Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
Task
This tutorial guides you step-by-step through the basic procedures for creating a simple SAP
NetWeaver Business Intelligence scenario. You will create a simple data model, define the data flow
from the source system to the Business Intelligence store of your data model, and then load data or
enter data directly in the BI system. You will then create a query to create a report to analyse your
data.
The company in the scenario produces laptops, PCs and computer accessories, and distributes its
products over various channels. An advertising campaign for the Internet distribution channel was
started in July by the marketing department. The success of the campaign is to be checked in
October of the same year in order to decide whether and how the campaign should be continued. A
revenue report containing the data of the past quarter and showing the revenue for the various
distribution channels during this time is therefore required.
The data exists in a number of source systems used in the operative environment. This data in its
current form is not suitable for analysis. You will load the data and consolidate the data into a data
warehouse in preparation for analysis.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
1
Summary
There are a number of steps which need to be completed to successfully complete the analysis
1
• Create InfoArea
2
• Create InfoObject Catalogue
3
• Create Key Figures and Characteristics
4
• Create InfoCube
5
• Load Master Data
6
• Load Transaction Data
7
• Reporting with Bex
Data
The sample data for our scenario is available as csv files:
 Tutorial_Prod_Attr.csv
This file contains the attributes for characteristic Product.
 Tutorial_Prod_Texts.csv
This file contains the texts for characteristic Product.
 Tutorial_Trans.csv
This file contains the sales data for the months July to September.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
2
Loading SAP BW
Similar to other SAP solutions the SAP BW system is launched via the SAP Logon Pad. This can be
accessed from the Start menu.
1
Choose
then
and then
to launch the SAP Logon Pad.
The Logon Pad appears which allows you to select which server you want to logon to. Your lecturer
will indicate which server is used for BW.
2.
Click
3.
Click
the server you will be using for your exercises.
to activate the BW system.
After a short time the SAP BW log on window appears on the screen:
Input Areas of the Screen
Client - A Client identifies a business entity in the BW system. Each BW contains data that is
completely separate from data in other clients. Different clients are established for testing and
developing different aspects of the system and for training purposes. The system default Client
should already appear.
User - Uniquely identifies you to the BW system. Your User Id will be allocated by your workshop
leader and remain the same throughout the unit
Password - Uniquely identifies you to the BW system.
Language - Identifies the language the BW will be displayed in. Often this is defaults to the required
language.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
3
4.
Type
your User Id.
5.
Press
<TAB> to move the cursor to the Password text box.
6.
Type
your Password which will supplied by the lecturer
7.
Click
or press <ENTER> to accept the input.
A new screen will appear which allows you to enter a new password to replace the temporary one
you logged on with.
You now need to create a new password. You will be the only person who knows this password so it
is important to create a password which is easy to remember. However the BW system has some
rules about what it allows to be a password.
Password Rules





8.
Type
Passwords must be at least 6 characters long.
Can contain any keyboard characters, including
numbers, blanks, and punctuation signs. It is not
case-sensitive.
Must not begin with a question mark "?",
exclamation mark "!" or blank. The first three
characters must not include a blank.
Must not be PASS or SAP*
Cannot begin with three identical characters
your new password.
As you type your new password asterisks appear. This is designed to hide your new password from
other people.
9.
Press
10.
Click
<TAB> to move to the next text box.
to enter the new password into the system.
A Copyright message appears on screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
4
11.
..
12.
Click
to close this dialogue message.
Double Click
SAP Business Information Warehouse  Modeling  Data Warehousing
Workbench: Modeling to display this area of the DWB.
A dialog screen may appear about documentation. If it does:
13.
Click
to continue.
A screen appears with similar structure to the SAP BW main screen except there is more detail.
1. Creating InfoAreas
The Modeling area of the DWB is where you create and apply objects and rules that are needed for
data transport, update and analysis. These objects are displayed in a hierarchical tree structure.
You can create an InfoArea from either the InfoProvider or InfoObjects screens. The process is the
same on both screens. A number of InfoAreas have already been created to assist with the
workshop exercises. Key Figures are a type of InfoObjects.
14.
Click
to display the various InfoAreas.
An InfoArea is a way of organizing meta –objects in the Business Warehouse. Each InfoProvider is
assigned to an InfoArea. InfoObjects can also be assigned to different InfoAreas using InfoObject
Catalogues.
For the purpose of these notes we will be using a default InfoArea structure. Your workshop leader
will identify which is your parent InfoArea.
15.
Right Click
your default InfoArea in the right frame of the screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
5
You will notice the following menu appears:
16.
Click
Create InfoArea… to display the dialog screen.
17.
Type
<root>nnn where nnn is your assigned login number.
18.
Press
<TAB> to move to the Long description field.
You should have noticed that
19.
Type
name.
20.
Click
appears in the field. This indicates that this is a required field.
<root>nnn Surname where nnn is your logon number and Surname is your family
to accept your entries.
Notice that your InfoArea has been created and it is displayed on the screen. It will also appear in
the InfoObjects tree. This will also contain all the other MetaObjects you will create.
2. Creating InfoObject Catalogs
Another object used to organise MetaObjects is an InfoObject Catalog. This is a directory that exists
within an InfoArea. It is a directory of InfoObjects used in the same business context. For example
all InfoObjects that are used to provide information for supply chain management can be grouped
under one InfoObject Catalog. This enables easier searching and selection when there are a large
number of InfoObjects. InfoObjects can be assigned to more than one InfoObject Catalog. An
InfoObject Catalog is purely organizational and has no impact on reporting.
You need to create two InfoObject Catalogs (one for Key Figures and one for Characteristics). For
the purpose of this exercise common InfoObject catalogs have been created for all students.
