Working with Filters

A filter specifies a multidimensional subset of data from a dataset.

Filters are used in reporting, analysis, and planning to restrict data to a certain business sector, product group, or time, for example. By taking a subset of a dataset in this way, you can ensure that users or user groups only have access to the data that is relevant for them. You can also ensure that only certain data areas are visible to them within an application scenario.

You can save filters for reuse in other contexts.

You can create multiple filters for an InfoProvider. To do this, you can use BEx Query Designer (for reporting and planning applications), Planning Modeler and the Planning Wizard (for planning applications). In Planning Modeler or the Planning Wizard, you can define filters on aggregation levels only.

At least one InfoProvider is available in the BW system.

To create a filter and use it in BW-Integrated Planning, you need an aggregation level.

More information:Aggregation Level

Define Filter

Define the filters in BEx Query Designer or, in the case of planning applications, in Planning Modeler or the Planning Wizard.

Two areas are displayed for filter selection. The first area is the fixed filter pane (in BEx Query Designer, this is the Characteristic Restrictions area to the left), which cannot be changed by users at runtime, with the exception of the selection of new variable values. The second area is the dynamic filter pane (in BEx Query Designer, this is the Default Values area to the right).

1. Drag the required characteristics, one or more characteristic values, or a key figure to the fixed filter pane. You can further restrict the characteristics by using single values, value ranges, hierarchy nodes, and variables. These characteristic restrictions determine the selection of data for a filter.

   More information:Restricting Characteristics

2. In the dynamic area, specify the values that are to be used as the default values for the filter pane or for a dropdown box in a Web application or workbook for example. By specifying these values, you set the initial filter state for the query to be executed.

   Using the filter, you can save these default values as reusable objects. Users can change the default values at runtime by choosing Change Filter Values and changing the values in the input help dialog.

Saving Filters

Save the filters either locally or for reuse in other contexts (such as queries, Web applications, or planning functions).

• In BEx Query Designer, save the filter locally by saving the query.
• In BEx Query Designer, save the filter for reuse. To do this, in the context menu for the filter, choose Save Filter and enter a technical name and a description for the filter.
• In the Planning Modeler, always save the filter for reuse. To do this, choose Save on the Filter tab page in Planning Modeler.

Reusing Filters

You can use reusable filters in the following contexts:

• To restrict other queries with a reusable filter, drag the required filter in BEx Query Designer from the InfoProvider screen area to the Filter screen area.
• To fill filter elements such as dropdown boxes in BEx Web applications with a predefined set of data, use the filter for initializing data providers of type Filter (SELECTOR_DATA_PROVIDER) for these Web items (such as dropdown boxes, radio button groups, and so on) in BEx Web Application Designer.

  More information:Working with Data Providers

• To fill filter elements such as dropdown boxes in BEx Analyzer workbooks with a predefined set of data, the procedure is not the same is for BEx Web applications. For workbooks, the only type available for data providers is Query. You therefore first need to create a query containing just this filter. Using this query as the data provider, you can fill the filter elements (dropdown boxes, and so on) in a workbook with a predefined set of data.

Deleting Filters

If you no longer require reusable filters, delete them.

• In the InfoProvider screen area in BEx Query Designer, select the reusable filter and choose Delete in the context menu.
• On the Filter tab page in the Planning Modeler, choose Delete.

Transporting Filters

To make filters available in various BW systems, transport them.

If the transport system is activated, a dialog box for specifying a transport request appears when you save the filter. Enter the required transport request.

The technical name of the object type (TLOGO) for filters in transport requests is ELEM (ELEM.SOB).

More information:

Transporting BW Objects

Transporting BEx Objects

More Information

BEx Query Designer:Filter

Planning Modeler:Filters