Variables

Variables are parameters of a query that you defined in the Query Designer and that are filled with values when you execute the query or Web application. They serve as a store for characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, texts and formula elements, and can be processed in different ways.

Variable Type /Processing Type	User Entry / Default Value	Replacement path	Customer Exit	SAP Exit	Authorization
Characteristic	ß	ß	ß		ß
Text	ß	ß	ß
Hierarchy	ß		ß
Hierarchy node	ß		ß		ß
Formula	ß	ß	ß

1.     Characteristic value variables represent characteristic values and can be used wherever characteristic values are used.

2.     Text variables represent a text and can be used in descriptions of queries, calculated key figures and structural components.

3.     Formula variables represent numerical values. You can use formula variables in formulas. Numerical values are also used for calculating exceptions and conditions.

4.     Hierarchy variables represent hierarchies and can be used wherever hierarchies can be selected.

5.     Hierarchy node variables represent a node in a hierarchy and can be used wherever hierarchy nodes are used.

1.      If you choose User Entry/Default Value as the processing type for a variable, you can enter the required value for the variable manually in a dialog box when you execute the query. You enter a default value when you create the variable. This default value is then displayed for input-enabled variables in the input field of the variable screen. For fields that are not input-enabled, the default value is used as the variable value.

2.      The processing type Replacement Path enables you to specify the value that automatically replaces the variable when the query or Web application is executed. i.e., Characteristic value variables with the processing type Replacement Path are replaced by the results of a query.

3.      The Customer Exit processing type for variables enables you to determine values for variables by means of a function module exit. The function module used is EXIT_SAPLRRS0_001. (You create a project in transaction CMOD by selecting the SAP enhancement RSR00001 and assigning this to the enhancement project. Activate the project.)

4.      The SAP exit processing type is contained in variables that are delivered with SAP BW Business Content.

5.      If you choose Process with Authorization, the variable is automatically filled with the values of the user's authorization. When the user opens a query, the data is selected automatically according to his or her authorizations.

Variable offsets

To analyze key figures that have a fixed time-relationship to one another, you can use the variable offset. For example, you want to compare the sales volume from the current time period with that of the same time period in the previous year. In your report definition, you can use the same variable several times to restrict the key figures and determine a difference from the input value.

You can also use the variable offset to select an interval as a restriction with upper and lower limits that refer to the same variable.

1.      To do this, in the upper-left selection field, choose Value Range and between as the operator.

2.      On the Variables tab page, select the required variable and move this using Drag & Drop (or using the arrow key pointing to the right) into the right selection window.

3.      Now specify variable offsets for the upper and lower limits