Use the Table Builder Panel (New Table Build Experience)
The table builder panel in SAP Analytics Cloud allows you to modify different features related to your table, including changing the data source, adding data elements to rows and columns, creating filters, and so on.
How to Open the Builder Panel
After you've added a table to your story in edit mode, the builder panel is opened automatically.
If you open an existing story, choose Edit, select the table you'd like to modify, and choose Right Side Panel.
Builder Panel Overview
The following diagram illustrates the available sections of the table builder panel.
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Data Source Information
When you hover over or select the data source name in the header section, a tooltip is displayed with the Data Source ID and Last Updated information. The tooltip also displays the description and file path under Data Source Details.
To change the data source, choose the (Select Model) button in the Builder panel.
For account models only: You can create links between dimensions across models. To open the Link Dimensions dialog, you can select (Link Dimensions) in the Tools section of the toolbar or Add Linked Models in the Builder panel. For more information on linking dimensions, see Link Dimensions Across Multiple Models.
The header section of the Builder panel containing the data source information stays fixed at the top of the Builder panel. Even as you scroll down the panel, you can still view this section at the top of it.
For more information on data sources, see Add Data to Stories.
Table Type
For analytic models, Cross-Tab is used as table type. For your planning model, you have two choices: a regular table (Cross-Tab) or a forecast table (Forecast Layout). For more information, see Create Forecast or Rolling Forecast Layouts in Tables.
Non-Aggregated List: You can choose this table type if you have an extended SAP HANA live connection. This table type shows non-aggregated data in a list view. For more information, see Use Non-Aggregated List Tables (New Table Build Experience).
Swap Axis
Choose (Swap Axis) to swap rows and columns in your table.
Rows and Columns
All dimensions and measures used to create the table are displayed in the Rows and Columns sections. You can add more dimensions or measures to your table, or rearrange the ones you already have.
Adding Objects to Rows or Columns
To add objects such as accounts, measures, or dimensions to your table, choose Add Dimension in the Rows or Columns section.
The following panel appears:
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Key |
Feature Description |
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1 |
This icon indicates that this is a version dimension. |
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2 |
This icon indicates that this is a date dimension. |
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3 |
This icon indicates that this is a generic dimension. |
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4 |
A dimension that has a hierarchy icon next to its name is a hierarchical dimension. For more information about working with hierarchies, see Show More Hierarchy Levels in Tables. |
There are sections for account input controls, accounts, dimension input controls, dimensions, and calculations.
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Create a calculated dimension by selecting Add Calculated Dimension
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Create a dimension input control by selecting Add Dimension Input Control
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Select dimensions that you want in your table
To close the panel, select any area on the screen outside this panel.
Editing Objects in Rows and Columns
When you hover over a dimension, you can select (Filter) to add or modify filters.
To make other modifications to the dimension, select (More) and then select one of the following options:
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Hierarchy:Choose a different hierarchy to display for the dimension. For example, you can choose to display different periods for the Date dimension. You can also select to flatten the hierarchy of a dimension (Flat Presentation). (This option is not valid for an Account dimension.)
Show only leaves in widget: use this feature to only show the leaf members of the hierarchy. For example, you can use this option while planning, if you want to enter data only at the leaf level of the dimension.
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Display Options: Show the member description, ID, or both the ID and description.
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Rename: Provide a customized description for a dimension in your table rather than using the default value.
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Show Unbooked Data: Show or hide unbooked data. When unbooked data is hidden, only cells in the grid that contain data are visible.
When you show unbooked data, the table is updated to include unbooked data for that dimension and any inner dimensions. A message appears stating that unbooked data has been switched on for dimensions below the selected dimension.
When you hide unbooked data, the table is updated to remove unbooked data from that dimension and any outer dimensions. A message appears stating that unbooked data has been switched off for dimensions above the selected dimension.
Above and below in the messages refers to how the dimensions are listed in the builder panel.
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Set Data Visibility per Member: Available for structure dimensions (Account, Measures, or Cross Calculations) to create an asymmetric table layout. Activate this setting to configure the data visibility of the inner dimensions (the dimensions that are located below the structure in the builder panel) per structure member. For more information, see Configure Data Visibility in Tables (New Table Build Experience).