InfoObject Catalogs are created by using the context menu (right click InfoArea).
21.
Right Click
on your InfoArea to display the following menu
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
6
23
Click
Create InfoObject Catalog… to display the dialog screen.
The following screen appears:
Two InfoObject Catalogues are required. One for Characteristics and the other for Key Figures. You
now create the first InfoObject Catalogue for Characteristics.
24.
Type
<root>nnnChar where nnn is your login number
25.
Press
<TAB> to move to move to the Long description field.
26.
Type
<root>nnn Characteristic where nnn is your login number.
You will notice that by default that your InfoArea details have been inserted.
You will notice that the Char. radio button
InfoObject Catalogue will be Characteristic type.
27.
Click
has been selected by default to indicate that this
to create the InfoObject Catalogue.
The Edit InfoObject Catalogue screen appears. This screen is designed to allow you to allocate
Characteristic InfoObjects to the InfoObject Catalogue. At this stage you have not created any
Characteristics even though some already exist in the system. You need to activate
your
InfoObject Catalogue.
28.
Click
to activate your InfoObject Catalogue.
Question: What message appears on the status bar?
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
7
29.
Click
to return to the previous screen.
You will notice that your InfoObject Catalogue (Charactersitic) now appears under your InfoArea.
Now you need to create another InfoObject Catalogue for Key Figures.
30.
Right Click
your InfoArea to display the menu
31.
Click
Create InfoObject Catalog… to display the dialog screen.
32.
Type
<root>nnnKey where nnn is your login number.
33.
Press
<TAB> to move to move to the Long description field.
34.
Type
<root>nnn Key Figure where nnn is your login number.
35.
Click
36.
Click
to indicate that this is a Key Figure InfoObject Catalogue.
to create the InfoObject Catalogue.
The Edit InfoObject Catalogue screen appears.
37.
Click
to activate your InfoObject Catalogue.
Question: What message appears on the status bar?
38.
Click
to return to the previous screen.
You will notice that your InfoObject Catalogue (Charactersitic
Figure
) now appears under your InfoArea.
) and InfoObject Catalogue (Key
As mentioned previously InfoObjects should be assigned to an InfoObject Catalogue. There is a
default InfoObject Catalogue with the name “Unassigned Nodes”, that contain all InfoObjects, that
have not been assigned to a catalogue. So if you create an InfoObject and cannot find it this might
be a good place to look. You can also search for it using the Search button
.
The next step in the process is to create the relevant InfoObjects; Characteristics and Key Figures.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
8
Summary
1
• Create InfoArea 
2
• Create InfoObject Catalogue 
3
• Create Key Figures and Characteristics
4
• Create InfoCube
5
• Load Master Data
6
• Load Transaction Data
7
• Reporting with Bex
3. Creating InfoObjects
InfoObjects which are the core building blocks in the BW system. They can either be:
 Key Figures
 Characteristics
They are used throughout the BW system to create structures and tables to enable information to
be modelled in a structured form in the data warehouse.
Naming Conventions
The technical name convention for pre-defined InfoObjects supplied by SAP, in Business Content,
begins with the number “0”, such as 0Customer. The technical name for user-defined InfoObjects
begin with a character between A to Z, and have a length of 3 to 9 characters.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
9
3.1
Creating Key Figures
The business scenario for this exercise was based on your enterprise’s requirements for a series of
reports involving sales data across the organisation. From the analysis it has been determined that
the following Key Figures are required to facilitate the analysis of data. The Key Figures required are
Revenue, Quantity and Price. You will need to create the Key Figure structures which will form the
data part of the InfoCube later on. The key figure Price is used in our scenario as an attribute for the
InfoObject Product, which you will create at a later time. You have determined the format of the
Key Figures:
Key Figures
Revenue
Technical Name
Type/Data Type
Data Type
Unit/currency
<root>nnnREV
amount
CURR – Currency
field, stored as
DEC
0CURRENCY
Quantity
Price
<root>nnnQTY
<root>nnnPR
quantity
amount
0UNIT
CURR – Currency 0CURRENCY
field, stored as
DEC
To create the Key Figures (Revenue, Quantity, Price):
39
Click
40
Right Click
41
Click
Create InfoObject to display the dialog screen.
42
Type
<root>nnnREV (where nnn is your logon) in the KeyFig. field.
43.
Type
<root>NNN Revenue in the Long Description
44.
Click
Key Figure to select this InfoObject Catalog.
Key Figures to display the context menu.
field
to accept your entries
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
10
The Create Key Figure Detail screen appears.
As you can see there are three tab pages available to define different aspects of Key Figure
InfoObjects.
45.
Check that the Type is Amount.
46.
Check that the Data Type is CURR-currency field, stored as DEC.
47.
Click
Unit/Currency field to select it.
48.
Type
0CURRENCY.
49.
Click
to save your Key Figure.
You can verify the process through the message which appears on the Status bar?
Before you can use Key Figures to structure other MetaObjects, you must make sure they are
activated
. Activating the Key Figure generates the objects in the Data Dictionary and shares
them throughout the BW environment.
50.
Click
to activate your Key Figure.
Again you can verify the process by the message on the Status Bar?
51.
Click
to return to the main screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Reporting Using SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
11
Your screen should appear similar to the one below:
You now need to create the Quantity Key Figure.
52.
Right Click
Key Figures to display the context menu.
53.
Click
Create InfoObject to display the dialog screen.
54.
Type
<root>nnnQTY in the KeyFig. field.
55.
Press
<TAB> to move the cursor to the Long Description field.
56.
Type
<root>nnn Quantity .
57.
Click
58.
Click
to accept your entries
to select this data type.
As you have selected Quantity data type you now need to specify how the quantity is counted.
59.
