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Procedure documentation Working with Variables  Locate the document in its SAP Library structure

Use

Variables are parameters of a query that you defined in the BEx Query Designer and 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.

The processing type determines how a variable is filled with a value for the runtime of the query or Web application. There are different types of variables depending on the object for which you want to define variables. These types specify where you can use the variables. Processing type Customer Exit enables, for example, the variable values to be prefilled customer-specifically using ABAP coding and a check for valid values or authorization to be performed.

Variables are reusable objects. This means that when you define a variable for a query in the Query Designer, this variable can be used in all other queries. Variables are not dependent on the InfoProvider, only on the InfoObject. A variable that you define for an InfoObject is available in all InfoProviders that use this InfoObject.

Within BI Integrated Planning, variables are used to parameterize a query, a planning function, a filter, a characteristic relationship, or a data slice.

More information:

Variable Types

Variable Processing Types

Overview of Variable Types and Processing Types

Prerequisites

For variables of type Manual Entry/Default Value and Replacement Path, there are no prerequisites.

For variables of processing type Customer Exit, SAP Exit, and Authorization, you must ensure that the respective prerequisites are fulfilled, such as the creation of an enhancement project, the activation of BI Business Content, or the maintenance of the authorizations.

Procedure

Defining Variables

Define the variables using a variable editor in the BEx Query Designer or – for planning applications – using a variable wizard or a variable editor in the planning modeler or planning wizard.

Note

For variables with processing type Manual Entry/Default Value, Replacement Path, and SAP Exit, it is sufficient to make the definition in the variable editor.

For variables with processing type Customer Exit and Authorization, define the variables in the variable editor. In addition, you must make adjustments in the ABAP coding of the enhancement project or in the authorizations.

More information: Defining Variables

Saving Variables

Save the variables in the variable editor of the Query Designer or in the variable wizard or variable editor in the planning modeler or planning wizard.

Using Variables

Use the variables in the following contexts:

      To parameterize queries, in the BEx Query Designer, drag the required variables from the InfoProvider screen area to the required position in the Filter or Rows/Columns screen area.

      To parameterize planning functions, you can use the variables in the area of the definition (for example, when specifying a conversion factor or a source version) as well as during the creation of a filter for restricting the selection. You can use a Web-based dialog to create, change, or delete the variables.

      To specify data slice selections, in the planning modeler, you can add variables to the selection on the Data Provider tab page in the Details when creating a data slice.

Deleting Variables

If you no longer require variables, delete them.

      In the InfoProvider screen area of the BEx Query Designer, select the variable and choose Delete in the context menu.

      In the planning modeler, you see in the restriction dialog of a characteristic, for example, the list of variables that are available for the selected characteristic in the filter in the Variables view. Select the variable and choose Delete.

Transporting Variables

To make the variables 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 variable. Enter the required transport request.

Note

If a fixed standard BEx transport request is specified, the variables are automatically written to this request and the transport request dialog box is not displayed.

From the planning modeler, you can transport variables using the standard BEx transport request only.

The technical name of the object type (TLOGO) for variables in transport requests is ELEM (ELEM.VAR).

More information:

Transporting BI Objects

Transporting BEx Objects

More Information

BEx Query Designer: Variables

Planning modeler: Variables

 

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