SAP How-To-Guides for Analysis and Planning

This blog was created due to request from customers and partners.We would like to provide you with a summary of the SAP How-To-Guides for  Analysis and Planning that are available for you.

Enjoy and let us know, if you feel a How-To-Guide is missing.

How to…Create a Characteristic Relationship type SQL- script

In almost every planning project in SAP BPC 10.1 Embedded model (or PAK) it is necessary to use characteristic relationships to control the consistency of the data in the system. And quite often it is necessary to use exits for those relationships as the special relationships cannot be modeled in hierarchies, attributes, or DSO’s. Now when you are using ABAP exits for the characteristic relationships unfortunately the system cannot evaluate the relationships in HANA and thus the execution of the entire planning application will be forced to ABAP (see note 1637199). In this paper we describe how this behavior can be changed by using SQL-script coding for the characteristic relationships (Applicable Releases:SAP NetWeaver BW 7.40, SP5 and higher; Note 2396898 SAP HANA 1.0)

“Set Variables Before First Refresh“ using Callbacks (Analysis Office 2.2)

This blog shows how variables in Analysis for Office can be pre-populated so they are filled before the first refresh.

How-to-Guide: Integration of Work Status with Activities of the Business Process Flow in BPC

SAP customers who use Integrated Business Planning for financial planning in Management Accounting want to control the overall planning process by a guided work flow. This How-To Guide describes the use of Business Process Flow (BPF) from Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and the combined synchronized use of BPF and Work Status (WS) within the embedded Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC). The description bases on a step-by-step example to demonstrate this integration of WS with BPF.

How To: DSM-Decision Service Management / BRFplus in BW-IP

Existing planning function types allow implementing a wide range of planning scenarios. Nethertheless you might look for an easy way to define additional planning functionality using DSM-Decision Service Management / BRFplus. BRFplus is SAPs rule engine which is widely used in the Business Suite for customer defined validations, derivations and calculations.

How To…Create New Lines in EPM 10.0 Using BPC 10.1 Embedded Model

When using BPC 10.1 (Embedded Model) and the EPM client 10.0 it is currently not possible to create new lines in a report that is based on a BW query. Obviously this is a feature that is crucial for a planning application. Until a proper solution is provided this How to paper will show how new lines can be created with the help of a BW planning function.

How to Create RSTT trace for Analysis of Planning Objects in Analysis Office

RSTT trace is the necessary information to analyze the Integrated Planning issue(See KBA 1904455, 1904955 and 2045393). However, some customers don’t realize the importance, or cannot provide the useful trace for the issue, which delay the issue solving process. If this job needs to be done by SAP AGS support processor, sometimes we have to get the trace permission and more connections than R/3 support connection, e.g. BW GUI/RFC connection and/or HTTP connections. Additionally, the given userid to analyze the issue needs to assign suitable authorization and role to replicate the same issue as the end user, which takes more time and effort to confirm between customer and SAP relevant experts. This article will show how to provide a useful RSTT trace for Integrated Planning issue with an example

 How To…Use a Debugging Script to Easily Create a Test Environment for a SQL-Script Planning Function in PAK

In the Planning Application Kid it is possible to use planning functions that are written as SQL-Script procedures. These procedures can replace planning functions that are created using ABAP, as ABAP based planning functions cannot run in memory. In an older How to Paper (https://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-53377) we have already described a solution how a test environment in HANA Studio for such procedures can be created using a planning function. In the current paper we want to explain a more recent and easier method to reach the same goal.

How-to-Guide: Enhancing an Input-Ready Query with a Comments Column in Integrated Business Planning for SAP Simple Finance

SAP customers who use Integrated Business Planning for financial planning in Management Accounting are often in the situation that they want to add comments to their plan data. With SAP NetWeaver 7.40 SP08 and SAP Business Objects Analysis 1.4.9, input-ready queries for planning can be enhanced with additional columns in which users can make comments. This How-To guide describes step-by-step, using an example, how customers can enhance the content delivered by SAP for financial planning in Management Accounting with SAP Integrated Business Planning to use comment columns in input-ready queries.
How-to… Provisional Master Data in Integrated Business Planning for SAP Simple Finance

SAP customers who use Integrated Business Planning for financial planning in Management Accounting are often in the situation that key figures are to be planned for master data that does not yet exist in the tables of the ERP system. This How-To guide uses a concrete example to show, step-by-step, how additional characteristic values can be defined that function in financial planning of Management Accounting as provisional master data and can be planned, but do not yet exist in the tables of the ERP system.

How to… Use SQLScript for Planning Functions in PAK

The Planning Applications Kit is capable to execute calculation used in planning functions in memory and thus greatly accelerates the execution. Unfortunately not all planning functions can be executed in memory, especially custom defined planning functions using ABAP. This paper shows how such planning functions can be developped usiong SQL-Script

How To…Easily Create a Test Environment for a SQL-Script Planning Function in PAK

In the Planning Application Kid it is possible to use planning functions that are written as SQL-Script procedures. These procedures can replace planning functions that are created using ABAP, as ABAP based planning functions cannot run in memory.

In this paper we show a convenient way to create  a test environment directly in SAP HANA so development and testing of such procedures can be facilitated.

How To…Use Data from another Aggregation Level in a PAK SQL-Script Procedure – Implemented as an AMDP Example

In planning functions it is often necessary to use data that does not lie within the aggregation level. This data can be stored in the InfoCube as well or in a data base table. One example might be a table storing rates and a planning function that multiplies a key figure value with the corresponding rate.
In Fox formulas it is currently not possible to use such ‘external’ data within a planning function. Only such kind of data can be used that can be selected on the given aggregation level (maybe by building a MultiProvider over different InfoProviders). Thus for the given use case the planning functions are often realized as custom defined planning functions (‘ABAP Exit functions’) or by using ABAP function module calls in a Fox formula. Unfortunately both types of planning functions cannot be executed in memory and the planning functions cannot profit from the performance boost that SAP HANA offers.

With BW 7.40 SP6 and notes 1976514 and 1976522 it is now possible to easily access such data in a SQL-Script procedure. In this paper we show you how this can be done.

How to… Build a Planning Function that Copies Comments and Data Records in BW

In How to Paper…Build a Fast and Flexible Comment Solution for BEx Web Applications ( see http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-16133) we have introduced a concept for comments in SAP NetWaver BW BEx Web applications. In a second paper we have described a planning function that can be used to delete records together with the comments created with the above mentioned solution (see https://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-30197).  In the current paper we now introduce a planning function that can be used to copy data records together with the comments created with the comment solution.

How To…Realize Easy In-Cell Calculations in SAP BusinessObjects Analysis for Office

SAP BusinessObjects Analysis for Office can be used as an Excel planning front end (in conjunction with BW-IP or PAK). When planners change their plan data they do not only want to enter the absolute number in the systems. Sometimes they want to raise the value in a certain cell by say 10% or want to raise the existing value by a certain increment. As PAK and BW-IP expect absolute numbers the user has to calculate the number in a little side calculation. In this paper we show how a simple solution can be realized where the planner can enter a simply formula and apply this to one or several cells in the worksheet. This functionality is often referred to as ‘pocket calculation’.

How to… Log Changes in Plan Data when using the SAP NetWeaver BW Planning Applications Kit

In the How to Paper – Log Changes in Plan Data Using DataStore Objects (see http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-16124) we have given an example how to use the Logging BAdI in SAP NetWeaver BW-IP.  This paper is building on this How to Paper and describes how the logging functionality can now also be used in conjunction with HANA and the Planning Applications Kit (in memory planning on SAP NetWeaver BW).

In How-to Guide…Build a Fast and Flexible Comment Solution for BEx Web Applications we have introduced a concept for comments in SAP NetWaver BW BEx Web applications. In a second paper we have described a planning function that can be used to delete records together with the comments created with the above mentioned solution. In the current paper we now introduce a planning function that can be used to copy data records together with the comments created with the comment solution

How to… Build a Planning Function that Deletes Comments in BW

In our how to paper How To Build a Fast and Flexible Comment Solution for BEx Web Applications we have introduced a solution for using comment in BEx Web Templates. In the current paper we introduce a planning function that can delete data records together with the comments created with the mentioned solution in one step.

How To…Highlight Changed Cells in SAP BusinessObjects Analysis for Office (PDF 795 KB)

This How to Paper shows the solution how the SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office can highlight the changes in several queries in a workbook at the same time.

SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, Edition for Microsoft Office – How to…Easy Execution of Planning Objects

On this topic see the 3 objects available: Paper, Video, ZIP File

How To… Build a Fast and Flexible Comment Solution for BEx Web Applications (PDF 1 MB)

When analyzing BW data or especially when planning new key figure values using BW Integrated Planning there is a need to enter some comments to explain the entered values or add some text information to key figures. In this paper we will describe a flexible yet simple to use solution for using comments in BEx Web Applications. 09 Dec 2010 ( Updated July 2012)

Note: This paper has been revised and updated in July 2012. It now offers a much more general solution (most restrictions on the query have been eliminated) and also additional features. Also a number of problems have been solved. It is strongly recommended to use this new version of the paper.

How To…Build up a Simple Offline Planning Scenario in SAP BusinessObjects Analysis for Office (PDF 591 KB)

This How to Paper shows how to implement a simple offline planning solution using BW-IP or ABAP Planning Applications Kit with SAP BusinessObjects Analysis for Office. It describes how workbooks are built where the user can change plan data offline and later synchronize the data again with the BW server.