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Data Visibility...: Select the hierarchy levels that should be visible in the table. You can also decide if you want to display the totals. For more information, see Configure Data Visibility in Tables (New Table Build Experience).
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Zero Suppression and Null Suppression: Show or hide zero and null values in a table.
For more details on zero or null suppression, see Hide Zero or Booked Null Values.
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Show Totals: Show the sum of the dimension values.
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Properties: Select multiple properties to display in the table in separate columns or rows.
Properties can be anything that has been defined in the model as a property:-
Properties can include currency, unit, geo, or some other generic content.
For more information on dimension properties, see About Dimensions and Measures.
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For a date dimension, properties could be the year or week.
For a user-managed date dimension, properties could include a specific holiday or some other time interval.
For more information on defining date properties in the model, see Maintain Properties in Date Dimensions.
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Settings for Rows and Columns
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Arrange Totals:
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For rows: Decide if you want to display the totals above or below the dimension value cells.
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For columns: Decide if you want to display the totals to the left or to the right of the dimension value cells.
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Arrange Parent Nodes:
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For rows: If you use a hierarchy, you can decide if you want to display the parent nodes above or below their descendants.
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For columns: If you use a hierarchy, you can decide if you want to display the parent nodes to the left or to the right of their descendants.
Tables with more than one dimension in the rows that display totals below the dimension value cells and parent nodes below their descendants display each member of the outer dimension at the top, aligned with the first row of the inner dimension group. For dimensions in the columns, the outer dimension members are displayed on the left, aligned with the first column of the inner dimension group. For more information, see Example Scenarios for Table Styling.
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Compact Display: (Only available for SAP BW queries) Activate this setting, if you want to show all dimensions of this axis in the drill down hierarchically. By doing so, a universal display hierarchy is created. If the underlying SAP BW query already contains a universal display hierarchy, the system automatically activates this setting. For more information about the effects of using universal display hierarchies in combination with certain table features, see SAP Note 3318521
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Zero Suppression: Activate this setting if you want to hide zero and null values.
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Null Suppression: Deactivate this setting if you want to show null values.
For more details on zero or null suppression, see Hide Zero or Booked Null Values.
Filters
All filters that have been applied to the table are listed in the Filters section of the tab, and in the table subtitle. If the underlying model is using categories and periods in the Date dimension, these are visible in the filters list and you cannot remove them. However, you can remove filters that have been added manually by choosing (Remove) next to the filter. To add more filters, choose Add Filters at the bottom of the list.
Filters are normally applied as restrictive filters (so that only the selected members are visible) but they can also be applied exclusively by selecting the Exclude selected members checkbox when you select the members; in this case, all members are included in the table except the selected items.
You can specify the visibility of each selected member and their child members by selecting (Create Visibility Filter), accessible when you hover over the filter token of the dimension, measure, or account. In the Set Invisible Filter Members dialog, select the filter members you want to hide from the table and confirm your selection. Invisible members do not appear in the table. However, unlike members that are filtered out of the table, their values are still aggregated to parent members and can be affected when a parent member is adjusted. You need to re-select the invisible filter members when you change the filter selection.
Filters for the Date Dimension
When you add the Date dimension to the rows or columns, you can specify the filter using further options. Choose (Filter) next to the Date dimension and select one of the following options:
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Filter by Member...: This option is essentially the same as the standard filter with checkboxes to select or exclude individual members of the hierarchy.
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Filter by Range...: Using this option, you can define time periods based on years, half-years, quarters, months, weeks, or days (depending on the time granularity defined in the underlying model) and apply the date range as a filter, so that only details in the selected time period are visible. It is also possible to define multiple range time filters and apply these together. You could use this for example, to compare the first two months of the year over a three year period by defining three separate ranges for months Jan–Feb for each of the three years. When these ranges are applied as a single filter, everything else except the selected periods is filtered out.
Ranges can be fixed or dynamic; for example, you could choose the fixed range January 2024 to December 2024. If this story is opened in 2025, the story will still show 2024 data. For dynamic date ranges, in addition to the above granularities, these granularities are also available: current year, current quarter, and current month. For more information, see About Story and Page Filters.
