Ad-hoc Query Designer (SAP Library - Enterprise Reporting, Query, and Analysis)

Ad-hoc Query Designer

Definition

A Web item that enables you to create and change queries in a Web application on an ad-hoc basis.

Use

You can use the This graphic is explained in the accompanying text Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item in the Web Application Designer to structure Web applications in which you create or change queries. The Web item is as a tool for designing ad-hoc queries in a Web environment.

In particular it enables you to:

· Create queries by assigning characteristics from an InfoProvider to rows, columns, filters, and free characteristics, and including key figures from the InfoProvider in the key figure structure of the query.

· Restrict or filter key figures and characteristics

· Use predefined key figure structures and restricted or calculated key figures in the query

· Set or change query properties and key figure/characteristic properties in the query

· Create or change conditions and exceptions

When compared with the BEx Query Designer, the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item has the following restrictions when creating or changing queries:

· You cannot integrate variables into the query directly.

However, you can use variables in reusable structures, or restricted or calculate key figures, which are used in the Ad-hoc Query Designer

· The query can contain only one structure. This structure has to be the key figure structure and be in the rows or columns of the query.

- You cannot use key figures or key figure structures in the filter.

- You cannot define exception cells, since this requires two structures.

Caution

You cannot create the following objects using the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item:

- Reusable structures

- Reusable restricted key figures

- Reusable calculated key figures

- Local calculated key figures

You can create local, restricted key figures using the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item.

Note

You can edit existing queries in the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item, if the queries adhere to the restrictions laid out above The Ad-hoc Query Designer checks these requirements when loading a query. If the query is too complex, the query can be loaded into the Ad-hoc Query Designer but you cannot change it there. You then receive the appropriate message. You can still check and execute the query.

Structure

In addition to its general attributes, the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item has the following attributes:

Attributes

Description

InfoProvider Name (INFOCUBE)

Technical name of the InfoProvider used to start the Ad-hoc Query Designer.

Double-click on the empty value cell next to the attribute InfoProvider Name. The BEx Open dialog box appears. Select the InfoProvider that you want to use from your history or from the complete list under InfoAreas.

Name of Query (QUERY)

Technical name of the query used to start the Ad-hoc Query Designer.

Double-click on the empty value cell next to the attribute Name of Query. The BEx Open dialog box appears. Select the query from your history, favorites or roles of from the complete list under InfoAreas.

Template for Output (TARGET_TEMPLATE_ID)

optional

Name of the Web template used to display the query result.

Double-click on the empty value cell next to the attribute Template for Output. The BEx Open dialog box appears. Select the Web template from your history, favorites, roles, or the list of workbooks.

Note

If you do not specify a Web template, the default Web template is used.

Frame for Query Output (TARGET_FRAME)

optional

Frame in which the query is displayed when executed.

If you specify a frame, the query output is controlled within this frame. Otherwise the query is displayed in a new browser window.

Prerequisites for specifying a frame:

You have created a frameset in an external HTML editor or manually (in Notepad).

Action on Execution

(ON_EXECUTE)

You can use this attribute to determine what happens to the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item in the Web Application after clicking on the Execute pushbutton in the Ad-hoc Query Designer.

The following options are available:

· No change to the item

The query is executed.

No change is made to the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item.

· Item is hidden

The Ad-hoc Query Designer disappears when executing the query.

If you want to open the Ad-hoc Query Designer again, while using the standard Web template, click on This graphic is explained in the accompanying text in the symbol toolbar.

If you are using a different Web template, you need to install the option of calling up the Ad-hoc Query Designer again manually in the Web template.

· Item is collapsed

The Ad-hoc Query Designer is collapsed when executing the query. You now see the Web item with a collapsed arrow and title.

If you want to open the Ad-hoc Query Designer again, use the arrow to open it.

Action on closing

(ON_CLOSE)

You can use this attribute to determine what happens to the Ad-hoc Query Designer Web item in the Web Application after clicking on the Close pushbutton in the Ad-hoc Query Designer.

The following options are available:

· No change to the item

During closing the query is closed in the Ad-hoc Query Designer. The individual fields (rows, columns, filter, free characteristics) are now empty. There is no change to the Web item itself.

· Item is hidden

The Ad-hoc Query Designer disappears when closing.

If you want to open it again in the standard Web template, click on This graphic is explained in the accompanying text in the symbol toolbar.

If you are using a different Web template, you need to install the option of calling up the Ad-hoc Query Designer again manually in the Web template.

· Item is collapsed

The Ad-hoc Query Designer is collapsed when closing. You now see the Web item with a collapsed arrow and title.

If you want to open the Ad-hoc Query Designer again, use the arrow to open it.

Display Data Provider (DISPLAY_DATA_PROVIDER)

optional

Data provider through which you want to display the query in the current Web template after you have executed it.

Specify the name of the DataProvider with which you want to display the query in the Web template. When you double-click on an empty value cell next to the Data Provider Display attribute, a dropdown box containing a list of the data providers available appears.

Note

If you specify DISPLAY_DATA_PROVIDER but not TARGET_FRAME or TARGET_TEMPLATE_ID, when you execute the query the display data provider specified is replaced in the current Web template.

Note

If you do not specify the optional attributes DISPLAY_DATA_PROVIDER, TARGET_FRAME and TARGET_TEMPLATE_ID, the query results are displayed in a new browser window in the Structure link Standard Web Template for Ad-hoc Analysis.

Integration

You can work with all queries in the BEx Query Designer, regardless of the tool with which they were created.