Using Helper Key Figures

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to create a helper key figure

Helper Key Figure

The following are features of helper key figures:

  • Typically used for intermediate calculation results used in a key figure or another helper key figure

  • Not exposed to the user in planning views or modeling

  • Can be used at REQUEST or any planning level

  • Can be used to break down a large calculation into manageable subcalculations

  • Usually prefixed with a H, for example, HINVENTORYTARGETQTY

  • Used when you have more than three inputs at different planning levels in one calculation

  • Primarily used in ratio calculations, last period aggregation, cost calculations, and so on

    Note that they do not have a base planning level

  • Used only for calculation, meaning that they do not have the other key figure properties, such as Stored, Editable, Aggregation, or Disaggregation

The figure, Capacity Utilization Percentage, shows the following calculation: Capacity Utilization Perc @Request = Capacity Demand @Request / Capacity Supply@Request.

Capacity Utilization Percentage is a REQUEST level calculation with inputs at different base planning levels: CAPAUTILPCT@REQUEST = "HCAPADEMAND@REQUEST" / "CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST".HCAPADEMAND calculates capacity demand at request level. You modify the Utilization Pct calculation to use HCAPADEMAND.

Demonstration: How to Create a Helper Key Figure

ExerciseStart Exercise

Create a Helper Key Figure

In this exercise, you create a helper key figure that is required for one or more subsequent exercises in the course.

Business Example

Your capacity planners want the capacity utilization to be calculated as a percentage in addition to the Capacity Overload Alerts. Configure the necessary objects to make this data available to your planners.

When the data values for the exercise include ##, replace ## with the group number that the instructor has provided to you.

Steps

  1. Create the HCAPADEMAND helper key figure at the REQUEST planning level so it is calculated as the sum of the same key figure at the PERLOCRES level.

    Note

    In a later exercise step, we will define the calculation at the PERLOCRES level.

    1. On the SAP Fiori launchpad home page, in the Model Configuration group, choose the Planning Areas Model Configuration tile, and then choose your T## planning area ID.

      Result

      The T## planning area configuration screen appears.

    2. Go to the Key Figures tab.

    3. Click New and then Helper Key Figure.

      Result

      The New Helper Key Figure screen appears.

    4. In the Key Figure ID field, enter HCAPADEMAND and, in the Calculation Definition field, choose REQUEST in the dropdown list.

    5. In the field below HCAPADEMAND@REQUEST field, enter the calculation definition SUM("HCAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES").

    6. Choose Validate.

      Result

      The information box appears with the warning There are 1 direct inputs for Request that do not exist.

    7. Choose Proceed Anyway.

    8. Choose Inputs.

      Result

      The Inputs of Request dialog box appears.

    9. Verify that the HCAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES is selected as input and the Calculated appears in the Value Used.

    10. Choose OK.

  2. Add a new calculation definition to the HCAPADEMAND key figure that you just created, so the PERLOCRES planning level is equal to CAPADEMAND at the same planning level.

    1. Choose Add Calculation Definition.

      Result

      The New Calculation Definition screen area appears.

    2. In the field to the right of HCAPADEMAND field, choose @PERLOCRES as the base planning level in the dropdown list. In the field below, enter the calculation definition "CAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES".

    3. Choose Validate and then choose Inputs.

      Result

      The Inputs of PERLOCRES dialog box appears.

    4. Verify that the CAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES is a direct input and that the Value Used is Calculated and choose OK.

      Note

      CAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES is a calculated key figure and is defined as SUM("CAPADEMAND@PERPRODLOCRES").

    5. Choose Save.

  3. Create the CAPADEMANDUTILPCT key figure, using Utilization Pct as the name and description. Use the PERLOCRESBase Planning Level, and create a calculation on request level as HCAPADEMAND / CAPASUPPLY.

    1. In the T## Key Figures area Choose New → Key Figure.

      Result

      The New Key Figure dialog box appears.

    2. In the Key Figure ID field, enter CAPADEMANDUTILPCT, in the Base Planning Level field, choose PERLOCRES in the dropdown list and enter Utilization Pct in the Name field.

    3. Select the Calculated checkbox.

    4. In the field belowCAPADEMANDUTILPCT@REQUEST field, enter the calculation definition IF(ISNULL("CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST") OR "CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST" = 0 , 0, "HCAPADEMAND@REQUEST" / "CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST").

      ISNULL function checks and replaces the NULL values. This is done to avoid errors associated with the division by zero.

    5. Choose Validate.

    6. Choose Inputs.

    7. Verify information there and choose OK.

    8. Choose Save.

    9. From the top left corner, hyperlink to your T## planning area.

      The Planning Area → Key Figures tab appears.

    10. Choose the Activate → Full Scope with Dependencies button in the toolbar and confirm the action in the popup.

  4. Validate the results in the Planner Workspace. Use the following data:

    Results Validation

    FieldValue
    Time LevelsMonthly; Current Month to Month + 12
    AttributesLocation ID, Resource ID
    Key FiguresCapacity Limit, Unconstrained Load, Utilization Pct

    1. Choose Planner Workspaces app in the General Planner group.

    2. Open the workspace 300_##.

    3. On the top right, choose Workspace → Design.

    4. Choose Settings on the top right of your existing planning view.

    5. Choose Save button, and choose Save As.

    6. Name your new planning view as Utilization Pct, leave the default option for original component.

    7. Complete the settings for the content with the information provided in the table.

    8. To display the planning view, choose Apply.

      Result

      Note that Utilization Pct is a ratio.

    9. Choose Settings and, in the Attributes, deselect the Resource ID.

    10. To view the results, choose Apply.

      Result

      The Utilization Pct is changed to the average.

  5. Save your Planner Workspace 300_## .

    1. On the top right, choose Workspace → Save.

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