With the BEx Map that is integrated into the BEx Analyzer, you can prepare and analyze data that has geographical relevance. The geo-relevant data is displayed on a map, so that you can see regional features and geographical connections at a glance.

The BEx Map is part of the BEx Analyzer, and appears in a new worksheet in the workbook. The size of the BEx Map corresponds to the initial size of the workbook.

In the BEx Analyzer, you have to execute a query containing at least one geo-relevant characteristic, meaning that the query contains at least one InfoObject (characteristic) that has been defined as a static geo-InfoObject in the InfoObject maintenance, and for which data with geographical relevance exists.

The BEx Map allows you to analyze regional features at different levels of detail. The basic concept underlying the BEx Map, is that of laying different map layers, each containing various geographical data, one on top of the other, and displaying at them on one map. A map layer behaves in the same way as a transparent slide, which can be changed from visible to invisible. For every map layer, you can choose various types of graphical presentation (Renderers) to display your data, for example, color shading, bar charts or pie charts. You can arrange the map layers hierarchically, for example, continents ® countries ® states ® districts, and navigate from one map layer to the next.

Choosing various renderers to display your data, also means that you can display several key figures on a single map layer, for example, as bar charts and color shading.

Execute a query that has geo-relevant data. Choose Layout ® Attach Map from the BEx standard toolbar. A new worksheet appears in the workbook with the name of your query in the title line.

The BEx Map consists of the following parts:

In the map design area (left) you define the navigation state for the query that you want to see on the map. Here, you can specify the map layer on which you want to navigate, and set the key figures that you want to display.

The maps are displayed in the chosen setting in the map view area (middle). Using the symbols from the BEx Map toolbar, you can pan, zoom in and zoom out, and determine the sequence of the map layers. The buttons found under the map, display which map layers are visible, and allow you to display and remove the different map layers quickly.

The legend (to the right) helps to explain the data displayed on the map. The legend gets its values from the query, and adjusts itself dynamically to the current navigational state.