Working with Queries
Use
To analyze the dataset of the BI system, you can define queries. A query consists of a selection of characteristics and key figures (InfoObjects) for analyzing the data of an InfoProvider and specifies the navigation space in which users can navigate, as well as the initial view.
A query is always based on one InfoProvider, but multiple queries can be defined for an InfoProvider.
You specify the navigation space of the query by selecting the characteristics and key figures, and by defining the key figures and the characteristic restrictions of the filter.
You define a query in the BEx Query Designer by selecting InfoObjects or reusable query elements (such as structures) of an InfoProvider. You specify an initial view of the InfoProvider data by using filters, rows, columns, and free characteristics. The initial view describes which elements are in the rows and columns, and which elements are in the free characteristics and in the default values of the filter. In the initial view, you also specify various properties. For example, in the properties of a characteristic, you specify that the results rows are displayed. When you execute the query at runtime, you can change the settings of the initial view. In contrast, you can only change the navigation space in the BEx Query Designer.
Queries can be used to generate data providers in BI applications; they can also be opened directly in a default view in the BEx Web Analyzer or BEx Analyzer and can be executed to perform an analysis.
Prerequisites
At least one InfoProvider is available in the BI system.
Procedure
Defining Queries
In the BEx Query Designer, define queries based on InfoProviders.
More information: Defining New Queries
Saving Queries
Save the queries to your favorites or to your roles in the BEx Query Designer. To do this, choose Query → Save or Save As.
More information: Saving Queries
Displaying Queries
● To perform an ad hoc data analysis on the Web, display the queries in the BEx Web Analyzer. To do this, in the BEx Query Designer, choose Query → Execute.
More information: BEx Web Analyzer
● To perform the data analysis in the BEx Analyzer, choose Open → Open Query in the analysis toolbar or choose BEx Analyzer → Open Query in the menu.
More information: Analysis Functions
Publishing Queries
Publish the queries to make them available to other users:
● To publish a query to a role, in the BEx Query Designer, choose Query → Publish → To Role. The system saves a link to the current query in the selected role.
● To publish a query as an iView to the Portal Content Directory (PCD), in the BEx Query Designer, choose Query → Publish → To Portal.
More information: Publishing Queries, Web Applications, and Reports
Distributing Queries
Distribute the queries as precalculated documents or online links to the portal, by e-mail to other users, or to the printer for printing. You make the required settings in the BEx Broadcaster, which is a Web application for precalculating and distributing BEx objects.
Call the BEx Broadcaster from the BEx Query Designer by choosing Query → Publish → BEx Broadcaster.
More information: Precalculating and Broadcasting Queries, Query Views, Web Templates, and Reports
Using Queries
You can use queries as data providers for the following BI applications:
● To perform data analysis or planning in BEx Analyzer workbooks, use the queries as data providers for design items in the BEx Analyzer.
More information: Configuring Data Providers
● To perform data analysis or planning in BEx Web applications, use the queries as data providers for Web items in the BEx Web Application Designer.
More information: Creating Web Applications with the BEx Web Application Designer
● To display the data in a formatted report, also known as an enterprise report, use the queries as data providers in the BEx Report Designer.
More information: From the Query to the Report
Copying Queries
If you need to use a query in more than one InfoCube, copy it.
More information: Copying Queries Between InfoCubes
Deleting Queries
If you no longer require queries, delete them in the BEx Query Designer by choosing Query → Delete in the menu.
More information: Displaying and Changing Existing Queries in the Query Designer
Transporting Queries
To make queries available in various BI systems, transport them.
If the transport system is activated, a dialog box for specifying a transport request appears when you save the query. Enter the required transport request.
If a fixed standard BEx transport request is specified, the queries are automatically written to this request and the transport request dialog box is not displayed.
The technical name of the object type (TLOGO) for queries in transport requests is ELEM.
More information: