This blog covers some of the latest new features and enhancements in SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Digital Boardroom release 2018.17. Please note that the Analytics Cloud Help documentation is updated at the same time as the upgrade to this release, so the links here may not yet reflect what is described below until after the upgrade is complete.
Upgrade your SAP Analytics Cloud agent to the latest agent version 1.0.119 to take advantage of all the data acquisition types!
If you haven’t upgraded yet, here are the data acquisition minimum requirements:
For more information, see System Requirements and Technical Prerequisites.
Highlights of this release:
Learn with our latest video tutorials
Administration & Infrastructure
As an Administrator, you can now build stories off the data that is visible in the Security > Activities table. To achieve this, you must first import the content from Browse > Files > Content Library. Once imported, you can access packages that include the following models and information:
To query for data from these models, your colleagues need to be assigned READ permission on the imported analytics model, as well as READ permission on the Activity Log.
Learn more about monitoring user activity, data changes and system usage
Planning
Export flat hierarchies, comments, and calculations to CSV
Think about all the great ways you can share your data with your peers. When in tables, you can export hierarchies as CSV data and separate the hierarchy levels into individual columns in the CSV file.
Got calculations? You can also export your calculations into a CSV file as well. For tables with comments, these will now be included as part of your CSV export.
Learn more about exporting data as a CSV file
In view mode, you can now show 'Unbooked' or 'Totals' cells; the 'Show' option is in the table's header-cell quick action menu.
Learn more about showing unbooked data in charts
Do some of your colleagues have too much to say? Keep your comments concise and to the point by setting your own limit for the number of data-point comments in a model in the System Administration area.
Learn more about adding comments to a data cell
We’ve simplified roles in Calendar tasks and processes: the Writer and Creator roles are now the Owner role. Also, as an assignee, you now see the status and percent completion of your tasks instead of the overall project.
Learn more about creating tasks
You can now use functions to filter values at the cell level. The cell value filter, either in the form of multiple members or value comparison, can be used in a ResultLookup wrapped in an IF statement.
We’ve enhanced Data Actions within planning. You can now use integer and float variables in Advanced Formulas Data Actions.
Math wizards rejoice! You can now use more mathematical functions in Advanced Formulas Data Actions, including ROUND, CEIL, FLOOR, and TRUNC.
Learn more about Data Actions
Data Integration
Management of sequential data import jobs just got simpler! You can now group data import jobs together and assign dependencies so that import jobs are executed in a desired order. An entire group can be scheduled for data import refresh, or each job within the group can be executed manually for data refresh. Specific data refresh rules can be assigned to a group like ‘Stop if any query fails’ or ‘Skip any failed query.’
Creating a Model against a data import connection just became easier. Navigate our ever-growing list of data import connections with ease using the Datasource Type Filter.
Because of the Digital Boardroom’s full support of the Microsoft Edge browser, there is no longer a need for the SAP Digital Boardroom app on the Microsoft Windows store. The ability to quickly launch different boardrooms and stories is also now available from the SAP Analytics Cloud home screen.
Modeling
Convert a date or string-based time dimensions from a live HANA model into a time-hierarchy. Take advantage of time-hierarchy-related features such as Difference From calculations, trend series charts, and time range sliders for filtering in stories. Even if you do not have prior modeling in HANA, you can still consume time-based features.
Please note:
Intelligent Enterprise
Live connection to SAP BW now supports the BEx Query feature concept “show node above” in table or grid visualizations only. This displays the lower level nodes of a hierarchy from the above position, rather than below.
Data Visualization
Whether you like abbreviations or not, you are free to choose whether you want long (Thousand, Million, etc.) or short (k, m, etc.) scale formatting. Update your stories easily through your subscription’s configuration which is available under “System”> “Administration”. If you want to apply this change to only certain parts of the story, this widget-level configuration is available for tables, charts and geo maps. You can also format the scale of calculated measures as well.
