Defining Variables with the Variable Wizard 

Use

The variable wizard takes you through the process of defining a variable step-by-step.

Procedure

Each individual step is context-sensitive and is adjusted according to the combination of variable and processing types used. This means that the variable wizard only offers the selection options that are permitted for that combination of variable and processing types. For more information, see Overview of Variable Types and Processing Types.

Introduction

The first dialog step in the variable wizard explains that you can define variables as placeholders instead of using fixed values. These placeholders are then filled during the query runtime.

If you do not want to see this step in the future, select Do not display this step in future.

General Information

The second dialog step shows the type of variable. You determine the type of variable by calling up the variable wizard in a specific context. If you have chosen, for example, New Variable in the context menu of a characteristic value, then Characteristic Value is shown automatically in the variable wizard as the variable type. For more information about context-sensitivity in the variable wizard, see Using Variables: The Variable Wizard and the Variable Editor.

...

       1.      Enter a variable name and a description for the variable.

The variable name is the technical name of the variable and has to be unique across all queries.

       2.      In the Processing by field, choose the processing type for the variable. Depending on the type of variable, only the processing types that are relevant for this variable type appear for you to choose from in the dropdown box. For more information, see Variable Processing Types.

       3.      In the Characteristic field, select the InfoObject on which the variable is to be based.

As standard procedure, define variables on the basic InfoObject . You are also able to select the InfoObject that references the basic InfoObject, and define the variable on that InfoObject, by using the dropdown box.

The ability to define variables both on the basic InfoObject and on derived InfoObjects permits a higher level of reusability for variables. Because InfoSets contain many InfoObjects with the same basic InfoObject, it makes sense to define variables on the basic InfoObject particularly when using InfoSets as the InfoProvider for the query.

In your BW system you have defined the characteristic CUSTOMER and have derived a further characteristic from this: MANUFACTURER. Both characteristics have the same variables. When you create new variables you can choose whether the variables are to reference CUSTOMER or MANUFACTURER.

Both the variables that were created for MANUFACTURER and the variables that were created for CUSTOMER are listed in the left-hand selection box of the query designer InfoProvider object under the characteristic MANUFACTURER.

The following dialog steps are context-sensitive:

Depending on the variable type and processing type that you have chosen, the relevant dialog step appears. This is where you can make the necessary settings.

·        Details

·        Default Values

·        Replacement Path

·        Characteristic

·        Currencies and Units

Saving Variables

In the last dialog step, you get a summary of the settings for the variable.

Choose Exit. The system saves the variable and closes the variable wizard.

Result

You have defined a variable. The changed variable can now be used in all queries.