Creating Dashboards with SAP BusinessObjects (2nd Edition)

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H3234

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Product Details

ISBN:

978-1-59229-410-7

Author:

Ray Li and Evan DeLodder

Type:

Hardcover, 679 pages

Year:

2012

Product Description and Table of Contents

2nd Edition, Fully Updated for Release 4.0

• Create interactive dashboards with the tool also known as Xcelsius
• Understand how to use SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards in an SAP environment
• Explore new features such as Query Browser, sparkline chart, and Universe connectivity

Impress your audience with eye-catching, informative, and easy-to-navigate dashboards with SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards! In this book, you’ll quickly learn the basics of building your own dashboard and move on to customize your creations with themes, data connections, and other essential features.

SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards Basics
Build a strong foundation by understanding the features, options, themes, and commands at your disposal, and benefi t from comprehensive examples and practical exercises.

Visualize the Process
Benefit from numerous screenshots that show how different features will look in a dashboard (and view them in color in the online version!).

Custom Options
Tailor and enhance your dashboard by using SDK tools, data connectivity with options like SAP Crystal Reports and SAP BusinessObjects Live Office, and both SAP and non-SAP tools.

Bonus Online Information
Download source code from all examples and find color figure downloads at www.sap-press.com.

Updated and Revised for Release 4.0
Find all changes in the move to SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards 4.0, from small menu
changes and what they mean, to new developments in location intelligence and more.

Highlights

• UI components
• Data and Universe connectivity
• Query Browser
• Sparkline chart
• XML data
• SAP NetWeaver BW Connection
• Remote web service
• Query as a Web Service
• SDK
• Drill down
• Direct data binding
• Custom components
• Plus, a special foreword by Mico Yuk!

The Authors

Ray Li is a business intelligence professional currently working as a BI consultant. Evan DeLodder is managing director of Summit Intelligence Services and has extensive experience creating engaging, innovative business intelligence solutions.