Click
Unit/Currency field to move the cursor.
60.
Type
0UNIT to indicate the Base Unit of Measure.
61.
Click
to save your Key Figure.
62.
Click
to activate your Key Figure.
63.
Click
to return to the main screen.
You will notice that you have 2 Key Figures in your InfoObject Catalog. You now need to create the
remaining Key Figure (Price).
64.
Create the following Key Figures, Save and Activate.
Price
Description
<root>nnn
Price
Technical
Name
<root>nnnPR
Type/Data
Type
Amount
Data Type
Unit/Currency
CURR – Currency
field, stored as DEC
0Currency
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
12
3.2
Creating Characteristics
You have created the necessary Key Figures as per the requirements. You now need to create
Characteristics which are used to add meaning to the Key Figures. From the analysis of the scenario
you have determined the following Characteristics are required:
Technical Name
<root>nnnPGR
<root>nnnCHA
<root>nnnPRO
Description
<root>nnn Product Group
<root>nnn Channel
<root>nnn Product
Data Type
CHAR – character string
CHAR – character string
CHAR – character string
65.
Right Click
66.
Click
Create InfoObject to display the Create Characteristic screen.
67.
Type
<root>nnnPGR where nnn is your login number.
68.
Press
<TAB> to move the cursor to the Long Description field
69.
Type
<root>nnn Product Group where nnn is your login number.
70.
Click
Length
6
5
10
Characteristics InfoCatalog to display the context menu.
to continue.
The Create Characteristic Detail screen appears:
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
13
Currently the General tab is displayed. This screen enables you to determine the basic properties of
a characteristic including its, description, data type (Char, Num, Date, Time), length and conversion
routine. Description, data type and length are required.
 If you want to know more about a field you can select and then press F1.
71.
Click
the Data Type field to select it.
72.
Click
CHAR Character String to select this data type.
73.
Type
6 in the Length field.
68
Press
<ENTER> to confirm your entries
Your screen should look similar to below:
74.
Click
to save your Characteristic.
75.
Click
to activate your Characteristic.
76.
Click
to return to the main screen.
The Product Group Characteristic appears in the InfoObject Catalog.
You can check the structure of your other Characteristics by selecting the Display command from the
Context Menu of the Characteristic (right click).
Now you need to create the Channel Characteristic.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
14
77.
Right Click
Characteristics InfoCatalog to display the context menu.
78.
Click
Create InfoObject to display the Create Characteristic screen.
79.
Type
<root>nnnCH where nnn is your login number.
80.
Press
<TAB> to move the cursor to the Long Description field
81.
Type
<root>nnn Channel where nnn is your login number.
82.
Click
to continue.
The Create Characteristic Detail screen appears
83.
Click
the Data Type field to select it.
84.
Click
CHAR Character String to select this data type.
85.
Type
5 in the Length field.
86.
Press
<ENTER> to confirm your entries
87.
Click
88.
Click
to display this screen.
and
to DESELECT them
89.
Click
to save your Characteristic.
90.
Click
to activate your Characteristic.
91.
Click
to return to the main screen.
You now need to create the Product Characteristic. This Characteristic includes Master Data.
Master Data are additional fields used to describe this Characteristic. These fields can be Texts
(descriptors) or Attributes (other InfoObjects).
92.
Right Click
Characteristics InfoCatalog to display the context menu.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
15
93.
Click
Create InfoObject to display the Create Characteristic screen.
94.
Type
<root>nnnPRO where nnn is your login number.
95.
Press
<TAB> to move the cursor to the Long Description field
96.
Type
<root>nnn Product where nnn is your login number.
97.
Click
to continue.
The Create Characteristic Detail screen appears
98.
Click
the Data Type field to select it.
99.
Click
CHAR Character String to select this data type.
100. Type
10 in the Length field.
101. Press
<ENTER> to confirm your entries
102. Click
to display this screen.
The Product Characteristic has Master Data (texts) to further describe it. The texts are medium
length and are in different languages.
103.
Click Short text exists to deselect it.
104.
Click
Medium length text exists to select this option.
You do not have to select Texts language dependent as this is already selected by default. If it is not
selected then you need to select it.
105.
Click
the InforArea field to select it.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
16
106.
Type
the technical name of your InfoArea - <root>nnn.
You now need to add some further Master Data (Attributes) which will describe the Product
Characteristic. These Attributes are Product Group (<root>nnnPGR), 0Currency, and Price
(<root>nnnPR).
107.
Click
to display this screen.
108.
Type the following Attributes and press <ENTER> after each one to insert the
description:
Later when you create a report you want to be able navigate the report using the Product Group
Attribute to drilldown/up. To be able to do this you need to make it a Navigational Attribute. You
create a Navigational Attribute by clicking
next to the desired Attribute.
109. Click
Attribute.
110.
Press
next to Product Group (<root>nnn Product Group) to change it to a Navigation
<ENTER> if a warning message appears.
You also need to add a Navigate Attribute Description.
111.
Click
Navigation att. description to select this field.
112.
Type
Product Group.
113.
Click
to save your Characteristic.
104.
Click
to activate your Characteristic.
105.
Click
to return to the main screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
17
Summary
1
• Create InfoArea 
2
• Create InfoObject Catalogue 
3
• Create Key Figures and Characteristics 
4
• Create InfoCube
5
• Load Master Data
6
• Load Transaction Data
7
• Reporting with Bex
4. Create InfoCube
The main aim of a data warehouse is to provide an infrastructure for the provision of information for
better decision making. In a data warehouse the meta-objects responsible for supplying data for
reporting are InfoProviders. There are a number of different InfoProviders available in BW. The
InfoProvider you are going to create in the tutorial is an InfoCube. The central data containers
which form the basis for multi-dimensional reports and analyses in SAP BW are called InfoCubes.
InfoCubes contain two types of data - Key Figures and Characteristics.
The structure of the InfoCube required is;
Dimensions
Characteristics
Sales Organisation
<root>nnn Channel - <root>nnnCHA
Product
<root>nnn Product - <root>nnnPRO
Time
Calendar Year/Month - 0CALMONTH
Calendar month - 0CALMONTH2
Calendar Year/week – 0CALWEEK
Calendar Year - 0CALYEAR
Key Figures
<root>nnn Quantity - <root>nnnQTY
<root>nnn Revenue - <root>nnnREV
Navigational
Attributes
Product Group
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
18
106.
Click
to move to this area of the DWB.
The InfoArea created previously are replicated in the InfoProvider area of the DWB.
107. Click
next to the Parent InfoAreas to expand these InfoAreas.
108. Right-Click
109. Click
your InfoArea (<root>nnn) to display the context menu.
Create InfoCube to display the Edit InfoCube screen.
You need to name your InfoCube:
110.
Type
<root>nnnSal in the InfoCube field.
111.
Press
<TAB> to move to the next field.
112.
Type
<root>nnn Sales Overview
113.
Click
to create the InfoCube.
The InfoCube maintenance screen appears.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
19
In reporting you use Dimensions to assist with the analysis of the Key Figures. In this scenario you
want to analyse the Quantity and Revenue (Key Figures) by Sales Organisation and Product by Year,
Month, Week .
Firstly you will need to create Sales Organisation and Product Dimensions:
105.
Right Click
to display the context menu.
106.
Click
Properties.
107.
Type
Sales Organisation in the Description field (replace Dimension 1).
108.
Click
to accept your entry and rename the Dimension.
You now need to create the other Dimension.
109.
Right Click
to display the context menu
110.
Click
Create New Dimensions.
111.
Type
Product in the Description field (replace Dimension 2).
112.
Click
to accept your entry and create the Dimension.
Assigning Characteristics to Dimensions
You now need to associate your Characteristics (Product Group, Channel, Product) with the created
Dimensions.
118.
Right Click
to display the context menu.
119.
Click
InfoObject Direct Input to select this command.
120.
Type
<root>nnnCHA
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
20
121.
Press
122.
Click
<ENTER> to display the description
to accept your entry.
The Material Characteristic now appears under the Material Dimension.
123.
Click
next to
Dimension to display the Characteristic.
The Sales Organisation Dimension now includes the Channel Characteristic.
124.
Right Click
to display the context menu.
125.
Click
InfoObject Direct Input to select this command.
126.
Type
<root>nnnPro
127.
Press
<ENTER> to display the description.
128.
Click
to transfer the Characteristics to the Sales Dimension.
129.
Click
next to
to display the Characteristics.
You can resize the InfoCube column to view your InfoObjects description.
Assigning Time Characteristics to the InfoCube
At present the Time Dimension is empty. SAP BW supplies a number of standard time InfoObjects
that can be inserted into this Dimension. The Time Characteristics which are to be included in the
InfoCube are; Calendar Year/Month (0CALMONTH), Calendar Month (0CALMONTH2), Calendar
Year/Week (0CALWEEK), Calendar Year (0CALYEAR).
130.
Right Click
to display the context menu.
131.
Click
InfoObject Direct Input to launch this command.
132.
Type
0CALMONTH.
133.
Press
<ENTER> to confirm the entry and retrieve the description.
134.
Repeat the process for; 0CALMONTH2, 0CALWEEK and 0CALYEAR.
135.
Click
to transfer the InfoObjects to your InfoCube.
Assigning Key Figures to the InfoCube
You now need to assign your Key Figures. This is a similar process to assigning Characteristics
except Key Figures are assigned to the Fact Table.
136.
Right Click
to display the context menu.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
21
137.
Click
InfoObject Direct Input to select this command.
138.
Type
the following Key Figures:


<root>nnnREV
<root>nnnQTY
139.
Click
to transfer the Key Figures.
140.
Click
next to
to expand the directory.
You will notice that the Key Figures now appear.
Assigning Navigational Attributes to the InfoCube
Previously you defined Navigational Attributes (Product Group) when you created your various
Characteristics. However it needs to be activated in the InfoCube.
141.
Click
to expand the directory.
You will notice that the Navigational Attribute that you defined previously appear in the directory.
142.
Click
the checkbox  next to the Attribute to activate it.
You have completed building your InfoCube. It should look similar to the figure below.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
22
You now need to save and activate the InfoCube before data can be loaded and it can be reported
on. However before you do this you should check it for errors.
143.
Click
to check your InfoCube.
A series of messages appears in the bottom right of your screen. Assuming everything is correct you
can now save.
144.
Click
to save your InfoCube.
145.
Click
to activate your InfoCube.
146.
Click
to return to the main screen.
Your InfoCube appears in your InfoArea. You have now created the necessary structure for storing
your data and now structures need to be created to load the data.
Summary
1
• Create InfoArea 
2
• Create InfoObject Catalogue 
3
• Create Key Figures and Characteristics 
4
• Create InfoCube 
5
• Load Master Data
6
• Load Transaction Data
7
• Reporting with Bex
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
23
5. Loading Master Data
Once InfoProviders have been created then they need to be populated with the appropriate
information. This process is often referred to as Extraction, Transformation and Loading (ETL).
The ETL process involves:
 Extraction: Involves obtaining data from various data systems.
 Transformation: Source data undergoes a variety of operations to prepare it for importing
into the data warehouse. Integration and transformation programs are used to reformat,
recalculate, modify structure, and add time elements.