Enhance your geo bubbles with this new ability to create a bubble layer where the colors of the bubbles are determined by a dimension value. If a location has more than one dimension member, the bubble will be shown as a pie chart and an auto Top 5 per location is applied. This includes drill support for hierarchical dimensions.
Learn more about adding the bubble layer
Calling all story designers! The improved Styling Panel is here to make your life easier.
The manual styling experience has been simplified. We’ve reordered the styling option for all widgets, moving non-styling options (e.g. Actions, Explorer Properties, etc.) to the builder panel. This allows for contextual formatting on selected chart regions, such as the legend, and implements “Reset” for widget editing. Also, this maintains the open and collapsed space of styling options.
Want to see it yourself? Check out the screenshots below!
Learn more about styling
With the ability to specify truncation to left, right or middle per dimension, story designers now have more control in ensuring charts are clear and easy-to-read.
In the quick action menu within Explorer, you are now able to directly export your data to CSV files. This can be achieved through both the Edit and View modes. If you decide to disable export to CSV within the modeler, this setting will be respected within Explorer.
Live HANA 2.0 models can now be blended with import models. This works for all features that are available today for blending scenarios, including out of context blending and blended calculations. To blend the two datasets, the aggregated data of the secondary model will be temporarily moved to the primary system. If the import model is the primary model, then the aggregated live HANA data will be replicated to SAP Analytics Cloud. We recommend that your favourite IT person sets up Smart Data Integration to enable this capability.
Learn more about creating a model from a live data connection
As a story designer, you can easily filter based on a measure range. Filters are evaluated logically at each level: story, page and widget. The result of the filter at the immediate level above impacts the data that is being filtered on the level below.
For example, you could “Show all countries with sales revenue over $10M which would have the following scope:
• Story and page filters
• Select existing measure to use (including calculated and restricted measures)
• Select one or more dimension as context for aggregation, e.g. county
• Select range and static values
Please note that blended models are not yet supported, and calculated dimensions cannot be used as context for measure-based filters.
Old school calculators, begone! You’re now able to use each calculated dimension like regular dimensions for charts, tables, filters or input controls for live HANA 2.0. This includes calculating dimensions by concatenating two dimensions, grouping members, and grouping measure values.
These are the new string calculations:
Please note:
When building your stories, you now have more control with date intervals. In the Calculation Editor, you can create date difference calculations with max, min, average, and sum.
It doesn’t end here, though! You can also calculate different granularities such as year, quarter, month, weeks and even days.
Enhance your analysis for time series charts with the new timestamp dimension from live HANA 2.0. With the improved flexibility of applying fixed and dynamic timestamp filters, you can extract the most valuable information within a specific time frame.
Not only will your histograms easily convey comparative insights, they will do so in a visually compelling way! The histogram chart may be found under the "Distribution" chart group and works with one measure, one aggregation dimension, colour and number of bins.
Want it done your way? We’ve added the ability to custom sort dimension members on charts. This only applies for dimension members but don’t worry, the table sort will come soon.
Custom sort is reusable within the story across charts. For hierarchical dimensions, you can only sort amongst siblings.
Additional resources:
Previous feature summary blogs:
**Legal disclaimer
SAP has no obligation to pursue any course of business outlined in this blog or any related presentation, or to develop or release any functionality mentioned therein. This blog, or any related presentation and SAP’s possible future developments, products and or platforms directions and functionality are all subject to change and may be changed by SAP at any time for any reason without notice. The information in this blog is not a commitment, promise or legal obligation to deliver any material, code, or functionality. This blog is provided without a warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. This blog is for informational purposes and may not be incorporated into a contract. SAP assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document, except if such damages were caused by SAP’s willful misconduct or gross negligence.
All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions.
Upgrade your SAP Analytics Cloud agent to the latest agent version 1.0.119 to take advantage of all the data acquisition types!
