Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
• Explain how to use advanced Web Intelligence functions
• Create a Web Intelligence document with advanced functions on an universe
Business Example
You decided to use SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence as ad hoc reporting tool for your business users. You need a comprehensive overview of advanced functions of Web Intelligence.
Using Advanced Functions in SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence
SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence is a query, reporting, and analysis tool that allows you to access the data in your corporate databases directly from within SAP BusinessObjects BI Launch Pad and to present and analyze this information in a Web Intelligence document.
As you edit your reports in Web Intelligence documents, several functions are available to help you structure and enhance your reports so that they show exactly the information you need in the clearest way possible.
Using Breaks
Breaks allow you to structure the data in a table into groups and make the data easier to view and interpret. You apply breaks on the data and values that you select.
When you apply a break, Web Intelligence separates all the data for each unique value of the selected variable. It inserts a blank row or column after each value, which allows you to easily insert subtotals for the group of data.
As a long table can be tedious to read and understand, you can apply breaks to the table. The data becomes much clearer and simpler to read.
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Figure 59: Using Breaks in a Web Intelligence Document
Note: When you insert a break on a dimension, the values for the dimension are automatically sorted in ascending order.
Using Calculations
Web Intelligence provides standard calculation functions to help you make quick calculations on the data in your reports. The following standard calculations are available:
Using calculations
Calculation Description
Sum Calculates the sum of the selected data.
Count Counts all rows for a measure object or count distinct rows for a dimension or detail object.
Average Calculates the average of the data.
Minimum Displays the minimum value of the selected data.
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Maximum Displays the maximum value of the selected data.
Percentage Displays the selected data as a percentage of the total.
The results of the percentage are displayed in an additional column or row of the table.
Note: Percentages are calculated for the selected measure compared to the total results for that measure on the table or break. To calculate the percentage of one measure compared to another measure, you need to build a custom calculation.
Default Applies the default aggregation function to a standard measure, or the database aggregation function to a smart measure.
When you apply standard calculations to table columns, the calculation results appear in footers. One footer is added for each calculation.
If standard calculations are not sufficient for your needs, you can use the formula language to build custom calculations. A custom calculation is a formula that can consist of report objects, functions and operators. Formulas have a calculation context that you can specify explicitly if you choose. For example, you can show the average revenue per sale using a custom calculation: You have a report with Sales Revenue and Number Sold objects. To add revenue per sale to the report, the calculation [Sales Revenue] / [Number Sold] gives this value by dividing the revenue by the number of items sold in order to give the revenue per item.
Grouping Information with Sections
Sections allow you to split report information into smaller, more comprehensible parts. For example, you can group quarterly revenue results into sections on a report.
The grouped value appears as a header outside the block instead of remaining within the block when you are using breaks.
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Figure 60: Grouping Information with Sections
Using Sorts
You can apply sorts to the results displayed in tables, to organize the order in which results are displayed in a column or row.
You can apply sorts to any dimensions, measures, or details displayed in a table.
Sorting dimensions and details helps you organize results chronologically, while sorting measures helps you see highest or lowest results at a glance.
Sorts in Web Intelligence allow you to apply the following orders:
• Default
This is sometimes referred to as the “natural” order. Depending on the type of data in the column or row, the results are sorted as follows:
– Ascending numeric order for numeric data – Ascending chronological order for date
– Ascending alphabetical order for alphanumeric data
• Ascending
• Descending
• Custom
You define your own sort order. Custom sorts allow you to define your own order for the data displayed in a report. For example, to display the month names in chronological order, you can apply a custom sort.
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Figure 61: Apply a Custom Sort in Web Intelligence
Using Input Controls
Input controls provide a convenient, easily accessible method for filtering and analyzing report data. You define input controls using standard windows controls such as text boxes and radio buttons. You associate these controls with report elements such as tables or section headers, and use the controls to filter the data in the report elements. When you select values in the input control, you filter the values in the associated report elements by the values you selected.
You can also define tables and charts as input controls. When you select a value in the table or chart, you filter the values in the associated report elements by the values you selected.
You can use input controls to analyze different scenarios by changing the value of variables. You define a variable with a constant value, then assign an input control, for example a slider, to the variable.
You can then change the value of the variable using the slider control; if the variable is part of a formula, you can use the slider control to examine different formula results based on the variable value. Input controls are report-specific.
They are grouped on the Input Controls tab on the Left Pane.
Formatting Reports
You can use the Format toolbar to format tables and charts in your Web Intelligence document. For example, you can select a background color for your table or a single cell, adjust the font size, or define alternate row and column colors..
The Page Setup toolbar allows you to modify the layout of your document.
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Highlighting Data Using Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting enables you to highlight results or change formatting based on data. You can, for example, conditionally format results to highlight particularly high or low results with specific colors or with text comments, such as
“High Performer” or“ Low Performer” .