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Process documentationCreation of a Data Matrix Locate this document in the navigation structure

 

You can create a new data matrix as a data entry form or report by defining the settings that are valid for the whole matrix. You can create more than one matrix in a single worksheet. For an example of how to create a data matrix, see Data Reporting/Data Entry Matrix.

Prerequisites

  • You have created an Interactive Excel workbook based on the delivered SAPExcelWorkbook.xltm template.

  • If you want to use master data and control parameters from the target or source environment, that is, the consolidation area in Business Consolidation (SEM-BCS), as proposals for the definition of characteristic values, you must log on to the appropriate SAP system.

    Note Note

    You can define a matrix without using proposals originating from that existing master data and control parameters. However, you must specify additional definitions; therefore, this manual procedure is more complex.

    End of the note.

  • You have selected an aspect for the matrix.

    An aspect determines the source or target environment for the matrix data. In the context of Business Consolidation (SEM-BCS), this means the consolidation area from which you want to import data into reports (source environment) or the consolidation area to which you want to store the data entered in the data matrix (target environment), and whose master data and control parameters you want to use for the matrix definition.

    If Enterprise Controlling Consolidation (EC-CS) is used as the backend system, the CS aspect is always used.

    Note Note

    You cannot change an aspect after it has been selected for a matrix.

    End of the note.

    Your selected aspect is used as the default for further matrices, which you process with Interactive Excel, until you change the aspect.

Process

  1. You create an initial matrix.

    To do this, click   Data Matrix   New  .

  2. You specify the global settings.

    For information, see, Making Global Settings for a New Data Matrix.

  3. You specify global characteristic values.

    • You can specify single values or set aggregations as characteristic values for a matrix header. To do this, you can use master data and control parameters in the source/target environment (that is, the consolidation area) as proposals.

    • If a characteristic value is valid for an entire matrix, you can mark it as a constant. The value is set in the background, and the characteristic is no longer available for definition, thereby reducing the number of characteristics that are listed.

    • You can find out which characteristics are set as a constant and undo this setting at any time. For more information, see Making Global Settings for a New Data Matrix.

    • If a particular characteristic is irrelevant for your matrix, you can mark it as a constant without assigning a value. It will then be inactive and no longer offered for selection.

    • If you subsequently change a characteristic value in a report matrix when Interactive Excel is connected to a database, the matrix is automatically refreshed with the appropriate database data.

  4. You create further matrices.

    You create further matrices in the same way as you create the initial matrix. When you create further matrices, the global characteristic values set for the initial matrix are automatically proposed for the header data of the new matrix. This minimizes the effort required for defining two or more matrices with similar or identical header data.

    You select the values that you want to copy. A value is selected when the field to its left is selected. After you confirm your selections, a dialog box opens where you define other global settings.