If you haven’t upgraded yet, here are the data acquisition minimum requirements:
- Version 1.0.109 for SAP Business Warehouse (BW)
- Version 1.0.99 for SAP ERP / SQL databases
- Version 1.0.91 for SAP Universe
- Version 1.0.75 for all other data source types
For more information, see System Requirements and Technical Prerequisites.
Highlights of this release:
- Administration & Infrastructure: Self-service usage analysis
- Planning: Export flat hierarchies, comments, and calculations to CSV
- Planning: Show Unbooked or Totals cells in view mode
- Planning: Set limit for data-point comments
- Planning: Calendar task & process improvements
- Planning: Filter values at the cell level in Advanced Formulas
- Planning: Advanced Formulas Data Actions with integer and float variables
- Planning: Additional mathematical functions in Advanced Formula Data Actions
- Data Integration: Group refresh jobs for sequential updates
- Data Integration: User interface improvements
- Digital Boardroom: Microsoft Windows App no longer required
- Modeling: Convert Date and String-Based Time Dimensions into a Time Hierarchy
- Intelligent enterprise: Show node above
- Data Visualizations: Short vs. long scale formatting
- Data Visualizations: Color geo bubbles by dimension
- Data Visualizations: Enhanced styling experience
- Data Visualizations: Truncate dimension labels in charts
- Data Visualizations: Export to CSV from Explorer
- Data Visualizations: Blending of Live HANA 2.0 models with import data
- Data Visualizations: Measure-based page and story filters for live HANA 2.0
- Data Visualizations: Calculated dimensions for live HANA 2.0
- Data Visualizations: Date interval calculation for live HANA 2.0
- Data Visualizations: Timestamp support for live HANA 2.0
- Data Visualizations: Histogram for live HANA 2.0
- Data Visualizations: Custom sort of dimension members in charts in live HANA 2.0
Learn with our latest video tutorials
- Create a model from SuccessFactors Workforce Analytics
- Apply filters to a chart in a story
- Apply filters to a geo map in a story
- Full tutorial playlist >
Administration & Infrastructure
Self-service usage analysis
As an Administrator, you can now build stories off the data that is visible in the Security > Activities table. To achieve this, you must first import the content from Browse > Files > Content Library. Once imported, you can access packages that include the following models and information:
- Activities: Users' activities within SAP Analytics Cloud (from the System > Activities table)
- Users: Information about users and teams within SAP Analytics Cloud which can be linked to the Activities model using the User ID dimension
- Files: Information about objects from the Files area of SAP Analytics Cloud. This can be linked to the Activities model using the Object ID dimension
- Other Object Metadata: Additional information about files and other object types, including dependencies. This can be linked to the Activities model using the Object ID dimension
To query for data from these models, your colleagues need to be assigned READ permission on the imported analytics model, as well as READ permission on the Activity Log.
Learn more about monitoring user activity, data changes and system usage
Planning
Export flat hierarchies, comments, and calculations to CSV
Think about all the great ways you can share your data with your peers. When in tables, you can export hierarchies as CSV data and separate the hierarchy levels into individual columns in the CSV file.
Got calculations? You can also export your calculations into a CSV file as well. For tables with comments, these will now be included as part of your CSV export.
Learn more about exporting data as a CSV file
Show Unbooked or Totals cells in view mode
In view mode, you can now show 'Unbooked' or 'Totals' cells; the 'Show' option is in the table's header-cell quick action menu.
Learn more about showing unbooked data in charts
Set limit for data-point comments
Do some of your colleagues have too much to say? Keep your comments concise and to the point by setting your own limit for the number of data-point comments in a model in the System Administration area.
Learn more about adding comments to a data cell
Calendar task & process improvements
We’ve simplified roles in Calendar tasks and processes: the Writer and Creator roles are now the Owner role. Also, as an assignee, you now see the status and percent completion of your tasks instead of the overall project.
