Variables
Variables are parameters of a query that you defined in Query Designer and are filled with values when you execute the query or Web application. They serve as placeholders for characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, texts and formula elements. They can be processed in various ways.
Theprocessing type determines how a variable is filled with a value for the runtime of the query or Web application.
There are differenttypes of variables depending on the object that you want to define variables for. These types specify where you can use the variables.
Variables are reusable objects. This means that when you define a variable for a query in Query Designer, this variable can be used in all other queries. Variables are not dependent on the InfoProvider, only on the InfoObject. A variable that you define for an InfoObject is available in all InfoProviders that use this InfoObject.
Variables enable you to customize queries flexibly (parameterize the query). If you use variables in Query Designer, do not select any fixed characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, texts, or formula elements. Set up variables as place holders instead. These are then filled with values during query runtime (when you insert the query into a workbook, when you refresh the workbook or when you execute the query on the Web. You can use one query definition as the foundation for many different queries if you use variables.
You want to create one query for all the people responsible for customer groups, who each only evaluate the data for one customer group. In Query Designer, you insert a variable for the Customer Group characteristic. Before the query is executed, decide for which customer group(s) you want the query to be executed.
Query Designer contains the Variables Editor for designing and changing variables. You make the settings on tab pages. These are context-sensitive and are adjusted according to the combination of variable and processing types used. This means that the Variables Editor only offers the selection options that are permitted for that combination of variable and processing types. More information:Defining Variables.
In the Variable Properties dialog box in the Properties screen area, you can change the various settings of an existing variable. More information:Variable Properties.
In BW Integrated Planning, variables are used to parameterize a query, a planning function, a filter, a characteristic relationship or a data slice. For BW Integrated Planning, as well as the Variables Editor in Query Designer, a Variables Wizard and a Variables Editor are available in the Planning Modeler and in the Planning Wizard. More information:Variables andEditing Variables.