Pre-Filtering SAP BusinessObjects Data (Dataset Example)

When sourcing data from SAP BusinessObjects for Metrics, Reports, External Reports, Dimensions, and Datasets, you can pre-filter your data before fetching it. This function allows to focus on the slice of data that you really need and exclude those values that are currently irrelevant for you and your research.

PREREQUISITES:

Established Connectivity to SAP BusinessObjects

1. FINDING FILTER NAMES IN SAP BOBJ

Most of the data displayed on the SAP BusinessObjects Views can be filtered by different criteria. You can choose to include all measurements or exclude information that is currently irrelevant for you.

In this article, the Country filter is used.

2. Define a Source Object for Data Collection

Start by creating an Element or Dataset. Once you get to the process of Data Collection, define the following:

  1. Choose Data Source that connects SAP BusinessObjects and Metric Insights.
  2. Choose Data Collection Trigger that is going to initiate updating information in this Element
  3. Choose Element from the pop-up list of available objects that can be a source of data
    • Each item in the list is represented as the path (hierarchy) to the respective Report in SAP BusinessObjects.
    • If the required item is not displayed, click the Refresh icon at the upper right corner of the pop-up

3. Adding SAP BusinessObjects Filters to Metric Insights

Once filters are added to a Metric/Report or External Report for the first time, they are going to be automatically added to all new respective elements with the same Data Source/Report.

NOTE:

  • External filters are tied to SAP BusinessObjects elements, not Metric Insights' elements. This allows Filters to be reused for multiple elements (without creating new Filters every time an element is created in Metric Insights).
  • If there are more External Filters or Filter Values that you would like to use for the current element, you can always set the redundant ones to "ignore".

When creating a Metric/Report/External Report from SAP BusinessObjects, after you define the Element that should serve as a Data Source, you may pre-filter information that is going to be fetched.

Under Manage Filters > [+Filter], you can choose one of the four options for adding filters individually. Sections below provide information on how to do this.

3.1. Dataset

If you have already created Datasets from SAP BusinessObjects in Metric Insights, you can choose one for pre-filtering:

  1. Enter SAP BusinessObjects Filter Name
  2. Choose the corresponding option for filter creation
  3. Select Dataset & View
  4. Specify Value Column
  5. [Save]

3.2. Map to Dimension Values

If you have already used SAP BusinessObjects filters to create Dimensions in Metric Insights, you can quickly choose which Dimension Values you want to use for pre-filtering:

  1. Enter SAP BusinessObjects Filter Name
  2. Choose the corresponding option for filter creation
  3. Select Dimension
    • All Dimension Values are going to be loaded to the Values list automatically
  4. [Save]

NOTE: Dimensions used here must have Values that exactly match the Filter Values in SAP BusinessObjects (if the Values do not match, the Filter will not work)

3.3. Enter Manually

  1. Enter SAP BusinessObjects Filter Name
  2. Choose the corresponding option for filter creation and [Save] to display the [+Add Value] button
  3. [+ Add Value] 
  4. Enter the name of the filter value
  5. [Save]
  6. [Save]

3.4. Date

  1. Enter SAP BusinessObjects Filter Name
  2. Choose the corresponding option for filter creation
  3. Select Date Format used in the SAP BOBJ Report
  4. [Save]

4. Add Filters to a Results Set from SAP BusinessObjects

  1. Click the Pencil icon in the filter row
  2. Choose how you want to use the filter
  3. [Save]

5. Delete Filters

To delete a filter, go to Manage Filters, click the Trashcan icon next to the filter, and confirm your consent.