This completely revised second edition is fully up-to-date for SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0 and provides end users and functional consultants with a detailed reference on how to use all aspects of BEx reporting, from designing queries to linking reports together. Readers of this book will gain a deep knowledge of BEx and its many uses.

First, learn how to create and design flexible query definitions that can be used by a wide variety of users, with a focus on performance and usability. Then, delve into the capabilities of BEx Analyzer and enhanced navigation features, such as drag and drop to facilitate end-user interaction, a new design mode to develop applications, and additional integration with Excel formatting and formulas. The author shows you how BEx Web Reporting can be used to either create or display web-based applications and how additional user interfaces can also be developed using standard markup languages and the web design API, or by integrating a Visual Composer front-end. You'll quickly master Report-Report-Interfacing, a tool that enables users to link reports and jump from one report to another containing additional information. Finally, readers of this book will develop a deep understanding of advanced reporting topics, enabling you to maximize the features and functionalities of the BEx tools. Advanced topics include: the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) Repository, Personalization, Analysis Process Design (APD), and more.

Highlights

• BEx Query Designer
• Accessing InfoProviders
• Creating Custom Templates
• Defining Jump Targets
• Storing images in the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)
• SAP Business Objects Roadmap

About the Author(s)

Peter Scott has over nine years of Business Intelligence experience, with a mastery level in SAP BI reporting, SAP BI Project Management, and Enterprise Information Strategy. He has directed over a dozen project lifecycles as a Project Manager, Architect, and Lead. Peter’s consultancy work with companies across North America has included designing corporate management reporting strategies and delivering a wide range of custom training workshops, executive dashboards, and producing enterprise-wide reporting applications.

Table of Contents

1 ... Fundamentals of Business Intelligence (BI) Reporting ... 17
... 1.1 ... Basics of Data Warehousing ... 17
... 1.2 ... Basics of SAP BI ... 19
... 1.3 ... BEx Tools ... 21
... 1.4 ... Summary ... 34

2 ... The Business Explorer (BEx) Query Designer ... 35
... 2.1 ... Overview of the BEx Query Designer ... 35
... 2.2 ... Query Designer Layout ... 37
... 2.3 ... Using the BEx Query Designer Toolbar ... 41
... 2.4 ... Accessing InfoProviders ... 42
... 2.5 ... Creating a Basic Query Definition ... 47
... 2.6 ... Modifying InfoObject Properties ... 48
... 2.7 ... Restricted and Calculated Key Figures ... 56
... 2.8 ... Advanced Calculations ... 59
... 2.9 ... Using Structures ... 60
... 2.10 ... Creating Fixed Query Dimensions ... 62
... 2.11 ... Using Characteristic Variables ... 63
... 2.12 ... Creating Exceptions ... 68
... 2.13 ... Creating Conditions ... 71
... 2.14 ... Query Properties ... 72
... 2.15 ... Errors, Messages, and Help ... 74
... 2.16 ... Summary ... 76

3 ... Creating High-Impact Workbooks ... 79
... 3.1 ... Overview of the BEx Analyzer ... 79
... 3.2 ... Integration with MS Excel ... 81
... 3.3 ... Using the BEx Analyzer ... 82
... 3.4 ... Creating Custom Templates ... 88
... 3.5 ... Creating a Workbook with Multiple ­Reports ... 93
... 3.6 ... Workbook Settings ... 94
... 3.7 ... Text Elements ... 96
... 3.8 ... Working Offline ... 97
... 3.9 ... Working in Formula Mode ... 98
... 3.10 ... Local Calculations ... 99
... 3.11 ... Precalculating and Distributing Workbooks ... 100
... 3.12 ... Summary ... 104

4 ... Business Explorer (BEx) Web Reporting ... 107
... 4.1 ... BEx Web Analyzer ... 107
... 4.2 ... BEx Web Analyzer Context Menu ... 115
... 4.3 ... Overview of the WAD ... 118
... 4.4 ... WAD Layout ... 120
... 4.5 ... Creating a Web Template ... 129
... ... 4.5.1 ... Creating a Web Template ... 129
... 4.6 ... Inserting Additional DataProviders ... 134
... 4.7 ... Inserting Tables ... 135
... 4.8 ... Publishing Web Templates ... 137
... 4.9 ... Summary ... 139

5 ... Report-to-Report Interface (RRI) ... 141
... 5.1 ... Overview ... 141
... 5.2 ... Defining Jump Targets ... 142
... 5.3 ... Summary ... 147

6 ... Advanced Reporting Topics ... 149
... 6.1 ... Storing Images in the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) Repository ... 149
... 6.2 ... Personalization ... 150
... 6.3 ... Analysis Process Designer (APD) ... 153
...
7 ... Business Objects and SAP Business Warehouse (BW ... 157
... 7.1 ... SAP Business Objects Roadmap ... 157
... 7.2 ... The Return of BW ... 159
...
B ... The Author ... 167