Broadcasting
is not restricted to one method. We can choose the source of the data,
the format of the data, the target audience, the broadcast channel
and of course the timing of the broadcast. we can even use a combination
of these for a single broadcast. There is also a Wizard to help you
work through the settings if we are an occasional user. Broadcasts can
be defined as a one time distribution or they can be set to distribute
result data on a regular basis at predetermined times. The data can be
either precalculated or the broadcast can send a link to the online data.
Users may decide if they want to subscribe to bradcats.