In the following we offer you an overview of the last quarterly release update of SAP before the turn of the year. We highlight the most exciting new features and the innovations that are most relevant to us.
Dashboard and story design
Story design innovations are only supported in the Optimized Story Experience.
Improved usability when filtering
By the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Quarterly Release Updates are now collected in the horizontal filter bar, all story filters in a single drop-down menu. This gives users an easier overview of the filters used in the story. This makes it easier for the user to interact with certain filters and understand the effects of the story filters on the dashboard.
Individual ranking of chart data
With the update it is now possible to customize rankings in graphics. In this way, either the same sorting can be defined for all dimensions or – now new – a single sorting can be carried out for each dimension. In addition, rankings are now preserved even if a rank is removed for one or more dimensions. These persist even if you add additional dimensions.
data modelling
Handling of unmaintained hierarchy properties
The update offers a new solution for handling dimension members whose properties are not maintained. This takes place in the form of hierarchical structures. The user can decide whether to display these dimension members by making the following choices in the Empty Hierarchy Values drop-down menu:
- Show as "(No Value)" in Hierarchy
- Remove from Hierarchy
- Group and show under "Not in Hierarchy"
New formulas for creating measures with accounts
The update introduces two formulas for the new model type. These allow the creation of limited calculated key figures with the help of accounts. To use the formulas, the model must contain measures and accounts that are cross-referenced to each other.
- ACCOUNTLOOKUP
Returns a cell value based on a measure name filtered by an account member.
- MEAURELOOKUP
Returns a cell value based on an account member filtered by a measure name.
enterprise planning
Representation of data locks
Data blocks for restricted metrics and accounts are properly enforced based on the blocking status of their source metrics and accounts. Restrictions previously displayed with "?" now have a lock icon and an indication of the lock status. The locked cells can be edited, but changes cannot be published.
Bulk editing of calendar tasks
Maintaining many planning processes has been simplified. A new wizard guides users through four individual steps to process multiple events at the same time. Updates such as general information (e.g. name, description), work files, time parameters (e.g. start/due date), participants (e.g. owner, assignee) and others are adjusted in an input mask. The changes run in the background and will be reflected in the next update.
Drill down into Value Driver Trees
There are some exciting adjustments to the value driver tree with this release update. It is now possible to break down a dimension in a value driver tree. The creation of subtrees for different filter elements is simplified by the fact that each selected dimension member can be copied. If a node is to be created that is similar to an existing one, the node can now be duplicated quickly and easily using "Duplicate Node" and changes can be made.
Microsoft Office integration
Custom GetData formula for Excel
With the update of the SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Office there is the new function SAP.GETDATA. It returns a data value for a specific set of dimension and member combinations. This allows users to create fully customized asymmetric reports in Excel and use Excel formatting. The syntax is as follows: SAP.GETDATA(Data Source, { , }*).
user collaboration
Filter values when scheduling stories
Users now have the ability to select filters for a pre-scheduled story. In this way, it can be determined which content is shown. This can be adjusted during planning or edited in an already existing filter.
Remove deleted users from comments
A "nice to have" of the Q4 update is the ability to remove the IDs of already deleted users from the comments and replace them with the designation "Deleted user".
Summary and Conclusion
With the Q4 release, improvements in usability were made. In the area of modelling, the lookup functions were added and a solution was found for empty hierarchy properties. In planning, the functionalities of value driver trees were expanded and data locks are now enforced according to their source data. The story experience has been improved with new sorting functions for chart data and the drill-down list for filters, creating calendar events is faster with the wizard. In addition, new functions are available in the Microsoft add-in, such as the GetData formula presented.
The last update of 2022 had some helpful innovations ready. Overall, however, these were rather minor adjustments. We look forward to the exciting updates planned for 2023.