... Foreword ... 17
1 ... Introduction to SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards ... 19
1.1 ... What Is SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards? ... 19
1.1.1 ... Who Works with SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards? ... 19
1.1.2 ... Installation ... 20
1.1.3 ... Relationship with Excel ... 21
1.2 ... What Can SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards Do? ... 22
1.2.1 ... Data Visualization Capabilities ... 23
1.2.2 ... Data Connectivity Capabilities ... 27
1.2.3 ... Distribution ... 28
1.2.4 ... Changes in SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards 4.0 ... 29
1.2.5 ... Extensibility ... 33
1.3 ... SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards in the SAP BusinessObjects Portfolio ... 33
1.4 ... Summary ... 34
2 ... Becoming Familiar with SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards ... 35
2.1 ... Menu ... 36
2.1.1 ... File ... 36
2.1.2 ... SAP ... 58
2.1.3 ... Edit ... 62
2.1.4 ... View ... 63
2.1.5 ... Format ... 68
2.1.6 ... Data ... 71
2.1.7 ... Help ... 74
2.2 ... Toolbar ... 77
2.2.1 ... Standard ... 78
2.2.2 ... Export ... 78
2.2.3 ... Themes ... 79
2.2.4 ... Format ... 79
2.2.5 ... Start Page ... 80
2.2.6 ... Summary ... 80
2.3 ... Components Browser ... 82
2.3.1 ... Category ... 82
2.3.2 ... Tree ... 83
2.3.3 ... List ... 84
2.4 ... Canvas ... 84
2.5 ... Embedded Excel Spreadsheet ... 85
2.6 ... Property Panel ... 85
2.7 ... Object Browser ... 88
2.8 ... Query Browser ... 89
2.8.1 ... Select a Universe ... 90
2.8.2 ... Build Query ... 90
2.8.3 ... Preview Query Result ... 92
2.8.4 ... Usage Options ... 92
2.9 ... Summary ... 93
3 ... Dashboard Tutorial ... 95
3.1 ... Introduction ... 95
3.2 ... Choose the Right UI Components ... 96
3.3 ... Bind Data ... 98
3.3.1 ... Bind Data for Pie Chart ... 99
3.3.2 ... Enable Drill-Down for the Pie Chart ... 100
3.3.3 ... Bind Data for Label ... 103
3.4 ... Connect to External Data ... 103
3.5 ... Formatting ... 104
3.6 ... Distribute the Output ... 106
3.7 ... Summary ... 108
4 ... UI Component Basics ... 109
4.1 ... Working with Charts ... 110
4.1.1 ... Pie Chart ... 110
4.1.2 ... Column Chart ... 133
4.1.3 ... Line Chart ... 155
4.1.4 ... Bar Chart ... 163
4.1.5 ... XY Chart ... 164
4.1.6 ... Bubble Chart ... 168
4.1.7 ... Area Chart ... 171
4.2 ... Selectors ... 174
4.2.1 ... Introduction to SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards Selectors ... 174
4.2.2 ... Select a Single Item ... 175
4.2.3 ... Filter ... 181
4.2.4 ... Checkbox ... 185
4.2.5 ... Ticker ... 186
4.2.6 ... Picture Menus ... 188
4.2.7 ... List Builder ... 192
4.3 ... Represent a Single Value ... 194
4.3.1 ... Introduction to Single-Value Components ... 195
4.3.2 ... Slider ... 195
4.3.3 ... Progress Bar ... 200
4.3.4 ... Dial and Gauge ... 200
4.4 ... Use Containers to Wrap Several Components ... 206
4.4.1 ... When to Use a Container ... 207
4.4.2 ... How to Use a Container ... 207
4.5 ... Build Backgrounds to Assist Layout ... 210
4.5.1 ... When to Use Backgrounds ... 211
4.5.2 ... How to Use Backgrounds ... 211
4.6 ... Universe Connectivity ... 214
4.6.1 ... Query Refresh Button ... 215
4.6.2 ... Query Prompt Selector ... 216
4.7 ... Summary ... 219
5 ... Advanced UI Components ... 221
5.1 ... Advanced Charts ... 221
5.1.1 ... Stacked Column Chart ... 222
5.1.2 ... Stacked Bar and Area Chart ... 227
5.1.3 ... Combination Chart ... 227
5.1.4 ... OHLC Chart ... 229
5.1.5 ... Candlestick Chart ... 239
5.1.6 ... Radar Chart ... 240
5.1.7 ... Filled Radar Chart ... 243
5.1.8 ... Tree Map ... 245
5.1.9 ... Sparkline Chart ... 247
5.1.10 ... Bullet Chart ... 251
5.2 ... Advanced Selectors ... 255
5.2.1 ... Accordion Menu ... 255
5.2.2 ... Icon ... 261
5.2.3 ... Play Selector ... 263
5.2.4 ... Calendar ... 270
5.3 ... Advanced Single-Value Components ... 273
5.3.1 ... Dual Slider ... 273
5.3.2 ... Spinner ... 275
5.3.3 ... Play Control ... 276
5.3.4 ... Value ... 278
5.4 ... Displaying Data in a Table ... 280
5.4.1 ... List View ... 280
5.4.2 ... Spreadsheet Table ... 285
5.4.3 ... Grid ... 289
5.5 ... Using Art ... 292
5.5.1 ... Image Component ... 292
5.5.2 ... Shapes ... 294
5.5.3 ... Lines ... 298
5.6 ... Use Maps for Geographical Representation ... 299
5.7 ... Web Connectivity ... 304
5.7.1 ... Connection Refresh Button ... 304
5.7.2 ... URL Button ... 307
5.7.3 ... Slide Show ... 312
5.7.4 ... SWF Loader ... 314
5.8 ... Others ... 315
5.8.1 ... Local Scenario Button ... 315
5.8.2 ... Trend Icon ... 317
