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Author's profile photo Joyal Laj

Data Import Methods in Import Data Connections – SAP Analytics Cloud

In SAP Analytics Cloud, there are different Data Import methods in Import Data(Data Acquired) Connection.

When we schedule/refresh an import(data acquired) model, how does the new data import work? If we edit a dimension in the SAP system, will it add as a new row in the data model? or will it edit and update the dimension in the previous row? Let’s find out.

Import Methods

There are four import methods available. You can select the appropriate import method. In this blog, We are trying to convey the working of these four import methods.

Go to Data Management tab in the model. In the Import Jobs section, find the Import Settings.

Import%20Settings

Import Settings

When we click the Import Settings, we will find the different Import Methods.

Import%20Methods

Import Methods

Now let’s understand more about these Import Methods.

  • Update
    •  Strategy 
      • Records for existing tuples present in the new data with new values – Overwrite records
      • Old records with no match with tuples in the new data – Retain record
      • New records which do not match with any of the tuples – Include record

Update Method – Example

  • Append
    • Strategy
      • Records for existing tuples present in the new data with new values – Retains both records and aggregate
      • Old records with no match with tuples in the new data – Retain record
      • New records which do not match with any of the tuples – Include record

Append Method – Example

  • Clean and replace selected version data

    • Strategy
      • Records for existing tuples present in the new data with new values – Retain only new record
      • Old records with no match with tuples in the new data – Ignore records
      • New records which do not match with any of the tuples – Include records

Clean and replace selected version data – Example

  • Clean and replace subset of data

    When selective delete and load is to be performed, clean and replace a subset of the data should be used.

    You can add dimension(s) to the scope.

    • Strategy
      • The list of members in the new import is taken
      • Records in the existing model containing the list of members matching the new import data for the dimension (specified in the scope) is dropped
      • The records in the new import are added to the data model

Let’s see three different use case of defining scope and how it works during new data import:

    • Dimension – Bike Type is defined in the scope
    • Dimension – Model Year is defined in the scope
    • Both Dimensions – Model Year and Bike Type are defined in the scope

 

Conclusion: Hope all of you got a better understanding about the different Data Import methods in the Import Data Connection in SAC. All the details provided in this blog is based on my experiences. Please feel free to point out mistakes and suggestions through comments.

 

References:

https://visualbi.com/blogs/sap/sap-analytics-cloud/sap-analytics-cloud-importing-new-data-existing-model/

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      12 Comments
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      Author's profile photo Martijn van Foeken
      Martijn van Foeken

      Hi Joyal,

      Great contribution, especially around the option to clean and replace a subset of data. Keep up the good work!

      Kind regards,

      Martijn van Foeken | Interdobs

      Author's profile photo Joyal Laj
      Joyal Laj
      Blog Post Author

      Hi Martijn van Foemen,

       

      Thanks for the kind words and support. Will try to write more as I come across different scenarios. 

       

      Regards,

      Joyal Laj

      Author's profile photo Vijay Kumar Ajarla
      Vijay Kumar Ajarla

      Best Blog. Very clearly explained. Even a 10th class guy can understand.

      Author's profile photo Marisol Antonieta Cruz Vega
      Marisol Antonieta Cruz Vega

      Great and clear explanation. Thanks for sharing

      Author's profile photo Joyal Laj
      Joyal Laj
      Blog Post Author

      Marisol Antonieta Cruz Vega Happy to share my knowledge!

      Author's profile photo Viswanathan T R
      Viswanathan T R

      Hello Joyal Laj,

      Good article. Import side, we are these options and it is clear.

      But, i have an issue while exporting Plan data from SAC to S/4Hana OP. Everytime, i export, the data is getting appended. New entries are added for the same field values. Company code, Ledger, Period, Cost center etc. Is there any option to overwrite the data

      Author's profile photo Keith Fisher
      Keith Fisher

      Hi Joyal,

      thanks for this explanation - do you have anymore detail on the update method, such as how the system recognises an updated row? How does it differentiate it from just being a new row, is there a key generated somehow?

      thanks

      Keith

      Author's profile photo Narendra Gowda
      Narendra Gowda

      Hi Joyal,

       

      Thank you for the detailed explanation.

       

       

      Thanks,

      Narendra

      Author's profile photo Vijay B
      Vijay B

      Hi Joyal,

       

      First of all thanks for the clear explanation about the import settings in SAC.

       

      Here I have a requirement.

      In Clean and Replace Subset of Data, we can define scope. For instance, as you did that Model Year is in Scope. Suppose there are more than one year 2018, 2019, and 2020 in the newly imported data. I need to do delta load only for 2018, rest other years data must not be changed.

      Data is from Redshift (Cant do delta load there).

       

      Thanks,

      Vijay B

      Author's profile photo Raheel KHAN
      Raheel KHAN

      fantastic blog

       

      Thank you

      Author's profile photo Yan Gerzon
      Yan Gerzon

      Hi,

      Thanks for the detailed explanation.
      How about performance? Are there big performances differences between the different methods?

      Author's profile photo Irina Gina Avram
      Irina Gina Avram

      Hi,

      I have the same question as Keith, on the update method - how do you set up the key for the update process?

      Thanks,

      Gina