Microsoft Excel Integration 

This variant describes how business experts can run complex analyses on BI data and use Microsoft Excel functions at the same time. In the Business Explorer (BEx), the Analyzer – a design and analysis tool built into Microsoft Excel – is available for this purpose. With the BEx Analyzer, BI data can be presented and analyzed interactively in the Microsoft Excel environment.

Data binding in the BEx Analyzer is provided by queries, query views, or InfoProviders. BI data can thus be analyzed in different ways and inserted in a Microsoft Excel workbook. Using the open dialog, business experts can select queries, query views, or InfoProviders or call the BEx Query Designer to create new queries.

The layout and interaction of the workbooks can be adapted to suit user requirements. Formatting and formula functions from Microsoft Excel can also be used.

The workbooks that are created can be saved in favorites or made available to other users using the role concept.

Workbooks can also be precalculated and sent by e-mail to make them available to other user groups. Information broadcasting functions are used for this purpose.

Architecture of the Scenario Variant

The following figure provides an overview of the architecture:

Using the BEx Analyzer embedded into Microsoft Excel, you can interactively present and analyze BI data in a Microsoft Excel environment. Queries (query views or InfoProviders) that are created with the BEx Query Designer are embedded in workbooks for this purpose. Information broadcasting allows workbooks to be precalculated and sent by e-mail.

IT Processes of the Scenario Variant

The Microsoft Excel Integration scenario variant comprises the following IT processes:

Process	What You Need to Know...
Designing a Query	In this process, you generate queries for InfoProviders. You restrict the data to be evaluated in the InfoProvider by selecting and combining InfoObjects (characteristics and key figures) in a query. Defining queries allows you to evaluate the data in an InfoProvider quickly and specifically. Queries form the basis of the analyses and reports that you create with other tools in the Business Explorer.
Embedding Queries, Query Views and InfoProviders	In this process, you embed one or more queries (query views or InfoProviders), which you can use to analyze BI data, into a Microsoft Excel workbook. You can save workbooks in your favorites or use the role concept to make them available to other users.
Designing a Workbook	In this process, you create the workbook design. You can specify the layout and interaction of the workbook and access formatting and formula functions from Microsoft Excel.
BI User Interaction	In this process, users call workbooks in the Analyzer or in the portal and work with them. In this way, you analyze BI data, navigate in the workbook and distribute it to other users.