Restricting Characteristics 

Use

When defining a query, you can restrict characteristics to single characteristic values, value ranges, hierarchy nodes or characteristic value variables.

Prerequisites

You want to restrict a characteristic to one or more values in the query definition or when defining a restricted key figure. You have selected the characteristic and chosen Restrict from the context menu (right mouse click).

Procedure

When you select characteristics in the query definition, you can use the same functions as the F4 Help in the executed query. Select the Fixed value tabstrip and follow the notes in Selecting Filter Values.

The following functions are the same:

Note that here, all values are displayed that are available in the master data table, that means, all values, for which there are data records in the InfoCube. No restriction is carried out on values with display authorization.

You can choose from the following additional functions in the query definition:

Selecting variables

When you select characteristic values in the query definition, you can also select variables instead of fixed values. These act as benchmarks and are only filled with fixed values when the query is executed.

Selecting single value variables

  1. Choose single value in the top left area of the selection field and (flat list) as hierarchy.
  2. Select the Variables tabstrip.
  1. Select one (or, in exceptional cases, more than one) variable from the list of available variables displayed in the left-hand window, and drag the variable(s) into the Selection box on the right (alternatively, use the pushbutton with the arrow pointing to the right to move the values).

Selecting value range limits

  1. Choose value range from the top left of the selection field, and the operator that you want to use (top right).
  2. Select the Variables tabstrip.
  1. If you have chosen the operator between, first select both the upper and lower interval limits from the list of available variables displayed in the left-hand window and drag them using drag and drop (or using the arrow pointing to the right) in the Selection window on the right-hand side of the screen.

If you choose one of the operators is greater than or equal to, is less than or equal to, is greater than, or is less than, select a value from the list of available variables in the left-hand window, drag it across, and drop it into the Selection window on the right (alternatively use the button with the arrow pointing to the right to move the variable across into the Selection window).

Selecting intervals with variables and a fixed limit

  1. In the top left corner of the selection field, choose value range and between as operator.
  2. Select the fixed limit on the tabstrip Fixed Values.
  3. Select the variable limit on the tabstrip Variables.
  4. Finally, choose the arrow button pointing to the right.

Selecting intervals whose upper and lower limits refer to the same variable

  1. In the top left corner of the selection field, choose value range and between as operator.
  2. Select the required variable from the Variables tabstrip and drag it into the Selection box on the right (or use the arrow icon pointing to the right).
  1. Now specify offsets for the upper and lower limits. (see below: Selecting variable offsets)

Please note that you cannot combine other values, hierarchy nodes or variables with a variable of the type Selection option or Query variable.

Selecting variable offsets

You can only use this function for characteristic value variables of the type single value.
  1. Select the required variable in the right-hand window.
  2. Choose variable offsets from the context menu (right mouse click). This brings you to the dialog window Entering variables offsets.
  3. Enter the required offset.
  4. Choose OK.

You want to select the period of the last 5 years for evaluating your data.

Selecting fixed/variable hierarchies/hierarchy nodes

You can also restrict characteristics by hierarchy or hierarchy node, on a fixed or variable basis. See Restricting Characteristics: Hierarchies

Direct entry

You cannot use this function if you want to restrict the characteristic. You cannot make a direct entry when you are selecting structure elements (for example, key figures) or values from a hierarchy.
  1. In the entry field (bottom left) specify a characteristic value in external format.

    2. Instead of characteristic values in external format, you can also enter variables in the form of &<variable name>& (ampersand (&) at the beginning and at the end of the entry, and without blank spaces).

  2. Choose the button with the arrow pointing to the right.

The system checks whether this value exists. If the value does not exist, you get a warning. However, you can still use the value in the variable.

Note the following conventions for making entries for value ranges and intervals:

Value range: <operator><value>, for example, >= 1995

Intervals: <lower limit>;<upper limit>, for example, A01; B99

Interval with a variable limit, for example &VAR&; 2000

Result

You have now restricted a characteristic by certain characteristic values. Choose OK. You return to the query definition. Save your entries and execute the query.

If you have restricted a characteristic to a variable value, before the query is executed, a dialog box appears for you to enter variable values manually (provided that the variable is flagged as ready for input in the variable maintenance). Enter the required values and choose OK. The query is now executed with the chosen values.

The query is created according to your selection conditions. The selected characteristic values are displayed in the filter cells, on the right, next to the corresponding characteristic. Only the characteristic values you selected are included in the results area.

 

See also:

Creating Queries with Variables