Activating Virtual Time Hierarchies 

Use

You can use this function to release hierarchies for time characteristics with which you want to work in reporting. You can choose the hierarchies you want to use from a list of suitable hierarchies for a time characteristic. The selected hierarchies are then made available for you in reporting.

The hierarchies for time characteristics are not saved in the database tables, but generated virtually in the main memory. Hence, the reason they are called Virtual Time Hierarchies.

Procedure

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       1.      In the SAP Reference IMG, choose ® BI Customizing Implementation Guide ®  Business Intelligence  ®  Reporting-Relevant Settings  ®  General Reporting-Settings  ®  Set F4 Help and Hierarchies for Time Characteristics / OLAP Settings.

       2.      Choose the Virtual Time Hierarchies tab page.

In the left-hand area, you can see the active time characteristics in the system (such as date, month, calendar month, and fiscal year/period), for which hierarchies have been made available in characteristic maintenance.

       3.      Choose the required time characteristic using the button (for example, date).

In the upper screen area, you can see the hierarchies suitable for the time characteristic.

       4.      Select the required hierarchies by double-clicking on them or using Drag&Drop to move them into the lower-right screen area.

The hierarchy tree symbol   shows that the selected hierarchies are active and listed in the lower area.

       5.      You can now select the start level for the activated hierarchies in the lower screen area, and enter short, medium, and long descriptions.

With the start level, you determine the level to which the hierarchy is expanded in the opening drilldown.

If you do not enter a description, the system creates one automatically.

       6.      Choose  Save.

Result

You have activated virtual time hierarchies and can now use them in the Query Designer for reporting.