 Loading: Involves physically moving the extracted and transformed data into the data
warehouse. Once the extraction and transformation processes have been established up to
date data can be loaded into the data warehouse at regular intervals.
Create DataSource
The next step is to create a DataSource. DataSources are BI objects used to extract and stage data
from source systems. DataSources select the data required from a source system.
147.
Click
to display the available DataSources.
Before you create a DataSource you need to create an Application Component. The Application
Component performs a similar function as an InfoArea in terms grouping your various DataSources
in the same location. To create an Application Component:
148.
Click
to display the different DataSources.
149.
Select File  PC Files (Other Flat Files) to display the various options.
150. Right Click
menu.
to display the context
151.
Select Create application component.
152.
Type
<root>nnn
153.
Press
<TAB> to move the cursor to the Long Description field.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
24
154.
Type
155.
Click
<root>nnn Surname (Surname is your family name).
to complete the process.
Your newly created Application Component appears on the screen.
156.
Right Click
your Application Component to display the context menu.
157.
Select Create DataSource.
158.
Type
<root>nnn_PRO_ATTRIBUTES as the name of your DataSource.
160.
Press
<TAB> twice to move to the Data Type DataSource field.
161.
Click
162.
Select Master Data Attributes.
163.
Click
to display the options.
to complete the process.
The Change DataSource screen appears.
164.
165.
Enter
the following data:
Short description
Medium description
Long description
<root>nnn_PRO_ATTRIB
<root>nnn_PRO_ATTRIBUTES
<root>nnn_PRO_ATTRIBUTES
Click
to move to the next screen
This screen enables you to assign the Source Destination and File Name of the data to be uploaded
(extracted). You can also specify if Header Rows exist and the Data Format.
166.
Check the Adapter is Load Text-Type File from local Workstation.
167.
Click
168.
Type
1 in the Header Rows to be ignored field.
170.
Click
the Data Format field to display the options.
171.
Select Separated with Separator (for Example, CSV).
in the File Name field to browse for the Tutorial_Prod_Attr.csv file on your PC.
Notice new fields appear based on this selection. The new fields specify how the data is separated.
172.
Check that the Data Separator is a ;
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
25
173.
Click
Number format field.
174.
Select Direct Entry
175.
Type
. in Thousands Separator and , in Decimal Point Separator.
Your screen should appear similar to below.
176.
Click
to move to the next screen.
The Proposal tab enables you to load sample data. The BI system reads the header row and
proposes field names and types based on what it finds.
177.
Click
to display the sample data.
The sample data and the field structure of the file appear. You need to make some changes to the
structure for your BI environment.
178.
Change the data type of the field PRICE from DEC to CURR
179.
Press
<ENTER> to confirm your entry.
180.
Type
Currency in the Curr/Unit field.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
26
Your screen should appear similar to below:
181.
Click
to save your DataSource.
182.
Click
to activate your DataSource.
You can now preview the actual data based on your settings. This assists in identifying any errors
before you load the data.
183.
Click
184.
Click
to move to the next screen.
Your screen appears similar to below:
185.
Click
to return to the main screen
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
27
The next step in the process is to create a Transformation.
186.
Right Click
your DataSource for Attributes to display the context menu.
187.
Select Create Transformation.
188.
Click
189.
Select InfoObject.
190.
Press
191.
Select Attributes.
192.
Type
193.
Click
in the Object Type field to display the options.
<TAB> to move to the Subtype of Object field.
your Product (<root>nnnPRO) in the Name field.
to accept the data and proceed.
A screen appears which lists both the Source and Target Fields.
SAP BW has attempted to define the relationship between the Source and Target fields. You need to
complete the Transformation.
194.
Drag
between Target and Source Objects to establish relationships as shown below:
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
28
195.
Click
to save your Transformation.
196.
Click
to activate your Transformation.
197.
Click
to return to the main screen
The next step in the process is to create a Data Transfer Process.
198.
Right Click
your DataSource for Attributes to display the context menu.
199.
Select Create Data Transfer Process
A screen appears similar to below:
.
200.
Click
to accept the data and proceed.
201.
Click
202.
Change Extraction Mode to Full.
203.
Change Extraction Mode to Full.
204.
Click
select it.
to move to this screen.
to
The details from your DataSource appear.
205.
Click
to save your Data Transfer Process.
206.
Click
to activate your Data Transfer Process.
207.
Click
to move to this screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
29
This screen provides a data flow of the various steps.
208.
Click
to continue the process.
A dialog screen appears requesting whether to want to view the Monitor
The Data Transfer Process Monitor, provides a traffic .light based system to display your success or
provides an analysis the causes for failure.
209.
Click
to view the Monitor.
Your Data Transfer Process Monitor should display green traffic lights to indicate a successful
process.
Hopefully yours appears with all green indicators. You need to check the data load for Attributes.
209.
Click
to return to the main screen
You should now check the Master Data loaded.
Viewing Master Data.
210.
Click
to move to this screen.
211.
Locate
212.
Right Click
213.
Select Maintain master data.
your Product (<root>nnnPRO).
your Product to display the context menu.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
30
A report selection screen appears.
214.
Click
to select the default search criteria and display the Master Data and Attributes.
215.
Click
until you to return to the main screen.
You now need to load the remaining Master Data (Texts) for Channel and Product Group. When
there are only a few records it is easier to directly enter the data.
64.
Locate your Channel (<root>nnnCHA).
216.
Right Click
your Channel to display the context menu.
217.
Select Maintain master data
218.
Click
219.
Double Click
220.
Type
to execute
the first field to display a dialog box
1 in the first field
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
31
221.
Press
<TAB> twice to move to the Description field.
222.
223.
Type
Click
Internet in the Short Description field
to accept the data and proceed.
The new record now appears
224.
Click
to insert another record.
225.
