Using Natural Language in SAP Analytics Cloud to Visualize Data

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to Use natural language to visualize data.

Augmented Analytics

Make Smarter Decisions, Faster with AI-Driven Insights

SAP Analytics Cloud uses natural language processing (NLP) conversational analytics - all you have to do is ask.

Ask questions in a conversational manner with instant results explained in natural language. Detect drivers of a KPI and take the next best action using automated machine learning that discovers unknown relationships in data. Predict potential outcomes, generate forecasts, and automate predictive planning.

Conversational. Automated. Predictive.

Laptop with Just Ask on screen.

The Just Ask Feature

The SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature supports a variety of different natural language query (NLQ) input options, so simply ask your questions (using U.S. English) and instantly get answers displayed as either simple tables or charts. For example, you can ask the just ask feature to show you data for:

  • Sales by region
  • Sales for 2023
  • Sales for this quarter
  • Top 3 products by gross margin

Watch this short video to find out more about the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature.

SAP Analytics Cloud Just Ask with Model Selection dropdown open.

In the example below, you can see a chart created using the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature and six of the key points to note.

  1. Open the just ask feature from the horizontal tool bar.
  2. Select your model using the Select model dropdown list, as shown above.
    • Select Add Model to Search to add models to the current session.
    • If a specific model you want to search is not listed, you can request to have it indexed for the just ask feature by selecting Click here to create a model request to an admin.
  3. To help you with starting a query, select the + Add to Search icon to the left of the search field. Select any entry from the list available measures, and dimensions to populate the search field.
  4. Enter your question directly in the field and press the Search icon. Depending on the target model, the actual inputs will vary.
    • As you type, you can select auto-complete suggestions to populate the search field.
    • Keyword suggestions will display below the search field. Select any to add them to the search question.
  5. Interact with the data using the interaction options (from left to right):
    • Change from a Chart to a Table using the first two interaction options.
    • Select the Analyze Data icon to open the Data Analyzer in a separate tab, displaying the data from your search result.
    • Copy your charts by using the Copy icon to copy the card and paste the contents into a story page using the Ctrl + V shortcut.
    • Select the More Options option to set or reset drill levels, sort the display in ascending or descending order, set rank, or export the data as CSV or Excel files.
  6. The Suggestions section is a list of queries generated by the system to help you explore different aspects of the current data model.
Just Ask results with number 1 to 6 showing the elements covered in the text above the image.

Additional Information

The SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature must be enabled by system administrators. Currently, Search to Insight is the default application. For more information on the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature, including the most complete and up-to-date list of supported prompts and restrictions, you can visit Exploring Your Data with Just Ask | SAP Help Portal

For more information on Search to Insight, you can visit Search to Insight | SAP Help Portal

Use Natural Language in SAP Analytics Cloud to Visualize Data

Both tasks in this exercise have the same task flow, however, they use two different tools to do so. We recommend completing the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature exercise, however, if your system is still running Search to Insight, we have included that practice exercise as well.

Business Scenario

You have created a story and selected your data but are unsure where to start. You know that you must create insights for churn data based on the data, but you would like guidance.

In this practice exercise, you will:

  1. Access the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature/Search to Insight from your blank story.
  2. Enter search criteria to create a chart.
  3. Add the chart to your story.
  4. Refine the search to look closer into the data.
  5. Request that the data be presented in a specific type of chart.

Task 1: Analyze Data Using the SAP Analytics Cloud Just Ask Feature

ExerciseStart Exercise

Task 2: Optional: Create a Chart Using Search to Insight

ExerciseStart Exercise

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