Using the Selection of Structure Elements

You can use the query property Use Selection of Structure Elements to ensure that data is read only for exactly the structure elements that are being read. This means that the drilldown characteristics can display fewer attributes.

Context

The Use Selection of Structure Elements option influences system performance. This function should therefore normally be activated.

Example

Table 1: Example of a Simple Query Without Selection
Country	Sales Volume (DE)	Sales Volume (US)
DE	50
US		60

Table 2: Query with Selection on Structure Element "Sales Volume (DE)" Without Selection of Structure Elements
Country	Sales Volume (DE)
DE	50
US

Table 3: Query with Selection on Structure Element "Sales Volume (DE)" and Selection of Structure Elements
Country	Sales Volume (DE)
DE	50

Technically speaking, the system only passes to the database the selections and key figures of the columns (or structure elements, to be more precise) that are required to determine the filtered elements. This means that cells that only exist because of non-selected structure elements are not displayed.

Structure elements with constant selection are an exception, as they do not create any objects (see Object Generation). If the selection contains a structure element with constant selection, data for further structure elements outside the selection are requested.

Example

Table 4: Example of a Simple Query Without Selection
Country	Sales Volume (Constant Country Selection)	Sales Volume (DE)	Sales Volume (US)
DE	300	50
US	300		60

Table 5: Query with Selection on Structure Element "Sales Volume (Constant Country Selection)" and "Sales Volume (DE)" and Selection of Structure Elements
Country	Sales Volume (Constant Country Selection)	Sales Volume (DE)
DE	300	50
US	300

If you deactivate this function, the data is read for the entire structure or for both structures from the database. This function therefore can also not be activated if the query has read mode 'A' (see Read Mode).

You can expect a significant improvement in performance from using this function in the following scenarios:

You are using the SAP HANA database or the SAP BW Accelerator.
You are using queries that contain a large number of selections or restricted key figures, which are not all displayed in the initial drilldown.
You execute a lot of operations where you filter using selections or restricted key figures, such as the "Filter and Drill Down By" function.

Deactivating this function does not normally bring any advantages.