Type
226.
Click
227.
Repeat the steps for the following records:
3
Phone
4
Other
228.
Click
once you have entered all the Master Data (Texts) for Channel.
229.
Click
until you to return to the main screen.
2 in the Channel field and Fax as the Short Description.
to accept the data.
You now need to follow the same procedure to enter the Master Data (Texts) for your Product
Group (<root>nnnPGR).
230.
Locate
your Product Group (<root>nnnPGR).
231.
Right Click
232.
Select Maintain master data
233.
Click
your Product Group to display the context menu.
to execute
You will notice Product Groups already appear. You need to add the Texts for each Product Group.
234.
Double Click
235.
Type
236.
Click
237.
Enter
the Description field adjacent to DS10 to display the dialog box.
Computer in the Short Description field.
to accept the data.
the following Master Data (Texts) for the remaining records:
DS20 Accessories
DS30 Hardware
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
32
238.
Click
once you have entered all the Master Data (Texts) for Channel.
239.
Click
until you to return to the main screen.
You now need to follow the same procedure to enter the Master Data (Texts) for your Product
(<root>nnnPro).
240.
Enter
the following Master Data (Texts) for Products:
PDS01
PDS02
PDS03
PDS04
PDS05
PDS06
PDS07
PDS08
Notebook Speedy I
Notebook Speedy II
PC Thinkbox
USB Adaptor
iPhone
Stereo Kit
Camera Connector
USB Storage
Summary
1
• Create InfoArea 
2
• Create InfoObject Catalogue 
3
• Create Key Figures and Characteristics 
4
• Create InfoCube 
5
• Load Master Data 
6
• Load Transaction Data
7
• Reporting with Bex
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
33
6. Loading Transaction Data
Currently you have loaded data for Characteristics. Characteristics are used to provide meaning to
Key Figures. For example Quantity is meaningless unless a product is associated with it. You now
need to load the Transactional data which includes the Key Figures for each sale. Firstly you need to
create a DataSource for the transactional data. This will define the source systems and which fields
are required.
240.
Click
to display the available DataSources.
241.
Right Click
242.
Select Create DataSource.
243.
Type
<root>nnn_Sales as the name of your DataSource.
244.
Press
<TAB> twice to move to the Data Type DataSource field.
245.
Click
246.
Select Transaction data.
247.
Click
your DataSource <root>nnn to display the context menu.
to display the options.
to complete the process.
The Change DataSource screen appears.
248.
Enter
249.
Click
<root>nnn Sales for each Description field (3)
to move to the next screen
This screen enables you to assign the Source Destination and File Name of the data to be uploaded
(extracted). You can also specify if Header Rows exist and the Data Format.
250.
Check the Adapter is Load Text-Type File from local Workstation.
251.
Click
252.
Type
2 in the Header Rows to be ignored field.
253.
Click
the Data Format field to display the options.
254.
Select Separated with Separator (for Example, CSV).
in the File Name field to browse for the Tutorial_Trans.csv file on your PC.
Notice new fields appear based on this selection. The new fields specify how the data is separated.
255.
Check that the Data Separator is a ;
256.
Click
Number format field.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
34
257.
Select Direct Entry
258.
Type
. in Thousands Separator and , in Decimal Point Separator.
Your screen should appear similar to below.
259.
Click
to move to the next screen.
The Proposal tab enables you to load sample data. The BI system reads the header row and
proposes field names and types based on what it finds.
260.
Click
to display the sample data.
The sample data and the field structure of the file appear.
261.
Click
262.
Click
which displyas the fields to be copied into SAP BW.
to close the information screen.
You need to make some change sto the format of the incoming fields.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
35
263.
Enter
the following changes:
Field
Data type
CALENDERDAY
DATS
QUANTITY
QUAN
UNIT
UNIT
REVENUE
CURR
CURRENCY
CUKY
264.
Press
<ENTER> to accept the changes.
265.
Type
UNIT in the cur/unit field for Quantity
266.
Type
Currency in the cur/unit field for Revenue
267.
Change the Format field for Revenue from Internal to External.
Your screen should appear similar to below:
268.
Click
to save your DataSource.
269.
Click
to activate your DataSource.
A Log Display waring appears.
270.
Click
to proceed.
You can now preview the actual data based on your settings. This assists in identifying any errors
before you load the data.
271.
Click
to move to the next screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
36
272.
Click
Your screen appears similar to below:
273.
Click
to return to the main screen
The next step in the process is to create a Transformation.
274.
Click
275. Right Click
menu.
276.
to move to this area of the DWB.
your InfoCube for Sales Overview (<root>nnnSAL) to display the context
Select Create Transformation.
You will notice the dialog screen has already been populate with information.
277.
Select
Object Type in Source of the Transformation area of the screen.
278.
Select
DataSource
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
37
279.
Type
the name of the DataSource you just created <root>nnn_Sales.
280.
Type
your Product (<root>nnnPRO) in the Name field.
281.
Type
PC_File in the Source System field.
282.
Click
to accept the data and proceed.
The Source and Target fields appear on screen.
283.
Drag
the following fields to identify the Transformations.
Source
Product
Calendarday
Target
Product <root>nnnPRO
0CALMONTH
0CALMONTH2
0CALWEEK
0CALYEAR
Channel <root>nnnCHA
Quantity <root>QTY
Revenue <root>nnnREV
Channel
Quantity
Revenue
The Source field will be
changed for each of the date
Target fields
Unit is added automatically
Currency is added
automatically
Your screen should appear similar to below:
284.
Click
to save your Transformation.
285.
Click
to activate your Transformation.
A warning appears.
286.
Click
to proceed.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
38
287.
Click
to return to the main screen
The Transformation and Data Transfer Process appear below your InfoCube.
