Functions for Manual Planning 

Use

In the BEx Analyzer you use input-ready queries to create applications that allow manual data entry. These can be simple applications in which you only use input-ready queries, or they can be complex applications for manual planning in which you combine numerous queries that are input-ready or can be defined for a particular analysis alongside planning functions that change data automatically. 

The functions of the BEx Analyzer that support you in entering data are described below.

For an example of an application that is created using the BEx Analyzer, see Creating Planning Applications.

Prerequisites

You have defined one or more input-ready queries so that you can assign data providers to them. For more information about defining an input-ready query, see Input-Ready Queries.

Features

Manual Entry of Data in an Analysis Grid

In the BEx Analyzer, you use the Analysis Grid design item for manual planning. This uses the data provider you have selected to reference an input-ready query (or query view). See Analysis Grid. In the analysis grid, a structural element of the query is input-ready if you set the corresponding indicator for the element in the query definition.

Note that a cell can only be input-ready if each characteristic for this cell is defined uniquely in the underlying aggregation level. The aggregation level models the levels on which key figure values can be changed. If you have free characteristics, you have to drag and drop these free characteristics into the rows or columns before cells can be input ready.

Other settings in BI Integrated Planning, such as data slices or characteristic relationships, also affect whether data cells are input ready.

In the simplest case, you want to manually enter or change values in input ready cells. 

The system uses a predefined MS Excel format template (SAPBEXinputData) to support you in visualizing the input-ready cells. You can format this according to your requirements so that you can distinguish input-ready cells from cells that are not input ready.

By default, all the cells in a workbook can be changed. If you activate cell protection in the workbook, you can only change the input-ready cells. In the context menu of the analysis grid, choose Properties. In the Properties of Analysis Grid dialog box, on the General tab page, set the Enable Cell Protection indicator.

Depending on the analysis grid, you can also enter new rows. In the simplest case, you use the key figure structure in the data columns and use input help to restrict the free characteristics to a single value or drag and drop a free characteristic into the rows or columns. If no data is available in the analysis grid, you use input help to restrict the free characteristics to a single value and/or drag and drop the free characteristics into the rows.

If new rows can be entered, the system displays a row under the analysis grid. This row is formatted in the same way as the input-ready cells. For more information, see Performing Manual Planning.

Transfer Values

Changed cells and new rows are checked on the BI server. In the context menu of a cell that has been changed, choose Transfer Values. The system reads the values from the workbook, transfers them to the BI server and checks them for consistency against the planning model. The system only accepts the data if all entries are ‘correct’. As soon as the changed data is available on the BI server, it is automatically visible in all other components of the workbook for manual planning purposes. Other analysis grids that are input ready or determined for a particular analysis are refreshed accordingly with the changed data.

The values are also checked and transferred (if applicable) implicitly with each navigation. 

In the workbook settings on the General tab page, you change the setting that controls when plan data is transferred. We recommend that you use the default Before Navigation option. If you choose the With Confirmation Prompt option, the system displays a confirmation prompt each time before it transfers the values. If you choose the No Transfer option, the entered plan data is not transferred. 

Save Values

Data that has been changed while the BEx Analyzer application is open is retained on the BI server (in the planning buffer) if it is consistent. In the context menu, choose Save Values to save this data on the BI server in the InfoProvider on the database.

You can create functions for transferring (CHECK_VALUES) and saving (SAVE_AREA) changed data using buttons. For an example of how to create a save function, see Creating Planning Applications in the BEx Analyzer.

Using a Formula to Change Values

In the context menu of an input-ready cell, choose Change Values Using Formula to access a tool that is similar to a calculator and supports you in entering data.  

If you want to change individual cells or entire areas, highlight the area, enter a revaluation factor, for example, and choose enter or CTRL + enter. The selected area is revaluated accordingly.

You can get information about the syntax that is valid here from the Office Assistant.  Choose Help ® Show Office Assistant.