Learn more about creating tasks
Filter values at the cell level in Advanced Formulas
You can now use functions to filter values at the cell level. The cell value filter, either in the form of multiple members or value comparison, can be used in a ResultLookup wrapped in an IF statement.
Advanced Formulas Data Actions with integer and float variables
We’ve enhanced Data Actions within planning. You can now use integer and float variables in Advanced Formulas Data Actions.
Additional mathematical functions in Advanced Formula Data Actions
Math wizards rejoice! You can now use more mathematical functions in Advanced Formulas Data Actions, including ROUND, CEIL, FLOOR, and TRUNC.
Learn more about Data Actions
Data Integration
Group refresh jobs for sequential updates
Management of sequential data import jobs just got simpler! You can now group data import jobs together and assign dependencies so that import jobs are executed in a desired order. An entire group can be scheduled for data import refresh, or each job within the group can be executed manually for data refresh. Specific data refresh rules can be assigned to a group like ‘Stop if any query fails’ or ‘Skip any failed query.’
User interface improvements
Creating a Model against a data import connection just became easier. Navigate our ever-growing list of data import connections with ease using the Datasource Type Filter.
Digital Boardroom
Microsoft Windows App no longer required
Because of the Digital Boardroom’s full support of the Microsoft Edge browser, there is no longer a need for the SAP Digital Boardroom app on the Microsoft Windows store. The ability to quickly launch different boardrooms and stories is also now available from the SAP Analytics Cloud home screen.
Modeling
Convert Date and String-Based Time Dimensions into a Time Hierarchy
Convert a date or string-based time dimensions from a live HANA model into a time-hierarchy. Take advantage of time-hierarchy-related features such as Difference From calculations, trend series charts, and time range sliders for filtering in stories. Even if you do not have prior modeling in HANA, you can still consume time-based features.
Please note:
- String-based time dimensions need to have one of the following formats: YYYYMMDD, YYYYMM or YYYYQ.
- This feature is only for live HANA connections where HANA is on version 2.00.024.05 (EPMMDS 1.00.201815), 2.00.033.00 (EPMMDS 1.00.201816), or above. Also, the HANA MODEL DATE ENRICHMENT 1.0 DU must be downloaded from the SAP Service Marketplace and deployed.
Intelligent Enterprise
Show node above
Live connection to SAP BW now supports the BEx Query feature concept “show node above” in table or grid visualizations only. This displays the lower level nodes of a hierarchy from the above position, rather than below.
Data Visualization
Short vs. long scale formatting
Whether you like abbreviations or not, you are free to choose whether you want long (Thousand, Million, etc.) or short (k, m, etc.) scale formatting. Update your stories easily through your subscription’s configuration which is available under “System”> “Administration”. If you want to apply this change to only certain parts of the story, this widget-level configuration is available for tables, charts and geo maps. You can also format the scale of calculated measures as well.
Color geo bubbles by dimension
Enhance your geo bubbles with this new ability to create a bubble layer where the colors of the bubbles are determined by a dimension value. If a location has more than one dimension member, the bubble will be shown as a pie chart and an auto Top 5 per location is applied. This includes drill support for hierarchical dimensions.
Learn more about adding the bubble layer
Enhanced styling experience
Calling all story designers! The improved Styling Panel is here to make your life easier.
The manual styling experience has been simplified. We’ve reordered the styling option for all widgets, moving non-styling options (e.g. Actions, Explorer Properties, etc.) to the builder panel. This allows for contextual formatting on selected chart regions, such as the legend, and implements “Reset” for widget editing. Also, this maintains the open and collapsed space of styling options.
Want to see it yourself? Check out the screenshots below!
Learn more about styling
Truncate dimension labels in charts
With the ability to specify truncation to left, right or middle per dimension, story designers now have more control in ensuring charts are clear and easy-to-read.
Export to CSV from Explorer
In the quick action menu within Explorer, you are now able to directly export your data to CSV files. This can be achieved through both the Edit and View modes. If you decide to disable export to CSV within the modeler, this setting will be respected within Explorer.
