Get Started with 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.

A data action is created based on a planning model, and consists of one or more steps that are carried out on a public or private version of the target model.

Adding Steps to Data Actions

There are a few general steps to set up and run data actions. The following types of steps are available:

  • 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. To learn how to create a copy step, refer to Adding a Copy Step.

  • 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. To learn how to create a cross-model copy step, refer to Adding a Cross-Model Copy Step.

  • 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. To learn how to add an allocation step to data actions, refer to Adding an Allocation Step.

  • 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 predictive and publishing steps.) To learn how to create an embedded data action step, refer to Adding an Embedded Data Action Step.

  • Conversion step: For models with measures, conversion steps let you copy between measures while applying currency conversion. To learn how to create a currency conversion step, refer to Convert Currencies in a Data Action.

  • 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. To learn how to create an advanced formula step, refer to Add Advanced Formulas to Your Data Action.

Adding Parameters

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.

Running Data Actions

When you have finished adding steps for the data action, it can be set up to run it in a few different ways:

Managing Data Actions

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
Create a data action Select (Create a new data action in the designer.).
Find existing data actions

  • Search : Search for the name, model, or user who created or changed the data action.

  • : Sort the list by one of the columns.
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).

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