The Variables Screen 

Use

You can fill variables - parameters of a query - with values when the Web application is displayed in the Web browser using the variable screen. You can assign the following types values in the variable screen:

·        Variable types for characteristic values

A characteristic value variable is the placeholder for a single value, an interval, or a set of selection options.

·        Variables for hierarchy nodes

You can only enter hierarchy nodes as single values.

See Using Variables.

You can personalize the values for individual components or for the entire Web application. This means that you assign a certain value to a variable. The variable has this value until you cancel the personalization. See Personalizing Variables in Web Applications.

Prerequisites

At least one of the queries on which the Web application is based must contain variables.

Procedure

Entering Values for Variables

In the Variables window, you can give values to the variables. If your Web application contains more than one query, the variables screen is divided into several areas with one area for each query. Within these areas the input options for the variables depend on the variable type.

Entering Characteristic Value Variables:

·        To enter a single value, enter the value in the input field following the characteristic ID. To enter more than one single value, choose New Row. Another row for entering a single value is displayed.

·        To enter an interval, enter the lower limit of the interval in the first input field after the characteristic ID and the upper limit of the interval in the second input field.

·        When entering a selection option you have various options for assigning a variable values:

-         Define a single value

a.       From the dropdown box select the operator = and enter the value.

b.       Do not change the Include setting.

c.       To enter more than one single value, choose New Row. A new input row appears.

-         Define a value range

a.       In the dropdown box choose the operator [] to define an interval and enter the lower limit of the interval in the first input field and the upper limit of the interval in the second input field.

b.       Alternatively you can select one of the operators <, <=, >, >= from the dropdown box and enter the upper or lower limit of the value range in the first input field.

c.       Do not change the Include setting.

d.       To enter more than one value range, choose New Row. A new input row appears.

-         Exclude single values and value ranges

¡        Describe the single value or value range (see above)

¡        Change the include setting to exclude in the dropdown box.

¡        To exclude more than one single value or value range choose New Row. A new input row appears.

Mandatory variables are marked with (*).

Choose  to select the values using the value help. You can also search in the input help according to values. You can find additional information about searching according to values under Select Filter Value in the Search Filter Values section.

Entering Variables for Hierarchy Nodes:

·        To assign values to the variables for hierarchy nodes you must make your entry using the value help (  ). Select a hierarchy node in the Value Help dialog.

For hierarchy nodes entries must be forced using the value help because values that are entered manually might not be unique.

If Text and Key or Key and Text is set in the InfoObject maintenance, Tab Page: Business Explorer under the Key layout, hierarchy nodes are offered in the value help in the Text / Key layout. Otherwise only hierarchy node texts are displayed.

 

To check values that were entered manually for consistency, choose Check.

To display the Web application with the entered variable values, choose Execute.

By clicking on the pushbuttons All Variables and Free Variables, you change the view from displaying all variables to display only the non-personalized variables. See Personalizing Variables.