You now need to load Transactional data. To do this you need to create two structures; an
InfoPackage to get the data initially into SAP BW and a Data Transfer Process to move the data to
your InfoCube. Although the Data Transfer Process appears it will need to be modified.
288.
Click
next to
to expand it.
289.
Right Click
your DataSource (<root>nnn_SALES) to display the context menu.
290.
Select
Create InfoPackage.
291.
Type
292.
Press
<root>nnn Sales Overview in the InfoPackage Description field.
to continue.
The InfoPackage maintenance screen for the Scheduler appears.
293.
Click
294.
Click
295.
Click
to move to this area of the Scheduler.
to begin loading Transactional data into SAP BW.
to check the status of the load.
Your screen should appear similar to below.
296.
Click
until you return to the main screen
297.
Right Click
the Data Transfer Process (under your InfoCube).
298.
Select
Create Data Transfer Process.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
39
The screen appears with default values.
299.
Click
to continue.
300.
Change the Extraction Mode to Full.
301.
Click
to activate your Data Transfer Process.
302.
Click
to move to this screen.
303.
Click
to move the Transactional Data to the InfoCube.
A dialog window appears.
304.
Press
<ENTER> to continue
The monitor displays the status of the load process. Your screen should appear similar to below.
You can check the contents of your InfoCube to see if the data was loaded.
305.
Click
until you return to the main screen.
306.
Right Click
your InfoCube to display the context menu.
41.
Select
Display Data
307.
Click
to execute the query.
The Key Figures of your InfoCube are displayed. When you create the reports the associated
Characteristics and Master Data will also be shown.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
40
Summary
1
• Create InfoArea 
2
• Create InfoObject Catalogue 
3
• Create Key Figures and Characteristics 
4
• Create InfoCube 
5
• Load Master Data 
6
• Load Transaction Data 
7
• Reporting with Bex
7. Reporting with SAP Business Explorer
A query is a definition of the data that you want to display in a report. The report is what the end
user interacts with to analyse the data. Before a report is created the underlying query must be
created.
The Business Explorer (BEx) is the SAP BW component that provides flexible reporting and analysis
tools that can be used for strategic analysis and supporting the decision-making process in a
company. Employees can analyse historical and current data at differing levels of detail and from
different perspectives. They can use the Web or Microsoft Excel to display the data.
You analyse the dataset of the BI System by defining queries for InfoProviders using the BEx Query
Designer. By selecting and combining InfoObjects (characteristics and key figures) or reusable query
elements (such as structures) in a query, you determine the way in which you navigate through and
evaluate the data in the selected InfoProvider.
309. Choose Start  Programs  Business Explorer  Analyzer.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
41
After a short time Microsoft Excel will appear on screen. A new menu item (Add-Ins) appears on the
menu bar which enables users to access BEx.
310.
Select Add-Ins to display the BEx Analyzer toolbar.
You now need to open the previously created InfoProvider (<root>nnn Sales Overview)
311.
Click
312.
Click
to display the context menu.
Open Query… to proceed.
A dialog screen will appear requesting the SAP BW system you want to access. In addition you will
need to provide your logon details. Your workshop leader will provide these details.
Server
Client
User
Password
Language
800
EN
After a short period of time the Open dialog screen appears. Your screen may appear slightly
differently depending upon previous queries and InfoProviders opened.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
42
You need to find your InfoProvider.
313. Click
to search for saved queries and InfoProviders.
The Find dialog screen appears.
314.
Type <root>nnn* in the search text field. This wildcard search will find anything which
starts with the <root>nnn you have been using.
315.
Click
to perform the search.
A list of all InfoProviders appear.
You will notice that each InfoProvider is identified by a different icon. Identify the meaning of each
icon.
316. Click
317. Click
<root>nnn Sales Overview to select this InfoProvider (InfoCube).
to continue.
A query appears on screen providing totals for the Key Figures of your InfoCube.
318.
Click
the Tools icon to display the context menu.
319.
Select Create New Query command.
After a short time the Query Designer will appear on screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
43
The components of this screen will be explained shortly.
320.
Click
to create a new query.
A new screen appears to identify which InfoProvider the query will be based on. Your InfoCube
should appear.
If your InfoCube does not appear you will need to find the InfoProvider ( your InfoCube) which you
are going to build your report on.
1.
Type
<root>nnn* in the Name field.
2.
Press
<ENTER> to perform a search based on the criteria which you entered.
321. Click
<root>nnn Sales Overview to select this InfoProvider (InfoCube).
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
44
322. Click
to continue.
The Query Designer screen appears populated with MetaObjects associated with the InfoCube.
323. Click
to change query views.
Notice that your previously defined Dimensions and Key Figures are listed. The screen has a
number of panes which are used to build your query definition. This is done using drag and drop
functionality. The different areas of the screen are explained below.
4
1
3
2
6
5
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
45
The Query Designer is divided into six subareas:
1. Directory tree of the selected InfoProvider.
Once you have selected the required InfoProvider, all available objects (dimensions, key figures,
structures) display in the directory tree in the left screen area of the Query Designer.
2. Columns
You define the columns of your report in this area.
3. Rows
You define the rows of your report in this area.
4. Free Characteristics
You transfer those characteristics into the free characteristics area that do not display in the initial
view of the results when you execute the query in the BEx Analyzer or on the Web. You can also use
free characteristics for selecting filter values in the report.
5. Preview
This area gives a preview of the query results area.
6. Properties
This area enables you to further define different components of your query.
You will also notice that the Query Designer has a number of buttons on the toolbar of which many
are currently dimmed. If you move your mouse over the icon a label will appear to describe the
button.
