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Author's profile photo Former Member

Dynamic Variables using Input Control

Applies to:

SAP Business Objects BI 4.0

Summary:

Recently one of my colleagues asked me if there was a way we could manipulate value being used in the formula of a variable using input controls because similar thing can be accomplished using Tableau. My first thought to this is why do you want to use input control when you can achieve this by modifying the universe for which he said the users don’t have access to modify the universe and also cannot write their own queries .

Below is what was to be accomplished

Variable name : Threshold

Variable Definiton : =IF([Object] >=100000;Good Business) the user wanted to vary the value ‘100000’ and have a different definition of ‘Good Business’ with the help of input controls.

* For example currently Good Business implies any sales greater than or equal to 100000 but down the line as the business grew the user may say Good Business implies any sales greater than or equal to 200000

Universe used:

efashion

Using efashion universe select result objects [Store name], [Sales revenue] the data looks like below

E1.JPG

Create the below variables

User Input : =0 ( Make sure the datatype is number )

Threshold : =IF([Sales revenue]>=User Input;”Good Business”)

Create the Input Control as below

E4.JPG

When you enter a threshold value you that defines what good business mean it would look something like below where i am saying if revenue is greater than $ 3M then stores have done good business. I am actually filtering on the last column so it only shows me stores that fall in this category.

E6.JPG

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      10 Comments
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      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Good logic...Just like if then else scenarios...

      thanks for posting

      Author's profile photo William MARCY
      William MARCY

      Great Webi trick !

      You've been added to Webi 4.x tricks : summary for a better visibility. Keep posting !

      William

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Hi Tauseef,

      Very Nice trick and thanks for posting.

      Sampath

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Hi Tauseef,

      It is good thought,but could you please give me one tutorial about this trick for more understand purpose

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      can any one explain clearly !! I understand the logic, but where we can create the input control..(where will be that option ) ?? 😕

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Input Control option is available from 3.1 SP3 onwards versions.

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Great! Thanks for sharing.

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      This is great. Do you have similar instructions for a Date variable? I'm having trouble defining a "blank" date variable similar to your "User Input" variable. Thanks!

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      This Trick is not working for  SAP Business Objects BI 4.1.

      In Input Control When we select User Input Variable in Operator it is show only equal to

      I solved it using Reportfilter function

      Author's profile photo Richard Reeves
      Richard Reeves

      Thanks .. It was helpful.