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You can also choose preset dynamic filters such as
Current 
Month
or Current & Next Quarter.
Table Add-Ons
The Table Add-Ons section lists configurations that you can add to your table.
This section contains the following features:
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Linked Analysis...: You can create a linked analysis for the widgets in your story. The selected table widget is the driver table of the linked analysis. For more information, see Set up Linked Analysis.
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Threshold...: You can add thresholds to measures in tables, including calculated and restricted measures. For more information, see Use Thresholds in Tables (New Table Build Experience).
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Add In-Cell Chart: You can add a small bar chart or a variance chart to each cell of a measure. For more information, see Add In-Cell Charts to Tables (New Table Build Experience).
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Hyperlink...: You can add a hyperlink to another story or page, or to an external URL. For more information, see Linking to an External URL or to Another Page or Story.
Reporting
There is a Reporting section on your Builder panel if your table is on a canvas page. In this section, there is an option called Auto-Size And Page Table Vertically. If you select this option, your table will expand or shrink automatically. If necessary, the application will split the table over multiple pages to fit the content.
For more information, see Use Pagination in Stories.
Planning
Planning Enabled: Allows table cells to be edited. When not selected, the entire table is set to read-only.
When planning is enabled for a table, the following options will be available:
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Option |
Description |
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Fluid Data Entry Mode |
To have a smoother data entry experience for your table, you can use fluid data entry mode instead. In this mode, data values entered in a fast sequence will be processed together at the same time as a batch; you don’t need to wait for the system to update between entries. |
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Single Data Entry Mode |
Processes data immediately after each new data entry. |
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Mass Data Entry Mode |
Adding multiple values to a table can be time-consuming if you have to wait for the system to update the data source after each entry. This feature provides an editing session that allows you to enter multiple values before processing the updates. |
For more information, see Entering Values Directly and Entering Multiple Values in a Table.
Data Security: Depending on the settings for your model, you may have the options to refine the data security settings at the table level in the Builder panel based on data locking, validation rules, and data access control.
Regardless of the data security settings at the table level, changes to data restricted by data locking, validation rules, or data access control will always be rejected when you publish data.
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Data Locking:
When data locking is enabled in model preferences, data locking-based input enablement and data locking-based data disaggregation (if the model setting for data locking-based disaggregation has been enabled) are active. Accordingly, if the data locking toggle is disabled, no data locking-based input enablement or data disaggregation are applied.
Enabling this option changes which cells you can edit depending on whether Data Disaggregation based on Data Locking is also enabled.
An overview of how this behavior influences cells:
Data Security based on Data Locking
Model Preferences for Data Disaggregation based on Data Locking
Result
Enabled
Enabled
You can edit open and mixed cells. Locked cells are read-only. Disaggregation based on data locking will be applied.
Enabled
Disabled
You can edit open cells. Mixed and locked cells are read-only. Disaggregation based on data locking will not be applied.
Disabled
Enabled/Disabled
You can edit open, mixed, and locked cells. Data disaggregation based on data locking will not be applied. The next validation for data locks will happen only when the changes are published.
You can also use the Enforce / Ignore Data Locks option from the context menu to control the data security options in the table.
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Validation Rules:
When the model has at least one activated validation rule, you can select to enable or disable Validation Rules in Data Security. This option is enabled by default.
When the model has no activated validation rules, Validation Rules will be automatically disabled and can't be turned on in Data Security.
Data Security based on Validation Rules
Model Preferences for Data Disaggregation based on Validation Rules
Result
Enabled
Enabled
Invalid unbooked cells are read-only.
Invalid booked cells are input-enabled. You can delete the values of such cells, and deletion of values is not prevented when you publish the data. When you change the values of such cells, changes will be immediately reverted.
Disaggregation based on validation rules will be applied.
Enabled
Disabled
Invalid unbooked cells are read-only.
Invalid booked cells are input-enabled. You can delete the values of such cells, and deletion of values is not prevented when you publish the data.
Disaggregation based on validation rules will not be applied.
Disabled
Enabled/Disabled
Invalid cells are input-enabled.
Disaggregation based on validation rules won't be applied.
