Linking Story Variables

If your story has variables from more than one model, you can link variables so that changing one variable updates the data from multiple models.

Context

For example, you may have a story that displays data from an Employee_Salary model and an Employee_Performance model, each with separate variables for Time and Country. When these variables are linked, both models show data for the same prompt values for Time and Country.

When setting story variables, linked variables are identified by the icon. Hover over this icon to see which variables are linked. When you change the prompt values for this variable, the new values are applied to all the linked variables.

Procedure

  1. Open the story and select Edit.
  2. In the Data area in the toolbar, select (Edit Prompts) and select Link Variables.

    The Link Variables window appears. If any links already exist for the story, they are displayed. Select Start a new variable link to create your own.

  3. In the Select a model lists, choose the two models with variables that you want to link.
    For models based on live data connections, the following restrictions apply:

    • Models based on live data connections to SAP HANA can link to other SAP HANA live data models, or to models based on imported data.

    • Models based on live data connections to SAP BW can only link to other SAP BW live data models.
    • Models based on live data connections to an SAP Universe do not support variable linking.

    A list of variables for each model appears.

  4. Select a variable from the list for each model to create a link.
    Select variables that meet the following conditions:
    • The variables have the same selection type.
    • The variables have the same value format.
    • If one variable has hierarchical values, the other variable must be hierarchical as well.
    • For intersecting links, the variables share at least one common value.
    Note

    Values for intersecting links are matched based on their ID, not their description. To see the IDs, select Start of the navigation path Next navigation step Data SamplesEnd of the navigation path for one of the models and choose ID or ID and Description. Then hover over the ellipses next to the variable values to see a list:

    Showing IDs for variable values

    If you’re creating an intersecting link between variables that have hierarchical values, the link only includes values at the top level of each hierarchy.

    The variables appear in the Matched Variables list. A successful link shows a check mark and an unsuccessful link shows an X icon. Hover over this icon to see the reason for the unsuccessful link.

  5. Continue selecting variables as necessary to create further links.

    To change a link, you can select the icon next to one or both variables to remove them.

  6. For each successful link, select to change the type of link:
    • All data (default): All prompt values that exist in either model are available.
      Note
      The All data link type is not supported for SAP BW models.
    • Intersecting data only: Only prompt values that exist in both models are available.
  7. Select Set.
  8. In the Set Variables window, choose values for the linked variables, and select Set.

    The Link Variables window appears, showing an overview of the existing links. You can edit or delete existing links, or create new ones.

  9. To return to the story, select Done.
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