Configuring Data Providers

A data provider is an object that provides data for one or more design items. Data providers have the same navigational state as a query at a particular point in time. The start view of a data provider corresponds to a query or query view, or can refer to an InfoProvider. By navigating through the data, you subsequently change the status of the data provider. When you configure data providers, you can decide whether to retrieve the saved view or the view created after navigating in the BEx Analyzer (Restore Initial Query View on Refresh).

After you insert a design item in the BEx Analyzer, you then create a data provider, assign a query or query view to it, and base your design item on the data provider. Every design item is based on a data provider. You can base different design items on different data providers in the same workbook.

Data provider information is configured in the properties dialog boxes for each design item. From there, you can call dialog boxes in which you can create and change data providers.

Dialog Boxes for Design Item Properties

Data Providers

Select the data provider on which the design item is to be based from this dropdown box. This dropdown box lists all data providers that have been created in the workbook.  If no data providers have yet been created, the dropdown box is empty. You must create a data provider first.

Create Data Provider

Choose this button to call the Create Data Provider dialog box, in which you can create and configure a new data provider.

Change Data Provider

Select a data provider using the Data Providers dropdown box, and choose this button to call the Change Data Provider dialog box, in which you can change the settings for this data provider.

Delete Data Provider

Select a data provider using the Data Providers dropdown box, and choose this button to delete it.

Create Data Provider and Change Data Provider Dialog Boxes

Data Providers

This field displays the name of the data provider that is currently selected. This name is assigned automatically, and follows the naming convention DATA PROVIDER_N, where N is incremented with each data provider created.

Query/Query View

This field displays the name of the query or query view assigned to the data provider. The start view of the data provider corresponds to this query or query view.

InfoCube

This field displays the name of the InfoCube in which the query or query view is located.

Provide Results Offline

Set this indicator to save the result set in the workbook.

Use this option if, for example, you are working in formula mode and want to view the data in your result set without having to connect to the server. Otherwise, formula errors may be displayed when you open the workbook. SeeWorking in Formula Mode.

Restore Initial Query View on Refresh

Set this indicator to retrieve the original navigational state saved in the query or query view on the server for this design item when you open the workbook. If this indicator is not selected, the current navigational state, as it appears in the BEx Analyzer after you have navigated and changed the view, is saved when you save the workbook.

Display Technical Names/Do Not Display Technical Names

Choose this button to toggle the display of technical names for the query, query view, and InfoCube.

Assign Query/Query View

Choose this button to call the Open dialog box, in which you can navigate and select the query or query view to assign to the data provider. SeeThe Open Dialog.

Delete Assignment of Query/Query View

Choose this button to remove the query or query view assigned to the data provider.

To create a data provider, proceed as follows:

1. Insert a design item and access its properties (seeInserting Design Items).
2. In the design item properties dialog box, choose Create Data Provider.
3. In the Create Data Provider dialog box, choose Assign Query/Query View. Navigate to the required query or query view, and choose OK. (For more information, seeThe Open Dialog).
4. Configure the settings for Provide the Result Offline and Restore Initial Query View on Refresh as required, and choose OK.
5. In the design item properties dialog box, choose OK.

To change a data provider, proceed as follows:

1. Access the properties for a design item (seeInserting Design Items).
2. From the Data Providers dropdown box, select the name of the data provider you want to change.
3. Choose Change Data Provider. Configure the data provider in the Change Data Provider dialog box as required, and choose OK.

To delete a data provider, proceed as follows:

1. Access the properties for a design item (seeInserting Design Items).
2. From the Data Providers dropdown box, select the name of the data provider you want to delete.
3. Choose Delete Data Provider.

The data provider is deleted. You must assign a new data provider to this design item. For more information about deleting design items, seeDeleting Design Items.

More Information:

• Inserting Design Items
• Working in Formula Mode
• Save