Using Transformation Rules

In a Transformation, multiple transformation rules are defined.

Within a transformation rule, the following settings are defined:

• Source field(s)

• Rule Type

• Target fields(s)

• Aggregation Type: controls how a Key Figure or data field is updated:

  • Summation (for Standard DataStore Object and Data Mart DataStore Object)
  • Minimum (for Standard DataStore Object and Data Mart DataStore Object)
  • Maximum (for Standard DataStore Object and Data Mart DataStore Object)
  • Overwrite (for Standard DataStore Object and Characteristic)
• Currency/unit conversion

Several options are available when defining a rule type:

Initial: The field remains empty.

The Key Figures are not written to the InfoProvider.

The field is filled directly from the chosen source field or InfoObject.

The field is filled directly with the value entered.

The master data of an InfoObject can be used to derive the value from one of its attributes. For example, the currency value for a cost center can be derived from the currency value of its controlling area (which is used as an attribute of the cost center).

To read from a DataStore object (advanced), the system first provides you with a proposal for how the fields can be assigned. The key fields must be assigned to the source fields of the transformation. When assigning the fields, the names do not need to be identical.

Staging DataStore objects need a semantic key. To avoid performance problems here, the data must be unique. You can define how the system should behave if reading fails: the system either displays an error message or provides a constant.

If there are more key fields in the DataStore Object (advanced) than in the source, performance problems can occur.

When performing a time update, automatic time conversion and time distribution are provided. Direct update: the system performs a time conversion automatically.

You can update source time characteristics to target time characteristics using automatic time conversion. This function is not available for DataStore Objects (advanced), as time characteristics are treated as normal data fields. The system only offers time characteristics that have an automatic time conversion routine.

You can update Time Characteristics with time broadcasting. All the Key Figures that can be added are split into correspondingly smaller units of time. If the source contains a Time Characteristic (such as 0CALMONTH) that is not as precise as a Time Characteristic of the target (such as 0CALWEEK), you can combine these Characteristics in the rule. The system then performs time broadcasting in the transformation.

The field is filled by a transformation routine that you have written.

If the source of your transformation is a DataSource that is supplied with data via an operational data provider (ODP), and the target is either a DataStore Object (advanced) or InfoObject, you need the 0RECORDMODE rule type Calculation for ODP for the ODQ_CHANGEMODE and ODQ_ENTITYCNTR source fields.

This rule type can also be used to calculate the 0RECORDMODE field. If you load deltas from an ODP that does not return just one image type (after images, delete images and new images for example), this change behavior is provided by the ODQ_CHANGEMODE and ODQ_ENTITYCNTR fields. The 0RECORDMODE field has to be calculated from these fields for use in the SAP BW/4HANA system.

The InfoObject is updated with a value determined using a formula. Using the Transformation Library together with the Formula Builder enables you to create formulas without the need for ABAP coding.

The transformation library has over seventy pre-defined functions in the following categories:

• Functions for Character Strings

• Date Functions

• Basic Functions

• Mathematical Functions

• Suitable Functions

• Other Functions

You can implement self-defined functions in the transformation library in the formula builder. You can integrate existing function modules in these self-defined functions. You can make functions that are not currently contained in the transformation library available for frequent use.

The formula builder has both standard and expert mode. In standard mode, you can only enter formulas using the buttons and by double-clicking on functions and fields. In expert mode, you can enter formulas directly. You can also toggle between the two modes when entering a formula.