How To… Execute a Planning Function on Selected Lines in an Analysis for Office Workbook (PDF 787 KB)

When using planning functions in a planning application the user often wants to interactively narrow down which are the numbers or records that the planning function should change. In this how to paper we show an example for a planning application built with SAP BusinessObjects Analysis for Office and SAP NetWeaver BW Integrated Planning where the user can select one or several lines in a data source (query) and execute a predefined planning function on these records. 12 October 2011

How To… Log Changes in Plan Data Using DataStore Object (PDF 577 KB)

In many planning project it is not only necessary to create new plan data but also to keep track how this new data originated. Thus a mechanism is necessary that logs all changes done in the plan data – either when new data is created or existing data is changed. Usually the logging information contains information about the user who has done the changes and the date and time when these changes where performed. This paper gives an example how the new logging BAdI delivered with SAPNetWeaver 7.0 EHP1 (SP6) can be used to log information about these changes in a DataStore Object. As the example is very generic the contained coding can be easily adapted to a given customer scenario. 11 May 2010

How To… Flexibly Change Characteristic Values and Comments in BI Integrated Planning (PDF 661 KB)

BI Integrated Planning concentrates mainly on key figure planning. Nevertheless there is quite often the need to manually change the characteristic values of a record during the planning process. This how-to paper describes a technique that can be used by the end user to replace characteristic values in records either by choosing existing values from a drop down box or by entering new values (for a characteristic without master data) in an input field. Thus this technique can be used to do a lightweight master data planning. The how-to paper explains the underlying technique and gives a step by step description on how this techniques can be used in a Web template. 08 Nov 2009

How To… Dynamically Set Data Providers in SAP NetWeaver BW Planning Applications (PDF 510 KB)

It is very common that within a planning application several plan queries are used. For usability and performance reasons, these queries are usually placed on different tab strips (BEx Web) or Worksheets (BEx Analyzer). An easy example could be a revenue planning where the end user can enter the prices, the sold volumes, and can view the calculated revenue. The end user starts with entering the prices on the first tab strip and moves then on to the second tab strip with the sales volumes and the calculated revenue. In this How to Paper, we will show how the performance of such planning applications can be improved.

How To… Run Planning Functions on Changed Records in SAP NetWeaver BW Integrated Planning (PDF 508 KB)

In planning projects we often deal with a great number of plan data for the entire project. The single planners usually are also responsible for a great amount of data but often only change a small subset of this data. Which data will be changed by the user cannot be foreseen. On the other hand the number of touched records is a crucial parameter that drives the performance of planning functions. Thus the number of those records should be restricted as much as possible. This how to paper will show how to model a system where the records changed by the user will be marked by a flag. The flag can then be used to build up a minimal selection for the planning function. 25 Jan 2009

How To… Build up a Simple Offline Planning Scenario in Bex Analyzer (PDF324KB)

Often users want to be able to have a simple offline planning solution. They want to open their normal Bex Analyzer Workbooks, save them locally on the disc and want to enter new data offline. At a later point of time they want to log on to the system again by starting the Bex Analyzer, open the locally saved workbook, and save the changed data to the system. It is crucial that there is no separate offline solution but that the same workbooks as in online planning are used. This paper will show how to use some macros to enable such a solution.

How To…Copy and Paste in BEx Web Applications (PDF 230 KB)

You are using BEx Web Applications for planning. As the data to be entered is frequently taken from other sources like MS Excel you like to paste values into cells of the input ready query. This How to Guide describes a JavaScript implementation to add this functionality to BEx WebApplications.

How  To…Line Items in BW-BPS / Line Items in Business Intelligence (BI) Integrated Planning (PDF 200 KB)

Learn an easy way to use characteristic derivation to make a unique identification of the data record, allowing you to record who entered a data record and when.

How To… Load a File into BI-Integrated Planning (PDF 1 MB)

This paper describes a solution that allows business planners to load a file directly into their planning application using a web browser. Download attached system files. (ZIP 985 KB)

How  To… Use Work-Packages to Control Locking in BI Integrated Planning (PDF 565 KB)

In planning projects we typically have the situation that each user is responsible for a certain work-package. These work-packages usually also depend on the planning application. The work packages of two different users might be disjoint or they might overlap. For latter case, locking conflicts may arise. This how-to paper shows how work-packages can be modeled efficiently to avoid locking issues.

How To… Build BEx Analyzer Workbooks for Planning with Excel Design Objects (PDF 2.3 MB)

Learn to use images and other Excel Design Objects for building Planning Applications within the Business Explorer (BEx) Analyzer framework. 01 Sep 2006

How To… Build Planning Application Workbooks in BI Integrated Planning (PDF 813 KB)

This paper provides a step-by-step process to building a planning application. It covers embedding a planning query in the workbook; inserting a graph based upon the planning query; inserting a navigation pane and specialized filtering tools; and using buttons to execute planning functions and sequences.

How To… Create a Planning Function in Business Intelligence (BI) Integrated Planning that Calls BPS Exits (PDF 290 KB)

This paper describes how the predefined and delivered class (CL_RSPLFC_BPS_EXITS) can be leveraged to reuse the business logic implemented as a planning function type exit in BW-BPS in Business Intelligence Integrated Planning.

How To… use BPS and Business Intelligence (BI) Integrated Planning in Parallel – Data Slices and Characteristic Relations (PDF 268 KB)

When changing rules in one application, you must adjust the corresponding rules in other applications as well. This document describes how to make this adjustment automatically by executing an ABAP program.