Using Variants

You can save defined prompt values as a variant for a query or for a document (workbook or presentation). The variants of a document can contain prompt values for different data sources. You can create a variant for your user (user-specific variant) or for all users (global variant). When you next open the workbook or query, you can apply your user-specific variants and all global variants. You can also change a variant by selecting different prompt values and saving the variant again. Variants can also be deleted.

You can create multiple variants, which allows you to choose different prompt values. Only one variant can be active at any one time however.

Variants are created and maintained in the prompting dialog. There are two different modes when working with variants. These are document mode for working with document variants and data source mode for working with query variants. An icon shows which mode is active. The currently active mode depends on the selection you made for workbook property Merge Variables on the Components tab in the design panel and on how you open the prompting dialog.

Working in data source mode

In data source mode, you see the variants for this query in the prompting dialog. If you create a new variant, it is always saved to this query. The following prerequisites apply for working with query variants:

Authorization object S_RS_PARAM must be maintained for the user in the SAP NetWeaver server so that the user can create a variant.
You open the prompting dialog with the context menu on the crosstab. The context menu for prompts is only available if workbook property Merge Variables is not selected.
Workbook property Merge Variables is not selected when a new query is inserted.

Working in document mode

In document mode, you see the variants for this workbook or presentation in the prompting dialog. If you create a new variant, it is saved to this document. The following prerequisites apply for working with document variants:

Authorization object S_RS_PARAM must be maintained for the user in the SAP NetWeaver server so that the user can create a variant.
The workbook is already saved on the SAP NetWeaver server.
You open the prompting dialog with the icon in the ribbon.
Workbook property Merge Variables is selected when a new query is inserted.