Analysis Pattern
Definition
The analysis pattern is a schema for easy-to-use BEx Web Applications which are intended for users with basic BW knowledge. These applications can be used for easy ad hoc analysis of business data. The analysis pattern is also known as the Web Analyzer in the context of the portal.
Structure
The analysis pattern allows you to perform ad hoc analyses of business data on the Web. The various analysis options are provided both in the toolbar and as function links. In the main screen area for the pattern, the data is displayed in a table, graphic, or both, depending on the setting. The navigation area is the area to the left of the pattern.
The following figure is a schematic outline of the analysis pattern:
Functions of the Analysis Pattern
The main functions for ad hoc analysis are outlined below:
Application Toolbar
Pushbutton |
Function Description |
New Analysis |
Use this pushbutton to create a new ad hoc analysis by first selecting a data provider on which to base your analysis. You can select data providers from a BW system or from a non-SAP data source. You make this selection in the upper dropdown box of the dialog box. Data providers from the BW system: Data providers of this type can be queries, query views, or InfoProviders, which you can select from the history, favorites, roles, or InfoArea views. In one of these views, select the required data provider and choose OK. The data is displayed in the way specified in the Display As dropdown box. Data providers from a non-SAP system: Data providers of this type are query views or InfoProviders, which you can select from the InfoArea view. In this view, select the required data provider and choose OK. The data is displayed in the way specified in the Display As dropdown box. |
Open |
You can open saved ad hoc analyses from your favorites or the BEx Portfolio view. |
Save As… |
You can save the result of your ad hoc analysis with an appropriate name in your portal favorites or in the BEx Portfolio. This saves the type of data display (table, graphic, table and graphic) in addition to the navigational state of the data. To access the saved result of your ad hoc analysis again, choose Open. To save the navigational and drilldown state of the data as a new query view, choose Save View in the context menu of the Web application. You can use this query iView as a data provider for other BEx applications. |
Display As |
Using the dropdown box next to Display As, you specify the type of display for the data. You can choose from the following options for displaying the data: ● in a table ● in a graphic ● in a table and in a graphic |
Information |
You can use this pushbutton to display information about the selected data provider. You can display information about the key date, how up-to-date the data is, the time of the last change, the person who last changed the query, and the date of the last refresh. |
Send |
Using this pushbutton, you can start the Broadcasting Wizard and use the information broadcasting functions. You can broadcast your ad hoc analysis. For more information, see Broadcasting BEx Applications with the Broadcasting Wizard. |
Print Version |
You can use this pushbutton to make settings for a print version of your ad hoc analysis. For example, you can specify the format for the print version and decide whether a header should appear on the printed pages. When you have made your settings and chosen OK, a PDF is generated. You can print the generated PDF document. More information: Printing BEx Applications |
Export to Excel |
You can use this pushbutton to export the query result to Microsoft Excel. The query data is displayed in the same way as queries in BEx Analyzer (the Business Explorer analysis tool integrated into Microsoft Excel): You see the filter restrictions and the data in the table. Exceptions are highlighted in color the same as on the Web. You can continue to edit the data using the Microsoft Excel functions. For more information on the BEx Analyzer functions, see Power User Guide under Enterprise Reporting, Query, and Analysis. |
Comments |
You can use this pushbutton to create comments for the data provider. More information: Use of BW Documents in BEx Applications. |
Function Links
Filters
Using this link, you can display the filter pane. The characteristics you can use for filtering are displayed in the filter pane. You can enter characteristic values to be used for filtering for each characteristic used in the data provider.
For information on the Settings function, see Power User Guide under Enterprise Reporting, Query, and Analysis.
Using the Analysis Pattern
After you have selected a data provider (Query, Query View, InfoProvider), the data is displayed in a table with a navigation area in the left area of the pattern. In addition to the functions listed above, you can also use the following options:
● Drag and Drop
You can drag characteristics and key figures to or remove them from an axis (rows or columns) in the table. You can swap the axes in the navigation area by dragging them. The table changes accordingly. You can also drag characteristics to the filter area so you can filter the table according to these characteristics and change the drilldown.
● Context Menu
You can use the context menu for the table for further navigation and analysis functions. For example, using functions in the context menu, you can display existing documents in the cells or create a comment for a specific cell. More information: Context Menu Functions.