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Data Access Control:
When at least one dimension has data access control turned on in the model settings, Data Access Control in Data Security is enabled by default.
When no dimensions have data access control turned on in the model settings, the option is disabled by default and can't be turned on.
Data Security based on Data Access Control
Model Preferences for Data Disaggregation based on Data Access Control
Result
Enabled
Enabled
Cells you don't have write access to are read-only. Other cells are input-enabled.
Disaggregation based on data access control will be applied.
Enabled
Disabled
Cells you don't have write access to are read-only. Other cells are input-enabled.
Disaggregation based on data access control won't be applied.
Disabled
Enabled/Disabled
Cells you don't have write access to are input-enabled.
Disaggregation based on data access control won't be applied.
Display Data Based on Data Security: When you enable Validation Rules, Data Access Control, or both in the Data Security section of the Builder panel for a table, you can decide how the data will be displayed based on these data security settings. Selecting No Restrictions means no special restrictions apply to the display of unbooked and booked data. Choosing Hide Unplannable Unbooked Data hides unbooked data that can't be planned. This may occur due to validation rules (invalid member combinations) or data access control (lack of write access).
Recommended Planning Area: Enabling Auto-generate based on the table context allows you to use the recommended planning area. This keeps the data you're working with at a manageable size and increases performance. For more information, see Planning and Optimize Planning Models Using the Planning Area.
Properties
Comments
Allow Data Point Comments: select whether to allow data point comments to be added on a table. For more information, see Add Comments to Data Cells in Tables.
Intersecting Client Calculations Priority
When you add calculated rows and columns to your table (client calculations), you may have situations where the client calculations intersect. The system can't resolve the client calculation in the intersecting cell and displays a diagonal line instead of a value.
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Unresolved: By default, no row or column priority is set. However, even when you choose a different priority you can change back to Unresolved at any time.
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Columns Override Rows: Uses the calculated column value.
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Rows Override Columns: Uses the calculated row value.
For more information about client calculations, see Create Client Calculations in Table Cells (New Table Build Experience).
Table Structure
Classic Display of Outer Dimension Members:
By default, tables with more than one dimension in the rows that display totals below the dimension value cells and parent nodes below their descendants display each member of the outer dimension at the top, aligned with the first row of the inner dimension group. For dimensions in the columns, the outer dimension members are displayed on the left, aligned with the first column of the inner dimension group. For more information, see Example Scenarios for Table Styling.
If you have defined styling options for outer dimension members, these styling options might not be applied with the default behavior. To resolve this, you need to redefine the styling options. Alternatively, you can resolve the issue at short notice by activating Classic Display of Outer Dimension Members. Note that this setting is only available temporarily. In the long term, you need to redefine the styling options for the outer dimension members.
View Mode
Enable Data Analyzer: Select to allow Data Analyzer to be opened from the table's action menu. For more information, see Data Analyzer.
Enable Excel Add-in: Select to allow the SAP Analytics Cloud Excel add-in to be opened from the table's action menu. For more information, see the add-in help at Add a table from Story.
Enable Quick Builder: Select to allow a simplified builder panel to be opened from the table's action menu. The quick builder lets story viewers quickly change which dimensions and measures (or accounts) are displayed in the table. They can swap axes, rearrange the objects (dimensions, measures, or accounts) in rows and columns, add other objects, or remove them. Additionally, they can modify the dimensions (by selecting a different hierarchy or display option, for example) and define settings for rows and columns (by arranging totals or parent nodes). For more information, see Use the Quick Builder (New Table Build Experience).
Disable Interaction: Disables any interaction with the widget in view mode, such as filtering and showing tooltips. This option is available when you've enabled advanced mode.
Data Refresh
Choose a data refresh option to improve the efficiency of retrieving and update data on widgets after they are initially loaded in view time. The options are available when you've enabled advanced mode.
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Always Refresh (default)
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Refresh Active Widgets Only: Under this mode, you can avoid unnecessary data refresh. Visible widgets refresh, while data refresh for invisible widgets is automatically paused except when they're called by specific fetch data script APIs.
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Always Pause: No data refresh takes place in view time, including initial loading.
For more information, refer to Use Pause Refresh Options and APIs.