Get to Know Data Actions for Planning
Data actions are a flexible planning tool for making structured changes to model data in SAP Analytics Cloud, including copying data from one model to another.
Data actions are designed by modelers and then run by planners in stories or analytic applications, or scheduled to run in the calendar.
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Copy step: This type of step copies data within a model based on a set of rules, filters, and aggregation settings. For example, you can use it to copy data from 2018 to 2019.
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Cross-model copy step: With this type of step, you can copy data from a different source planning model based on a set of filters and automatic or manual mapping between dimension members. For example, you can bring together data from headcount and expense planning models into a central finance model.
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Allocation step: This type of step lets you run an allocation step as part of your data action. It allocates values from a source dimension to a target dimension by driver values, or by direct assignment. For example, an allocation step can help allocate overhead costs to different departments. To learn more, see Learn About Allocations.
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Embedded data action step: With this step, you can run another data action as a step in your data action. For example, you can quickly reuse a common set of steps in several different data actions, or multiple times within a single data action. (Multi actions are also available to run multiple data actions in sequence, along with publishing steps.)
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Conversion step: For models with measures, conversion steps let you copy between measures while applying currency conversion.
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Advanced formulas step: Each step lets you create a script of transformations and calculations to apply to the data within defined scopes of the target model. Some formulas from the Modeler are supported, as well as additional advanced formulas. They let you carry out planning and simple consolidation tasks like cash flow planning, accounts receivable planning, and carry forward operations. You can build simple advanced formulas using the visual editor, or get full control using a script editor.
You might want to quickly update a value or change a member in several different places throughout a data action, or allow a user to set their own values when they run the data action. In this case, you can use parameters for those values.
There's always a default parameter for the target version, but you can add others that represent either numbers or dimension members. To learn how, see Add Parameters to Your Data Actions and Multi Actions.
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Using a data action trigger in a story or analytic application: Run Data Actions, Multi Actions, and Allocations
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Scheduling it in the Calendar: Schedule Data Actions in the Calendar
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Using a script object in an analytic application: Using Data Actions Technical Object
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Running a multi action that contains the data action, using a trigger in a story or analytic application: Run Data Actions, Multi Actions, and Allocations
Select (Data Actions) from the side navigation to show the data actions start page, which lets you view and manage all the data actions that you have access to.
Task | Description |
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Create a data action | Select (Create a new data action in the designer.). |
Find existing data actions |
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Edit a data action | Select a row in the list. |
Copy a data action | Select the checkbox next to a data action and choose (Copy the selected data action) |
Delete data actions | Select the checkboxes next to the data actions and choose (Delete selected data actions). |
Refresh the list | Select (Refresh list). |
- Create a Data Action
- Adding a Copy Step
- Adding a Cross-Model Copy Step
- Adding an Allocation Step
- Adding an Embedded Data Action Step
- Convert Currencies in a Data Action
- Add Advanced Formulas to Your Data Action
- Add Parameters to Your Data Actions and Multi Actions
- Run Data Actions, Multi Actions, and Allocations