Editing Object Properties

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to modify object properties in a Web Intelligence document.

Qualification, Data Type, Aggregation

In the Object or Variable Properties tab, you can edit the properties of the objects that compose your query.

The Objective measure is configured as a numeric data type with sum aggregation in the Build panel.

You can edit different properties based on the type of data source:

  • Name: The name of the object (All data sources).
  • Description: A description of the object (All data sources).
  • Qualification: Allows you to change an object's type and set it to either dimension, measure, or detail. In the drop-down list, the application only lists the qualifications supported by the object you've selected. Also, the object icon is automatically updated in the Objects tab (Text, Excel, Free Hand SQL, Google Spreadsheet).
  • Associated dimension: Depending on the data source type, you can change the dimension associated with a detail object using the dedicated Associated Dimension property (Text, Excel, Free Hand SQL, Google Spreadsheet).
  • Aggregation: For measures, you can use the Aggregations drop-down list to change a measure's aggregation function. You can choose from multiple functions: Sum, Count, Count without empty, Average, Max, Min, and None. If an object is based on an SAP BW or SAP HANA data source, the aggregation function is delegated to the database by default. For every other data source, it's set to Sum by default (All data sources).
  • Data type: Allows you to change an object's type. You can choose from four different data types: String, Numeric, Decimal - High Precision Number, or Date/Time (Text, Excel, Free Hand SQL, Google Spreadsheet: full support - Universe, Web Intelligence document, SAP BW, SAP HANA, ODATA: Number/Decimal support only).
  • Formula: An additional Formula property is available for variables so that you can edit their formulas either directly within the tab or using the formula editor (All data sources).

After you make a change, the system shows an icon next to the object you edited in the Objects tab. This icon indicates that the object has been modified.

You can revert all properties by clicking Reset at the bottom of the Object or Variable Properties tab. To revert a single property after you click Apply, click the revert icon next to that property.

Display Format

You can define a display format for numeric or date/time values directly on the object rather than defining it for each table or chart in which it is used.

Select an object in the Main panel→Objects tab. In the Build panel→Object or Variable Properties tab, click the Edit Format link to open the Format Display dialog box.

The Sales revenue field properties panel is open, highlighting the Format Display section and Edit Format button for customizing number formatting.

Assign a format to this object and click OK.

Select a format from the list or click Add Custom Format, then enter the token in the Positive field for a new custom number format.

For more information about this topic, please read SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence User's Guide

Let's Summarize What You've Learned

  • Edit object properties such as qualification, data type, and aggregation in the Object or Variable Properties tab.
  • Change object qualifications to dimension, measure, or detail, based on the data source.
  • Adjust aggregation functions for measures, including sum, count, average, max, and min.
  • Set display formats for numeric or date/time values directly on the object for consistent formatting.

Learning

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