Please note:
- The following features in the Data Visualization section require live HANA 2.0 versions 2.00.024.05 (EPMMDS 1.00.201815), 2.00.033.00 (EPMMDS 1.00.201816) or above
- Live connections to BW, S/4 HANA and Universes are not yet supported
Blending of live HANA 2.0 models with import data
Live HANA 2.0 models can now be blended with import models. This works for all features that are available today for blending scenarios, including out of context blending and blended calculations. To blend the two datasets, the aggregated data of the secondary model will be temporarily moved to the primary system. If the import model is the primary model, then the aggregated live HANA data will be replicated to SAP Analytics Cloud. We recommend that your favourite IT person sets up Smart Data Integration to enable this capability.
Learn more about creating a model from a live data connection
Measure-based page and story filters for live HANA 2.0
As a story designer, you can easily filter based on a measure range. Filters are evaluated logically at each level: story, page and widget. The result of the filter at the immediate level above impacts the data that is being filtered on the level below.
For example, you could “Show all countries with sales revenue over $10M which would have the following scope:
• Story and page filters
• Select existing measure to use (including calculated and restricted measures)
• Select one or more dimension as context for aggregation, e.g. county
• Select range and static values
Please note that blended models are not yet supported, and calculated dimensions cannot be used as context for measure-based filters.
Calculated dimensions for live HANA 2.0
Old school calculators, begone! You’re now able to use each calculated dimension like regular dimensions for charts, tables, filters or input controls for live HANA 2.0. This includes calculating dimensions by concatenating two dimensions, grouping members, and grouping measure values.
These are the new string calculations:
- Length: Returns the length of a string
- SubString: Returns a substring (of a specific length) of a string
- Like: Determines whether a character string matches a specified pattern
Please note:
- For ISNULL and NOT calculations, null values are now considered
Date interval calculation for live HANA 2.0
When building your stories, you now have more control with date intervals. In the Calculation Editor, you can create date difference calculations with max, min, average, and sum.
It doesn’t end here, though! You can also calculate different granularities such as year, quarter, month, weeks and even days.
Timestamp support for live HANA 2.0
Enhance your analysis for time series charts with the new timestamp dimension from live HANA 2.0. With the improved flexibility of applying fixed and dynamic timestamp filters, you can extract the most valuable information within a specific time frame.
Histogram for live HANA 2.0
Not only will your histograms easily convey comparative insights, they will do so in a visually compelling way! The histogram chart may be found under the "Distribution" chart group and works with one measure, one aggregation dimension, colour and number of bins.
Custom sort of dimension members in charts in live HANA 2.0
Want it done your way? We’ve added the ability to custom sort dimension members on charts. This only applies for dimension members but don’t worry, the table sort will come soon.
Custom sort is reusable within the story across charts. For hierarchical dimensions, you can only sort amongst siblings.
Additional resources:
- Video tutorials
- Guided learning
- Events and recordings
- SAP Analytics Cloud help resources
- Check out our Product Plan for more information on our future plans (subject to change)
Previous feature summary blogs:
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.16
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.15
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.14
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.13
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.12
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.11
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.10
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.09
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.08
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.07
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.06
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.05
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.04
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.03
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.02
- SAP Analytics Cloud release 2018.01
- More >
**Legal disclaimer
SAP has no obligation to pursue any course of business outlined in this blog or any related presentation, or to develop or release any functionality mentioned therein. This blog, or any related presentation and SAP’s possible future developments, products and or platforms directions and functionality are all subject to change and may be changed by SAP at any time for any reason without notice. The information in this blog is not a commitment, promise or legal obligation to deliver any material, code, or functionality. This blog is provided without a warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. This blog is for informational purposes and may not be incorporated into a contract. SAP assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document, except if such damages were caused by SAP’s willful misconduct or gross negligence.
All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions.
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