5.8.3 ... Trend Analyzer ... 318
5.8.4 ... History ... 321
5.8.5 ... Print Button ... 324
5.8.6 ... Reset Button ... 324
5.8.7 ... Source Data ... 325
5.8.8 ... Panel Set ... 328
5.9 ... Summary ... 333
6 ... Data Connectivity Basics ... 335
6.1 ... Embedded Excel Spreadsheet ... 336
6.1.1 ... Role of Excel ... 337
6.1.2 ... How to Use Excel ... 337
6.2 ... Import Data from an Excel File ... 340
6.2.1 ... When to Import Data from an Excel File ... 340
6.2.2 ... How to Import Data from an Excel File ... 341
6.3 ... Security Issues Related to Accessing External Data ... 341
6.3.1 ... Run Locally ... 342
6.3.2 ... Run on a Web Server ... 343
6.4 ... XML Data ... 343
6.4.1 ... When to Use XML Data ... 346
6.4.2 ... How to Use XML Data ... 347
6.4.3 ... Practice ... 357
6.5 ... Web Service Connection ... 364
6.5.1 ... When to Use a Web Service Connection ... 364
6.5.2 ... How to Use a Web Service Connection ... 365
6.6 ... Excel XML Map ... 369
6.6.1 ... When to Use an Excel XML Map ... 370
6.6.2 ... How to Use an Excel XML Map ... 370
6.7 ... Summary ... 373
7 ... Advanced Data Connectivity ... 375
7.1 ... Query as a Web Service ... 376
7.1.1 ... When to Use Query as a Web Service ... 376
7.1.2 ... How to Use Query as a Web Service ... 377
7.2 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Connection ... 385
7.2.1 ... When to Use SAP NetWeaver BW Connection ... 386
7.2.2 ... How to Use SAP NetWeaver BW Connection ... 387
7.3 ... Live Office Connection ... 388
7.3.1 ... When to Use Live Office Connection ... 389
7.3.2 ... How to Insert SAP BusinessObjects Reports in Excel ... 391
7.3.3 ... How to Use Live Office Connection ... 391
7.3.4 ... Practice ... 397
7.4 ... Crystal Reports Data Consumer ... 399
7.4.1 ... When to Use the Crystal Reports Data Consumer Connection ... 401
7.4.2 ... How to Use the Crystal Reports Data Consumer Connection ... 401
7.4.3 ... Practice ... 408
7.5 ... Flash Variables ... 411
7.5.1 ... When to Use Flash Variables ... 412
7.5.2 ... How to Use Flash Variables ... 412
7.6 ... FS Command ... 417
7.6.1 ... When to Use FS Command ... 417
7.6.2 ... How to Use FS Command ... 418
7.6.3 ... Practice ... 421
7.7 ... External Interface Connection ... 424
7.7.1 ... When to Use an External Interface Connection ... 424
7.7.2 ... How to Use an External Interface Connection ... 425
7.7.3 ... Practice ... 427
7.8 ... LCDS Connection ... 431
7.8.1 ... When to Use an LCDS Connection ... 432
7.8.2 ... How to Use an LCDS Connection ... 433
7.9 ... Portal Data ... 435
7.9.1 ... When to Use Portal Data ... 436
7.9.2 ... How to Use Portal Data ... 436
7.10 ... Summary ... 440
8 ... Special Features ... 441
8.1 ... Drill-Down ... 441
8.1.1 ... When to Use Drill-Down ... 442
8.1.2 ... How to Use Drill-Down ... 443
8.1.3 ... Drill Down from One Chart to Another ... 444
8.1.4 ... Drill-Down on the Same Chart ... 447
8.2 ... Make Smart Use of Dynamic Visibility ... 452
8.2.1 ... When to Use Dynamic Visibility ... 453
8.2.2 ... How to Use Dynamic Visibility ... 456
8.2.3 ... Practice ... 458
8.3 ... Alerts ... 464
8.3.1 ... How to Use Alerts ... 464
8.3.2 ... Practice ... 465
8.4 ... Direct Data Binding ... 472
8.4.1 ... One-Dimensional Binding ... 473
8.4.2 ... Two-Dimensional Binding ... 474
8.5 ... Export ... 474
8.5.1 ... Flash ... 475
8.5.2 ... AIR ... 475
8.5.3 ... HTML ... 476
8.5.4 ... SAP BusinessObjects Platform ... 476
8.5.5 ... PDF ... 477
8.5.6 ... PowerPoint Slide ... 478
8.5.7 ... Outlook ... 479
8.5.8 ... Word ... 479
8.6 ... Themes and Colors ... 479
8.6.1 ... How to Apply a Theme ... 480
8.6.2 ... How to Apply a Color Scheme ... 482
8.6.3 ... How to Create a Customized Color Scheme ... 483
8.7 ... Summary ... 488
9 ... A Comprehensive Hands-On Example ... 489
9.1 ... Planning the Dashboard ... 491
9.1.1 ... Plan the Workflow ... 491
9.1.2 ... Plan the UI ... 492
9.2 ... Preparing Data ... 493
9.2.1 ... The US Map ... 494
9.2.2 ... The Gauge ... 495
9.2.3 ... The Column Chart ... 495
9.2.4 ... The Line Chart ... 497
9.2.5 ... The Radio Button ... 500
9.2.6 ... The Pie Chart ... 500
9.3 ... Organizing Data in Excel ... 501
9.4 ... Designing the Dashboard ... 505
9.4.1 ... Position the UI Components ... 505
9.4.2 ... Import the Excel File ... 506
9.4.3 ... Connect to External Data ... 508
9.4.4 ... Adjust the Appearance ... 509
9.5 ... Summary ... 510
10 ... Introduction to the SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards SDK ... 511
10.1 ... About the SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards SDK ... 511
10.2 ... About Flex ... 512
10.3 ... When to Use the SDK ... 513
10.4 ... How to Use the SDK ... 515
10.5 ... What Can I Do with the SDK? ... 518
10.5.1 ... Flex Applications ... 520
10.5.2 ... Data Processors, Connections, and Functions ... 521
10.6 ... SDK Best Practices ... 521
10.6.1 ... Use Only What You Need ... 521
10.6.2 ... Bindings ... 522
10.6.3 ... Use Custom Property Sheets ... 522
10.6.4 ... Don’t Repeat Yourself ... 522
10.6.5 ... Develop Test Containers ... 522
10.6.6 ... Trace and Alert ... 523
10.6.7 ... Development Approaches (MXML versus ActionScript) ... 523
10.6.8 ... Styling ... 523
10.7 ... SDK Pitfalls ... 524
10.7.1 ... Flash Shared Local Objects are Unreliable ... 524
10.7.2 ... XLPs and XLXs Should Be Archived ... 524
10.7.3 ... Common Component Classes—First in Wins ... 525
10.8 ... Summary ... 525
11 ... Get Started with Custom Component Basics ... 527
11.1 ... Developing Basic Add-On Property Sheets ... 527
11.1.1 ... Property Sheet Data Binding ... 528
11.1.2 ... Explicitly Setting Property Values ... 531
11.1.3 ... Explicitly Getting Property Values ... 532
11.1.4 ... Property Sheet Styling ... 532
11.1.5 ... Basic Property Sheet Overview ... 532
11.1.6 ... Proxy.Bind Explained ... 542
11.2 ... Developing Basic Add-On Components ... 543
11.2.1 ... Main Component Initialization Event Handler and Import Statements ... 544
11.2.2 ... Private Variables ... 544
11.2.3 ... Public Chart Color Variable—xcChartColor ... 545
11.2.4 ... Public Chart Series Variable ... 545
11.2.5 ... Public Chart Data Variable ... 546
11.2.6 ... Chart Building Function ... 548
11.2.7 ... Tooltip Function ... 551
11.2.8 ... MXML Markup: Grid Lines and Cartesian Chart ... 552
11.3 ... Creating Basic Component Packages ... 552
11.3.1 ... Basic Component Packaging Steps ... 553
11.3.2 ... Packaging for Special Components ... 554
11.3.3 ... Packaging Best Practices ... 555
11.4 ... Summary ... 555
12 ... Implement Advanced Custom Add-On Component Features ... 557
12.1 ... Implementing Advanced Property Sheet Features ... 557
12.1.1 ... Subelement Binding ... 558
12.1.2 ... Persisting Property Sheet Values ... 560
12.1.3 ... Retrieving Persisted Property Sheet Values ... 561
12.1.4 ... Setting Custom Component Property Values ... 562
12.1.5 ... Retrieving Custom Component Property Values ... 562
12.1.6 ... Generating Reusable Property Sheet Patterns ... 563
12.1.7 ... Communicating with External Data Services ... 565
12.1.8 ... Implementing Advanced Component Features ... 566
12.1.9 ... Communicating at the Application Level ... 577
12.1.10 ... Additional Packaging Features ... 578
12.2 ... Where to Go from Here: Tips, Tricks, and Resources ... 579
12.3 ... Summary ... 579
13 ... Hands-On: Develop Your Custom Add-On Component ... 581
13.1 ... Creating the Chart ... 581
13.2 ... Creating the Flex Component and Property Sheet Project ... 582
13.2.1 ... Creating the Flex Property Sheet ... 588
13.2.2 ... Creating the Flex Component ... 594
13.3 ... Creating the Flex Test Container ... 597
13.4 ... Creating the Packager and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards XLX Add-On ... 597
13.5 ... Creating the Data Sharing Component ... 598
13.5.1 ... Model Locator ... 599
13.5.2 ... Component Files ... 600
13.5.3 ... SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards Component Files ... 602
13.5.4 ... Property Sheet ... 603
13.6 ... Summary ... 608
... Appendices ... 609
A ... Location Intelligence ... 611
A.1 ... What Makes Up Location Intelligence? ... 612
A.2 ... Why Location Intelligence Is Important ... 614
A.3 ... How Does Location Intelligence Fit into SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards? ... 615
A.4 ... Location Intelligence Options in SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards ... 617
A.5 ... Common Location Intelligence Use Cases ... 621
A.6 ... Location Intelligence Best Practices ... 626
A.7 ... Summary ... 633
B ... Tips for Using SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards ... 635
B.1 ... Using SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards in an SAP BusinessObjects Environment ... 635
B.2 ... Deployment and Migration ... 643
B.3 ... How to Use SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards with SAP NetWeaver BW and SAP NetWeaver Portal ... 644
B.4 ... Supported Excel Functions ... 647
B.5 ... SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards Editions ... 659
B.6 ... Tips for Creating a Good Dashboard ... 662
C ... The Authors ... 669
... Index ... 671

Additional Resource(s)

	Download:	Color figures
	Download:	Bonus Content for readers of this book

Product Reviews

Showing reviews 1-4 of 9 | Next

Bad... just bad

Posted by bobjman on May 22nd, 2013

This book was a rush to press and who ever did the proofreading should be fired. The tutorial / examples do not flow correctly to locations of the embedded spreadsheet. Its as if the author paid no attention to what the sample embedded spreadsheet references were
Good Book

Posted by Anonymous on Mar 15th, 2013

This book is a good starting point for someone who is new to Xcelsius. It was also teaches general aspects of dashboard design.
Good introduction to Xcelsius

Posted by Uladzislau Pralat on Nov 29th, 2012

This book is a good starting point for someone who is new to Xcelsius. It was also teaches general aspects of dashboard design. Someone who reads Product Description and Table of Contents prior to ordering the book will not get disappointed. The book delivers what it promises. What is missing though is a CD with trial version or at list a link to trial version which is available on SCN for free. Here is the link: http://www.sap.com/campaign/2011_CURR_SAP_Crystal_Dashboard_Design_deptartmental/index.epx?xsite=freetrialsSCN_glb_dept2011
Explanations without context or examples

Posted by Bob Ssimour on Nov 28th, 2012

VERY FRUSTRATING

I've used books to learn most of what I know about using applications - MS Office products, Business Objects (starting with version 4.1, the FIRST 4x version btw).

This book uses text, without pictures or examples, to explain a concept that should be explained using at least one example.

SAP, take a queue from QUE Books - Special Edition versions. Teach by example. Don't wait until the last chapter of the book to explain what the entire book is attempting to teach.

Similar complaint with 'using Crystal' text.

Would I buy this book knowing what I know now? No. I would use online resources that teach by example.

SAP, this text does not cut it.