What's new in the Information Design Tool User Guide

The new SQL parameter NO_NULL_YIELDS_IN_SUBQUERY has been added to the SQL Generation Parameters list. When set to YES, SQL scripts are generated ensuring fields with non NULL values are included for filters based on a subquery. The default value is NO.

NO_NULL_YIELDS_IN_SUBQUERY

Changed note to explain that derived tables for SAP HANA views containing an SAP HANA optional input parameter are not supported.

The new SQL parameter PREVENT_QUERY_WITHOUT_MEASURE has been added to the Query Script Parameters list. When set to YES, queries that don't contain at least one measure are prevented from running on an OLAP data source.

PREVENT_QUERY_WITHOUT_MEASURE

You can now set dynamic default values as user input for a prompt by defining a formula for a parameter. You define the formula from the Set default values section of the Parameters and Lists of Values tab in the Data Foundation Editor.

Dynamic default values for prompts can be based on Number, String, Date, or Time functions, for example, CurrentDate(), DatesBetween(date1, date2) , ToNumber (FormatDate (CurrentDate ();"yyyymm")), ToNumber (FormatDate (CurrentDate ();"yyyy")) for the current year or period. This is very useful for users that want to analyze reports or data views on the current time period.

Inserting and editing a parameter

SAP HANA input parameters in a data foundation can now accept multiple values if the Multiple Entries option for the input parameter is selected in SAP HANA Studio.

About input columns in the data foundation

You can manually enter values for certain types of BEx variables when refreshing a BEx query in the Query panel.

Corrected a documentation error in reference to SQL-92 ANSI.

Enhanced query stripping method for relational universes.

An application preference that lets you change the default state for joins in existing contexts when joins are added to the data foundation. You can also choose to use the new default behavior when adding contexts.

For connections to Oracle data sources using JDBC middleware, a configuration parameter Query Timeout that lets you modify the number of seconds before a query times out.

Added information on how to use analytic functions in the information design tool, including examples.

A federation layer in multisource-enabled data foundations. The federation layer lets you create federated tables that can include data from any of the data source connections defined in the data foundation.

Enhancements to relational universes on SAP HANA, including support for SAP HANA variables, and a wizard to automatically create a data foundation and business layer based on selected SAP HANA information models.

The Universe Landscape Migration plug-in, which lets you to migrate existing relational universes to SAP HANA.

Help for new information design tool users, including a welcome page, a cheatsheet to help create an OLAP universe, and a New Universe wizard.

About the New Universe wizard

Columns can be hidden in standard tables in the data foundation (supports features in new data sources).

You can override the default delimitation for column names in the data foundation.

You can enter empty values for input columns in the data foundation with character data type.

You can filter by table type or information model (SAP HANA connections) when inserting tables into the data foundation.

You can filter by column name when editing joins.

Wildcard searches in the data foundation connection panel are now supported.

You can filter by information model in the data foundation connection pane.

Dimension attributes in the business layer can be index aware.

Added information on index awareness.

You can define attributes for measures in OLAP business layers.

Query stripping is available for relational and OLAP universes.

You can share custom display formats for business layer objects between business layers.

You can create a custom ordering of objects such as parameters and lists of values.

Command to turn measures or dimensions into attributes in the business layer.

Command to turn dimensions or attributes into measures in the business layer.

You can drag and drop table columns to create dimension and attribute keys in the business layer.

Connections for OData data sources.

Connections for XML and Web Services data sources.

Direct access connections for SAP HANA for SAP Crystal Reports for Enterprise.

Additional SAP HANA connection parameters for relational and direct access.

Login parameters for OLAP connections

Additional relational connection parameters for SAP BW.

Security profile setting for OLAP replacement connections.

Enhanced join support and naming of business layer objects for relational universes on SAP ERP.