To analyze or plan business data, you define BI applications for the users. To do this, you need various Business Explorer objects. This section provides an overview of the BEx objects and outlines how you can work with them.
This overview does not yet include information about all relevant BEx objects.
A query consists of a selection of characteristics and key figures (InfoObjects) to analyze the data in an InfoProvider.
Queries are the basis for BI applications on the Web (BEx Web applications) or in Microsoft Excel (BEx Analyzer workbooks). You can also open queries directly in the default view in BEx Web Analyzer or BEx Analyzer and execute them for data analysis or planning purposes.
More information: Working with Queries
A filter specifies a multidimensional subset of data from a dataset.
To be able to use this predefined subset of data in other queries, in Web applications, or in workbooks, you can save filters as reusable objects.
More information: Working with Filters
Variables are parameters of a query that are filled with values when you execute the query or Web application. They serve as placeholders for characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, texts, and formula elements, and can be processed in different ways.
In BI Integrated Planning, variables are used to parameterize a query, a planning function, a filter, a characteristic relationship or a data slice.
More information: Working with Variables
A structure forms the basic framework of the axes in a table (rows or columns). It consists of structural components. We differentiate between key figure structures and characteristic structures.
More information: Working with Structures
Calculated key figures consist of formula definitions containing basic key figures, restricted key figures, or precalculated key figures.
Restricted key figures are key figures that are restricted by one or more characteristic selections.
More information: Working with Calculated and Restricted Key Figures
A query view is a modified view of the data for a query or an external InfoProvider.
Query views are used as data providers for BEx Web applications, BEx Analyzer workbooks, or enterprise reports.
More information: Working with Query Views
Data providers are objects that provide data for one or more Web items at the runtime for BEx Web applications.
More information: Working with Data Providers
In the Web Application Designer, save Web items that you have integrated into a Web template and adjusted to suit your needs (by setting the Web item parameters) as reusable Web items. You can insert reusable Web items into other Web templates.
More information: Working with Reusable Web Items
Using broadcast settings, you specify how you want to precalculate and broadcast Web templates, queries, query views, reports, and workbooks.
More information: Working with Broadcast Settings