9. Using Formulas and Variables | SAP BusinessObjects Reporting Cookbook

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Table Of Contents

SAP BusinessObjects Reporting Cookbook

By : Yoav Yohav

4.4 (9)

SAP BusinessObjects Reporting Cookbook

4.4 (9)

By: Yoav Yohav

Overview of this book

If you are a business analyst, BI developer, or an IT professional who wants to learn the A to Z of how to work with Web Intelligence reporting tools and different types of data, then this book is for you. The only thing you need is a basic understanding of what Business Intelligence is and data concepts.

Preface

Preface

What this book covers

What you need for this book

Who this book is for

Conventions

Reader feedback

Customer support

Free Chapter

1. Working with the BI Launch Pad

1. Working with the BI Launch Pad

Introduction

Connecting to the BI launch pad

Navigating within the BI launch pad

Using the BI launch pad toolbars

Adjusting the preferences

Searching documents

Launching applications

The report menu functionality

Working with different objects of the BI launch pad

2. Creating New Queries

2. Creating New Queries

Introduction

The universe structure

Creating a simple query

Editing the query

Filtering the query results

Using prompts

Using AND/OR logic in conditions

Creating nested filters

Using a subquery

Using combined queries

Adding another query

Working with several queries

Working with the query properties

Using the data preview

Viewing the SQL

Using other query results

Scope of analysis

Using database ranking

Using BEx queries

3. Working Inside the Report

3. Working Inside the Report

Introduction

Understanding the structure of the Report layer

Understanding the concept of the microcube

Working with the Left Pane panels

Working with the report toolbars

Navigating between the view modes

The File and Properties tabs

4. Working with Tables

4. Working with Tables

Introduction

Getting to know the structure of tables

Working with different types of tables

Formatting tables

Working with cross tables

Hiding dimensions

5. Working with Charts

5. Working with Charts

Introduction

Working with the Line chart

Working with different chart types

Formatting charts

6. Formatting Reports

6. Formatting Reports

Introduction

Using sorts

Using calculations

Using sections and breaks

Ranking

Conditional rules

Data tracking

Outline and fold

7. Filtering the Report Data

7. Filtering the Report Data

Introduction

Applying a simple filter

Working with the filter bar

Using input controls

Working with an element link

8. Merging Data

8. Merging Data

Introduction

Merging data from several queries

Understanding the merge logic

Merging data from different universes

Merging data from different data sources

Filtering matched values

Troubleshooting aggregation problems

Extending the data synchronization

9. Using Formulas and Variables

9. Using Formulas and Variables

Introduction

Using formulas

Working with variables

Using aggregate functions

Using character functions

Using data provider functions

Using date and time functions

Using document functions

Using logical functions

Using misc functions

Using numeric functions

Using extended syntax

10. Using Hyperlinks

10. Using Hyperlinks

Introduction

Connecting reports

Passing parameters between reports

Linking to a web page

Creating and editing hyperlinks manually

11. Using Drill

11. Using Drill

Introduction

Using the scope of analysis

Using a query drill

Using the drill formula

12. Scheduling Reports

12. Scheduling Reports

Introduction

Scheduling a report

Working with instance history

Publications

Advanced publication options

13. Working with BI Workspaces

13. Working with BI Workspaces

Introduction

Creating BI workspaces

Working with report parts

14. Web Intelligence Rich Client

14. Web Intelligence Rich Client

Introduction

Working with Web Intelligence Rich Client

Working with local data providers

Adjusting options

Index

Index

Working with variables

A variable is simply a formula turned into a local object that can be viewed and used from the Available objects pane and treated just as any other object that exists in the report and was retrieved by the query.

Another way to define a variable is that it is a formula that has a name.

During creation, a formula inserts its result into a specific and usually a single column; to build a variable is just like saying that we have created a global formula in the report that can easily be used in every report tab, table, and chart.

There are several advantages to creating a variable compared to a formula:

We can reuse a variable easily without needing to copy and paste or recreate the formula
Variables can be used in filters, ranking, and conditional formatting, while formulas can't
When creating a variable, we can give it a business term rather than dealing with a long and sometimes complex syntax; this option is even more useful when we have a complex calculation that is combined...

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