Creating a Query
You will notice on the Query Designer screen that the InfoObjects including key figures and
characteristics of the dimensions in your InfoCube are listed in a tree structure on the left of the
screen. By clicking the plus and minus symbol or the directories, you can expand or compress the
directory structure. By expanding the key figure node in the InfoCube tree, for example, you can
display a list of all the key figures for the InfoCube.
324. Click the <root>nnn Revenue Key Figure to select it.
325.
Drag
the selected key figure to the Columns definition area of the screen.
Notice that the Preview area of Query Designer changes to reflect the inclusion of this Key Figure.
Also the Properties area displays a number of options.
326.
Drag
<root>nnn Quantity to the Columns definition area.
You now need to add the required Characteristics (Sales Organisation and Product).
327.
Click
328.
Click
next to
to expand this dimension.
Channel to select it.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
46
329.
Drag
the selected characteristic to the Rows area of the Query Designer.
Again notice that the Preview area has changed according to the new definition.
330.
Click
next to
to expand this dimension.
331. Drag Product Group and then Product to the Rows area of the Query Designer. Place
below Channel.
At the moment the Product Group will only display its Product Group ID (DS10, DS20, DS30) which
can be confusing. The end users would like to see the Product Group Description.
332.
Click
Product Group in the Rows Pane to select it to expand this Dimension.
333.
Click
334.
Click
335.
Select Text
in Properties Pane to display the options.
of the Display as dropdown box to display the options.
You want to analyse the revenue and Quantity by different time periods (week, month, year etc.)
These will be included as Free Characteristic.
336.
Click
337.
Drag
next to
to expand this dimension.
the Time Characteristics to the Free Characteristics area of the Query Designer.
Viewing a Query
Although the Preview area displays the structure of the query it does not show the actual content of
the query. To view the content you need to click
your query.
. Before you view the contents you should save
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
47
338.
Click
to display the save dialog screen.
339.
Type
<root>nnn Sales Report in the Description field.
340.
Type
<root>nnnSalesReport in the Technical Name field.
341.
Click
to complete the process.
342.
Click
to close the Query Designer and display the query’s result.
After a short period of time the report appears.
 How much Revenue was achieved by Computer sales via the Phone?
Navigating Queries
A query provides a user with the flexibility to view the data contained in the query from various
perspectives. Switching between the different views is called navigation. In the Business Explorer,
navigation is used to help analyze data.
The basic navigation functions are:

Filtering a field according to field’s values.

Drilling down on a field to display more detail.

Distributing the fields and key figures along the row axes and the column axes of the
query
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
48
Sorting
Similar to other reporting tools you can sort on particular fields. In BEx Web this is achieved by
clicking the Sort icon in the relevant field.
You would like to determine which Product had the most Quantity sold.
343. Click
of the <root>nnn Quantity field to sort the field from highest to lowest.
 Which is Product has the highest Sales Quantity?
344. Practice the technique of sorting to different columns.
Undoing Navigation Steps.
You can undo any changes you make to the query by using the context menu (Right Click) of the
query and then selecting the Back One Navigation Step or Back to Start commands. You have the
options of going back one step or back to the original design of the query.
345. Right Click
346. Click
anywhere in the query to display the context menu.
Back One Navigation Step command.
Filtering
You can Filter the query based on a single value or range of values. For example the query at the
moment displays the sales for different materials. It is difficult to determine the total sales for a
particular Product, Product Group or Channel. A Filter can assist in solving this problem. Firstly you
only want to display the Revenue and Quantity for Internet Sales Channel:
347.
Right Click
in the <root>nnn Channel column to display the context menu.
348.
Select Select Filter Value… to display the dialog screen.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
49
Notice that the different values for the Channel appear. If you had right clicked on the Product
column then the values for the various Products would appear.
349.
Click
Internet to select this Channel.
350.
Click
to filter the values.
Only the data for the Internet Channel now appear. But how would a new user of the query know
that these figures are related to Internet? It is possible to display the Filters that have been applied
to a query by clicking the
icon.
351.
Click
to display the filter criteria.
You will notice that Internet appears next to the Channel.
You would now like to determine the total sales of Accessories.
352. Right Click
353. Click
Back Start command.
354. Right Click
355. Select
anywhere in the query to display the context menu.
in the Channel column to display the context menu.
Remove Drilldown.
The Channels are now removed from the report
 What is the total Revenue for Accessories?
You would now like to determine the total revenue for September 2007.
356. Right Click
357. Click
anywhere in the query to display the context menu.
Back Start command.
358. Double Click
Calendar Year/Month in the Filter pane.
You will notice that the Calendar Year/Month now appears in the report.
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
50
 What is the total Revenue for September 2007? – Hint use Remove Drilldown.
Test Your Skills
 What is the total Revenue for 2007?
 What is the total Quantity sold for PDS01 in 2007?
 What is the total Revenue sold for the Hardware Product Group?
You have completed the tutorial on Reporting With SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse This was
used to demonstrate how a data warehouse is utilised to load and store data to support reporting in
an organisation. You only loaded a small number of records compared to companies that would
analyse millions of records.
1
• Create InfoArea 
2
• Create InfoObject Catalogue 
3
• Create Key Figures and Characteristics 
4
• Create InfoCube 
5
• Load Master Data 
6
• Load Transaction Data 
7
• Reporting with Bex 
Answers:
 Which is Product has the highest Sales Quantity? – PDS05 2,910
 What is the total Revenue for Accessories? - $830,602.91
 What is the total Revenue for September 2007? - $734,299.45
 What is the total Revenue for 2007? - $1,675,531.76
 What is the total Quantity sold for PDS01 in 2007? - $152,347.23
 What is the total Revenue sold for the Hardware Product Group? - $60,118.85
Paul Hawking, Victoria University | Price
51