Query Design: BEx Query Designer
Use
You analyze the dataset of the BI system by defining queries for InfoProviders using the BEx Query Designer. By selecting and combining InfoObjects (characteristics and key figures) or reusable query elements (such as structures) in a query, you determine the way in which you navigate through and evaluate the data in the selected InfoProvider.
Integration
The following figure illustrates how the BEx Query Designer is integrated into the function landscape and tool landscape of the Business Explorer:
Features
The BEx Query Designer provides the following functions:
● You can use the queries that you define in the BEx Query Designer for OLAP reporting and for enterprise reporting. For more information, see Enterprise Reporting.
● You can parameterize the queries by using variables for characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, texts, or formulas. For more information, see Variables.
● You can select InfoObjects more precisely by:
Restricting characteristics to characteristic values, characteristic intervals, and hierarchy nodes. For more information, see Restricting Characteristics.
Defining reusable calculated and restricted key figures (see Defining Calculated Key Figures and Defining Restricted Key Figures)
Using local or reusable structures (see Structures and Creating Reusable Structures)
The most significant components of the query definition are the filter and navigation:
● The selections in the filter restrict the whole query. When defining the filter, you select characteristic values from one or more characteristics or from a key figure. All of the InfoProvider data is aggregated using the filter selection of the query.
● For the navigation, you select user-defined characteristics and determine the content of the rows and columns of the query. You use this selection to specify the data areas of the InfoProvider through which you want to navigate. The arrangement of row and column content determines the initial view for the query.
After being inserted into a workbook, a query is displayed in the default initial view in the portal or in the BEx Analyzer. By navigating through the query, you can generate different views of the InfoProvider data; you can do this by dragging one of the user-defined characteristics into the rows or columns of the query, for example, or by filtering a characteristic according to a single characteristic value.
Defining a query allows the InfoProvider data to be evaluated specifically and quickly. The more detail you use to define the query, the quicker its execution and navigation.
Activities
To open the Query Designer, choose Start → Programs → Business Explorer → Query Designer.
You can also call the BEx Query Designer from the following BEx tools:
● BEx Analyzer
● BEx Web Application Designer
● BEx Report Designer
See also: