SACE11

SAP Analytics Cloud Foundation

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PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK
INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING
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Course Version: 41
Course Duration: 2 Days
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Typographic Conventions

American English is the standard used in this handbook.

The following typographic conventions are also used.

This information is displayed in the instructor’s presentation

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Contents

vii Course Overview

1 Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

3 Lesson: Navigating in SAP Analytics Cloud

11 Lesson: Managing Files
19 Lesson: Using SAP Analytics Cloud Terminology

27 Unit 2: Establishing Data Sources and Connections

29 Lesson: Explaining Data Sources and Connections

31 Lesson: Creating Insights Using Data Analyzer

37 Unit 3: Using Modeling

39 Lesson: Explaining Modeling Options

45 Lesson: Exploring Model Data Sources
49 Lesson: Creating a Basic Model

57 Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

59 Lesson: Viewing and Interacting with a Story

65 Lesson: Building Simple Stories
71 Lesson: Working with Microsoft Add-ins
75 Lesson: Scripting Advanced Stories

83 Unit 5: Using Planning

85 Lesson: Describing Planning Features

95 Unit 6: Using Basic Augmented Analytics in SAP Analytics Cloud

97 Lesson: Exploring the SAP Analytics Cloud AI Functionality for

Augmentation

103 Unit 7: Using Collaboration Features

105 Lesson: Providing Feedback Using Discussions and Comments

107 Lesson: Using the SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar

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vi © Copyright. All rights reserved.
Course Overview

TARGET AUDIENCE
This course is intended for the following audiences:
● Data Manager
● Application Consultant
● Technology Consultant
● Industry / Business Analyst Consultant
● Business User
● Business Analyst
● Data Scientist
● Developer
● System Administrator

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viii © Copyright. All rights reserved.
 UNIT 1 Getting Started with SAP
Analytics Cloud

Lesson 1
Navigating in SAP Analytics Cloud 3

Lesson 2
Managing Files 11

Lesson 3
Using SAP Analytics Cloud Terminology 19

UNIT OBJECTIVES

● Navigate in the SAP Analytics Cloud interface.

● Manage and share files.
● Explain SAP Analytics Cloud terminology.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

2 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 1
Lesson 1
Navigating in SAP Analytics Cloud

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Navigate in the SAP Analytics Cloud interface.

Introduction to SAP Analytics Cloud

SAP Analytics Cloud is an end-to-end cloud solution that brings together business
intelligence, augmented analytics, predictive analytics, and enterprise planning in a single
system. As a cloud-based system, you can perform all these tasks from anywhere, on any
device. SAP Analytics Cloud provides the analytics foundation for the SAP's Business
Technology Platform.

SAP Analytics Cloud Core Functions

Business Intelligence
Empower business users to safely and securely work with governed data and create
interactive stories and dashboards. Uncover and deliver actionable insights across the
enterprise with intuitive self-service analytics.
Augmented Analytics
Automatically receive strategic insights with SAP Analytics Cloud's embedded artificial
intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology, allowing you to go from insight to
action in a fraction of the time. Avoid agenda-driven decision making by unveiling the true
story of what is driving your business.
Enterprise Planning
Make end-to-end decisions with confidence in one single workflow, from planning to
insights. Drive better business outcomes and gain full alignment across all business
areas with extended planning and analysis in SAP Analytics Cloud.
Enterprise Platform Services
Gain a holistic view of your business in seconds with a seamless blending of multiple data
sources. Live connections to both cloud and on-premise data sources eliminate silos and
streamline secured access to information. This enables end-to-end analytics for the
intelligent enterprise.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

Current SAP Analytics Cloud Courses

As this course is an overview of most of SAP Analytics Cloud's functionality, there are follow-
up courses that go into much more detail about the various topics covered in this course.
● Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud
● Unit 2: Establishing Data Sources and Connections

In-depth training: SACA21 (5 days)

● Unit 3: Using Modeling

In-depth training: SACM21 (2 days/learning.sap.com)

● Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

In-depth training, stories: SACS21 (3 days/learning.sap.com)

In-depth training, SAC integration with Microsoft Office: BOAN10 (2 days)

In-depth training, SAC integration with Microsoft Excel: SACX11 (learning.sap.com only)

In-depth training, advanced stories with scripting: SACS31 (4 days)

● Unit 5: Using Planning

In-depth training: SACP21 (5 days, planning only with SAP Analytics Cloud/
learning.sap.com)

In-depth training: Integrating SAP Analytics Cloud with various on-premise SAP planning
systems (learning.sap.com only)
● Unit 6: Using Basic Augmented Analytics in SAP Analytics Cloud

In-depth training: SACR1/SACR31 (learning.sap.com only)

● Unit 7: Using Collaboration Features

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 Lesson: Navigating in SAP Analytics Cloud

SAP Analytics Cloud Home

Figure 1: The SAP Analytics Cloud Home Screen

When you log on to your SAP Analytics Cloud tenant, you default to the Home screen. The
Home screen is where you can access your recent stories and visualizations as tiles. You can
also add useful reminders such as personal notes.
Your Home screen is private, and you cannot share it with other users or add it to discussions.
This privacy also applies to the notes and tiles you pin there.
To start with, you can:
● Explore a sample story: Explore a feature-rich story to familiarize yourself with key SAP
Analytics Cloud capabilities.
● Create your first story: Quickly launch the story creation process.
● Change your profile settings: Access your profile settings including contact details, display
language preference, and a display name.
● Access the on-line help center: Access basic help, how-to videos, and more.

The SAP Analytics Cloud Home page has four tabs.

Today
This tab is the default tab. It contains the tiles and notes that you have pinned.
Catalog
This is a single access point for content published for users within SAP Analytics Cloud.
Each published item is displayed as a card. We will discuss this tab in more detail later in
this lesson.
Favorites
This tab lists the resources that you have chosen as favorites.
Shared With Me
This tab lists all the resources shared with you by other users.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

The Catalog, Favorites, and Shared With Me tabs can be disabled by an administrator or a user
granted the necessary permissions.
You can customize your Home page to your preferences, including choosing which one of the
tabs is displayed by default. From the horizontal menu, choose Profile → Home Screen
Settings to display the Edit Home Screen dialog.

Figure 2: Edit the Home Screen

In the Edit Home Screen dialog, you can add or remove a tile simply by moving the selector to
the on or off position. You can also change the Home screen background and choose a logo to
display. If you want to brand your background with your company logo, then choose
Custom → Choose logo to access the file containing your custom logo.

Note:
Do not change any of these settings in the training system.

User Profile and Settings

User Profile
User profiles are used in many parts of the platform to identify the logged-on user. You can
view your own user profile by clicking the User icon in the horizontal menu at the top of the
SAP Analytics Cloud screen.
When you select a user in any dialog, the picture from the user profile displays in addition to
the display name and ID.
You can also display the full user profile to get information about the user in the following
areas of SAP Analytics Cloud:
● In the Collaboration panel, the name and picture of every participant of a discussion
displays. If you hover the cursor over the picture, you can display the full profile and start a
one-to-one discussion with that user.

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 Lesson: Navigating in SAP Analytics Cloud

● In the Event area, the picture of the user who is assigned to an event or a task is displayed
in the details of the event and task; for example, the profile of the user that needs to review
a task displays.
● In the Users area of user management, you can display the full profile by clicking on the
user's ID.

Profile Settings

Figure 3: Profile Settings

Profile Picture: By default, a photo placeholder is displayed. To upload your own picture from
your computer, choose Upload Profile Picture or select the placeholder from the Profile
Settings dialog.

User Preferences: To change any of the default settings, select the Edit icon.

You can choose a default language for the SAP Analytics Cloud interface. The Data Access
Language option sets the preferred language for displaying live data and text in stories. If the
Data Access Language is set to Default, then the value used in the Language setting will be
used. The Data Access Language setting is used by default unless an administrator selects a
different language when the live data connection is created. When you send a model for
translation, the Data Access Language becomes the source language of the model.
You can also change the formatting for dates, numbers, currency position, and other options.

Note:
Passwords:
If you use SAP Cloud Identity (ID), your profile information will be pulled from your
SAP Cloud ID profile. To edit your SAP Cloud ID profile, go to Profile Settings →
Edit Profile & Change Password in that system.
If you are using authentication via a SAML Identity Provider (IdP) or connecting
with the Identity Authentication service (IAS), choose Edit Profile > Change
Password in your user profile. The Password section appears as an option in your
user profile. Choose Change Password to redirect to the password change page.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

Vertical Menu
Vertical Menu
To access all the functionality of SAP Analytics Cloud, use the vertical menu on the left side of
the interface.

Figure 4: Vertical Menu Options

Catalog
The Catalog view provides more information about widgets and system content using a tile.
Each item published to the Catalog is displayed as a tile that users can open to access the
underlying content. The content in the Catalog is view-only, so you cannot copy, paste, delete,
or edit information from the catalog.
You can search or filter using categories and interact with the data to focus on the specific
information you are looking for, making it easy to find content.

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 Lesson: Navigating in SAP Analytics Cloud

Figure 5: SAP Analytics Cloud Catalog

The following content types can be published and displayed in the Catalog:
● Stories
● Digital Boardroom presentations
● Models
● Datasets
● Uploaded SAP Analytics Cloud files
● Content Links

Note:
Publishing to the Catalog is an administrative function. For an administrator to
publish content to the catalog, they select the object from Files and choose
Share → Publish to Catalog. They then select the team with whom to share and
choose OK. Finally, they choose Share.

SAP Analytics Cloud Help

SAP Analytics Cloud has a very robust Help feature. Simply click the Help button from the
horizontal menu and get in-application help related to where you are in SAP Analytics Cloud.
The SAP Analytics Cloud embedded help function includes guided help tutorials, videos, and
help documents.
To exit the help, simply close the right side Help Topics pane.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

Figure 6: SAP Analytics Cloud Help

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Navigate in the SAP Analytics Cloud interface.

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 Unit 1
Lesson 2
Managing Files

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Manage and share files.

Files
The Files area is where many of the SAP Analytics Cloud resources reside.

Figure 7: File Types

My Files
Similar to most file explorer interfaces, the SAP Analytics Cloud Files area can be organized
into folders and subfolders. Only users with appropriate authorization are able to create
folders, but all users have their own, private, My Files area. You can filter files in any folder by
type, but the filter will apply to all folders, not only the folder where you applied the filter.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

Figure 8: My Files

The My Files area displays content you own and all content that is shared with you but owned
by other users. This view also includes these folders:
● Input Forms: Contains input/planning stories and other planning-related elements
assigned to you.
● Public: Contains content that is available to all users; however, the availability may be
limited to read-only access. Content that you save in a public folder has read-only
permission for other users by default. The Public Folder cannot be deleted or copied, but
administrators can assign copy and delete permissions on the folder so that items that are
created in this folder will inherit the sharing permissions.
● Samples: Contains sample models and stories.

All users have the My Files area, but the content at that level is viewable by you and only you,
unless it has been shared with you by another user.
Click on a file name, and it will be opened in the corresponding view/runtime in SAP Analytics
Cloud. However, each file has a check box to the left of it. Checking the box gives you other
file-related options, as illustrated in the figure File Options:

Figure 9: File Options

Security, Management, and Monitoring

Like most SAP systems, SAP Analytics Cloud defines security for both functional and data
access. The security model is typically created and controlled by your corporate SAP
Analytics Cloud system administrators.

Content Network
Content in SAP Analytics Cloud includes all files as well as planning-related objects such as
data actions and value driver trees. To promote content across multiple SAP Analytics Cloud
tenants, administrators transfer over the cloud using the Content Network.

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 Lesson: Managing Files

The Content Network helps to keep your content organized, available, and secured with
appropriate permissions. Administrators can set different access rights for each sharing
destination. Each system can store up to 300 MB of exported content for free in the My
Content area. The Content Network is also where SAP Business Content is stored;
administrators can import any Business Content necessary and make it available for you to
use.

Security and Monitoring

SAP Analytics Cloud logs all activities that users perform on anything in then system.
Administrators can access and view these audited activities from the Security area in SAP
Analytics Cloud. In addition, they have access to standard monitoring reports to monitor the
real-time statistics and usage of the system.

Note:

● SAP Analytics Cloud shares the same quarterly release cycle with other major
cloud products from SAP. Each quarter, information on new features and
changes can be found in the SAP Analytics Cloud release highlights.
● The SAP Analytics Cloud software release versions installed on the source and
target tenants need to match (same version) or may differ by only one version.
There is no backward compatibility.

Share Content
You can share SAP Analytics Cloud files by granting either individual permissions or access
levels to users or teams. Access levels are predefined groups of permissions that can be
assigned to users. In many cases, these access levels are easier for administrators to assign
and manage than individual permissions simply because they apply to multiple users at one
time.
The access levels available when sharing are as follows:

Access Level Permissions Included

View Read, copy, view comment, add comment
Edit Update, create files, create folders
Full Control Delete, delete comment, share
Custom Any customized combination of the permis-
sions

With the exception of Custom, each access level beginning with Edit contains the permissions
from the access level above it.
You can share a file either by checking the box next to the file name in the Files area or from
within the opened file. If you share from the Files area, you can select multiple files to share.

With either option, you then select the Share icon and choose Share.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

Figure 10: Share Dialog

In the Share dialog, add the users or teams of users with whom to share, and choose the
appropriate access level. If you want to alert the recipients using email, check the Email new
recipients box. Then simply choose the Send button.
You can also unshare following the same process, but expand the Shared with area, select
those users/teams with whom you no longer wish to share, and select Delete.

Figure 11: Unshare a File

Similarly, administrators can make content easier for you to access by adding the Featured
Files tile to your Home screen.

Pin to Home
You can pin a chart from a story to your Home page for quick access to the information it

displays. When you are viewing a story, you can use a chart's More Actions button to

choose Pin to Home. We will discuss the More Actions button in detail later in this course.

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 Lesson: Managing Files

Figure 12: Pin to Home

Scheduling
As a content owner, you can schedule sharing a story with users and teams of your choice on
a regular basis. You can share the publication with any number of SAP Analytics Cloud users
within the tenant but a maximum of three non-SAP Analytics Cloud users. In order to
schedule, you must be assigned the Schedule Publication privileges, such as Create and
Manage. You can schedule a story from the Favorites menu, Featured files, or the Files page.
The process of scheduling is similar, no matter where you start. To schedule a story from the
Files area:
● From the Files area (from the Navigation Bar, choose Files) and browse to the where the
story is.
●
Select the story that you want to schedule, and from the toolbar, select

Share → Schedule Publication

● The Schedule Publication dialog box appears.
By default, the name of the story is populated as the name of the schedule. You can edit
the name as you choose.

Figure 13: Scheduling Stories

Configure the schedule as follows:

1. In the Start field, choose to specify the start date and the time that you want the
schedule to run.

Note:
You can also directly enter the date and time in the Start field and provide a
future date in a valid format.

2. Choose OK.

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

3. To add a recurrence, choose Add Recurrence.

The Recurrence Settings dialog appears.
You can set the recurrence pattern on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis.
For weekly recurrence, select the day(s) of the week that you want to schedule the story
and set the start date.

4. To end the recurrence, select the relevant option from the End Recurrence by drop-down
menu.
You can end the recurrence based on the end date or the number of repetitions. You can
also choose the No End option to set the schedule to run for 365 days, after which it ends
and a new schedule needs to be created.

5. Choose OK.

6. Choose a file type.

Note:
The only file types available are .pdf and .pptx.

7. Enter the subject (mandatory) of the email in the Subject field.

8. In the Message field, enter an optional message.

9. If you want to include a link to the story in the email, choose Include Story Link.

10. You can customize the stories you want to schedule. Choose the recipients, and choose
between different story views from either the global bookmarks or your personal
bookmarks in the Distribution menu.

● To add the name of the users and teams within SAP Analytics Cloud, either enter the
names or choose the Add Users or Teams icon in the input field.

● Enter the email address(es) of the non-SAP Analytics Cloud recipient(s) separated by a
comma.

Note:
You are limited to 3 non-SAP Analytics Cloud recipients.

● Choose a story view from the Story View field.

● To edit the prompt values, choose Edit Prompts. The Set Variables dialog box appears.
Set the values of the variables and choose Set.

Note:
By default, the prompt values that were defined while creating the story will be
considered if you do not edit them while scheduling.

11. Optionally, edit the name of the file in the File Name field.

12. To edit the file settings, choose File Settings.

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 Lesson: Managing Files

13. To add another view, choose Add Another View.

14. Choose Create.

Figure 14: Configure the Scheduling Options

Note:
Due to the limit of scheduled publications per hour, which is based on your license,
you might notice unavailable slots for your current schedule. In such a scenario, a
warning message is displayed with the unavailable slots.
The maximum size limit of the email message is 12 MB.

Distribute using Email

If you choose to distribute your publication using email, the recipient will receive an email
from your SAP Analytics Cloud user. The figure Generated Email shows an example of an
email message with the story distributed as a PowerPoint presentation.

Figure 15: Generated Email

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

Managing existing schedules is done in the SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar area, covered later
in this course.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Manage and share files.

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 Unit 1
Lesson 3
Using SAP Analytics Cloud Terminology

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Explain SAP Analytics Cloud terminology.

Terminology

Figure 16: SAP Analytics Cloud Terminology

While there are many terms unique to SAP Analytics Cloud, here are a few that you will
encounter regularly, both in this course and in your day-to-day activities with SAP Analytics
Cloud.

Canvas page
A canvas page is a blank canvas allowing you to add any story elements anywhere on the
page. The page is a fixed height and width, no matter what device, or size of device, is
being used to view the story.
Connection
A connection is fundamental to communicating between SAP Analytics Cloud and a
specific data source. System administrators create connections to the specific data
sources for your stories and analytic applications.
Data Analyzer

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Unit 1: Getting Started with SAP Analytics Cloud

Data analyzer is a predefined ready-to-run application for Live SAP BW queries, Live SAP
HANA views, SAP Datasphere models, and SAP Analytics Cloud models for ad-hoc
analysis. Data analyzer is limited to a tabular view or very basic charts of the data, but
there is a filter area and a builder panel with navigation capabilities to add and remove
dimensions and measures to and from the table and create calculated measures. In
addition, a menu bar gives you a Refresh option and an Edit Prompts dialog, in case your
data source is designed for setting prompts.
Digital Boardroom
Digital Boardroom is a place to design an interactive boardroom presentation with access
to real-time data, allowing you to make fact-based decisions to drive your business. In
addition to exploring directly on live data to discover relationships and drill into details,
you can plan and simulate the effects of different assumptions and actions visually using
value-driver trees.
Model
A model is a representation of specific business data of an organization or business
segment. A model is the basis for stories and analytic applications.
Planning
Planning in general is all about setting strategic goals and then determining how to meet
those goals by creating budgets, tracking progress in forecasts, and simulating scenarios
to find new opportunities. Planning functionality within SAP Analytics Cloud enables you
to perform all these activities in one simple interface.
Responsive page
A responsive page is a story page that will adjust the size and location of the elements on
the page depending on the device, or size of device, being used to view the story.
Story
A story lets you explore data interactively to find insights, visualize information with
charts and tables, and share, present, and comment on your findings with colleagues. It
can be either dynamic, with many interactive elements, or very static, with little to no
interaction capabilities.
Widget
Widget is a generic term that refers to any element added to a story or analytic
application. A chart or table is a widget, as is a text box or image. There are many widgets
available to add to stories.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Explain SAP Analytics Cloud terminology.

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 Unit 1

Learning Assessment

1. SAP Analytics Cloud includes Enterprise Planning, Augmented Analytics, Enterprise

Platform Services, and Business Intelligence. True or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

2. You want to use the embedded help function in SAP Analytics Cloud to support you. What
is offered by the embedded help?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Guided help tutorials

X B Live chat with experts

X C Videos

X D Chatbot

3. The Data Access Language option determines the preferred language for which areas of
SAP Analytics Cloud?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Imported Data

X B Live Data

X C Text

X D Help

4. In the SAP Analytics Cloud Catalog, what access do you have to the files?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Read/Write

X B Edit

X C View

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Unit 1: Learning Assessment

5. What are the three primary access levels you can assign when sharing files?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Read Only

X B View

X C Read/Write

X D Edit

X E Full Control

6. When scheduling a publication, what are the two file type options?
Choose the correct answers.

X A .pdf

X B .pptx

X C .csv

X D .txt

7. When you are scheduling, to how many non-SAP Analytics Cloud recipients can you
distribute?
Choose the correct answer.

X A 100

X B 3

X C 33

8. Your users need a story where the pages adjust the size and location of the elements on
the page depending on the device, or size of device, being used to view the story. What
page type should you use?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Responsive

X B Canvas

X C Grid

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 Unit 1

Learning Assessment - Answers

1. SAP Analytics Cloud includes Enterprise Planning, Augmented Analytics, Enterprise

Platform Services, and Business Intelligence. True or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

SAP Analytics Cloud includes Enterprise Planning, Augmented Analytics, Enterprise

Platform Services, and Business Intelligence.

2. You want to use the embedded help function in SAP Analytics Cloud to support you. What
is offered by the embedded help?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Guided help tutorials

X B Live chat with experts

X C Videos

X D Chatbot

The SAP Analytics Cloud embedded help function includes guided help tutorials, videos,
and classical help documents, but no live chat or chatbot.

3. The Data Access Language option determines the preferred language for which areas of
SAP Analytics Cloud?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Imported Data

X B Live Data

X C Text

X D Help

The Data Access Language option determines the preferred language for Live Data and
Text but not imported data or help.

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Unit 1: Learning Assessment - Answers

4. In the SAP Analytics Cloud Catalog, what access do you have to the files?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Read/Write

X B Edit

X C View

The Catalog provides only View access to files.

5. What are the three primary access levels you can assign when sharing files?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Read Only

X B View

X C Read/Write

X D Edit

X E Full Control

The access levels available when sharing are View, Edit, Full Control, and Custom.

6. When scheduling a publication, what are the two file type options?
Choose the correct answers.

X A .pdf

X B .pptx

X C .csv

X D .txt

When scheduling a publication, the file types available are .pdf , .pptx, and .csv.

7. When you are scheduling, to how many non-SAP Analytics Cloud recipients can you
distribute?
Choose the correct answer.

X A 100

X B 3

X C 33

You can distribute to only 3 non-SAP Analytics Cloud recipients.

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 Unit 1: Learning Assessment - Answers

8. Your users need a story where the pages adjust the size and location of the elements on
the page depending on the device, or size of device, being used to view the story. What
page type should you use?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Responsive

X B Canvas

X C Grid

A responsive page adjusts the size and location of the elements on the page depending on
the device, or size of device, being used to view the story.

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Unit 1: Learning Assessment - Answers

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 UNIT 2 Establishing Data Sources and
Connections

Lesson 1
Explaining Data Sources and Connections 29

Lesson 2
Creating Insights Using Data Analyzer 31

UNIT OBJECTIVES

● Differentiate between the SAP Analytics Cloud connections and data sources.
● Analyze data in a simple interface.

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Unit 2: Establishing Data Sources and Connections

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 Unit 2
Lesson 1
Explaining Data Sources and Connections

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Differentiate between the SAP Analytics Cloud connections and data sources.

Data Connection Options

Connections provide the communication between SAP Analytics Cloud and your data
sources. Those data sources can be cloud-based or on-premise.
A connection must be made to a specific data source, so if you have more than one data
source, you will have more than one connection in SAP Analytics Cloud.
There are two types of connections – live and import.

Live Connections
With a live connection:
● The data is stored exclusively in your source system.
● No data is stored in SAP Analytics Cloud, enabling you to keep data off the cloud for
security or privacy reasons.
● Security in the source system controls data access.

Currently, only SAP data sources/systems can be accessed using a live connection:
● SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC)
● SAP BW and BW/4HANA
● SAP Datasphere
● SAP HANA and HANA Cloud
● SAP S/4HANA and S/4HANA Cloud
● SAP Universe or WebI document

Import Connections
With an import connection:
● The data is copied from your source system to SAP Analytics Cloud.
● The data resides in two places – the original in your source system and the duplicated data
in SAP Analytics Cloud – and changes made to the data in the source system do not affect
the imported data.

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Unit 2: Establishing Data Sources and Connections

● Security in SAP Analytics Cloud controls data access.

Import connections can connect to many data sources/systems, even non-SAP such as
Google Drive, SQL databases, OData Services, and more.

Additional Information
Your organization must decide which connection type to use, according to your own unique
needs. As you evaluate which connection type to use, consider the following criteria:
● Functional needs
● Data privacy constraints
● Data volume constraints

It is also important to review the system requirements and technical prerequisites, and to
check whether your landscape is compliant with what is supported for your version and
connection type.
For more information, see: The SAP Analytics Cloud System Requirements and Technical
Prerequisites

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Differentiate between the SAP Analytics Cloud connections and data sources.

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 Unit 2
Lesson 2
Creating Insights Using Data Analyzer

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Analyze data in a simple interface.

Use Data Analyzer to Create an Insight

Data analyzer is a predefined ready-to-run service for SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW)
queries, SAP HANA live views, SAP Datasphere models, and SAP Analytics Cloud models for
ad hoc analysis.
All SAP BW queries, SAP HANA live views, and SAP Datasphere models can be accessed
directly in the Select Data Source dialog, and no additional model is created.

Figure 17: Data Analyzer

Data Analyzer User Interface

Data Analyzer provides either a tabular or chart view of your data, a filter area, and a builder
panel with drag-and-drop capabilities to add and remove dimensions and measures from the
table. In addition, you have a menu bar with a Refresh option and an Edit Prompts dialog (if
your data source is designed for setting prompts). Finally, you can create calculated
measures to enhance your analysis. These calculations exist only in the insight and are not
transferred to the data source.

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Unit 2: Establishing Data Sources and Connections

Figure 18: Data Analyzer - User Interface

After you have drilled down to the data details according to your needs and analyzed your
data, you might want to save this insight. For this, choose Save in the upper left corner of Data
Analyzer. In the Save Insight dialog, select the file location for your insight and enter a name
and description for it.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Analyze data in a simple interface.

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 Unit 2

Learning Assessment

1. In SAP Analytics Cloud you use an import connection to an SAP ERP system. Your
colleague says that no data is stored in SAP Analytics Cloud. Is the statement of your
colleague true or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

2. With a live data connection, where is the data security defined?

Choose the correct answer.

X A Data security is defined in SAP Analytics Cloud.

X B Data security is defined in the connection created in SAP Analytics Cloud.

X C Data security is defined in the source system.

3. What are the data sources for Data Analyzer?

Choose the correct answers.

X A SAP BW Queries

X B SAP HANA Live Views

X C SAP Datasphere

X D CSV files

X E Microsoft Excel files

X F SAP Analytics Cloud Models

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Unit 2: Learning Assessment

4. You use Data Analyzer for a quick analysis of data, and you save your analysis results.
What is the file type?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Insight

X B Application

X C Table

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 Unit 2

Learning Assessment - Answers

1. In SAP Analytics Cloud you use an import connection to an SAP ERP system. Your
colleague says that no data is stored in SAP Analytics Cloud. Is the statement of your
colleague true or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

With an import connection, data is duplicated from the on-premise datasource and stored
in SAP Analytics Cloud.

2. With a live data connection, where is the data security defined?

Choose the correct answer.

X A Data security is defined in SAP Analytics Cloud.

X B Data security is defined in the connection created in SAP Analytics Cloud.

X C Data security is defined in the source system.

With a live connection data security is defined in the source system.

3. What are the data sources for Data Analyzer?

Choose the correct answers.

X A SAP BW Queries

X B SAP HANA Live Views

X C SAP Datasphere

X D CSV files

X E Microsoft Excel files

X F SAP Analytics Cloud Models

The data sources for Data Analyzer are SAP BW queries, SAP HANA Live views, SAP
Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud models.

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Unit 2: Learning Assessment - Answers

4. You use Data Analyzer for a quick analysis of data, and you save your analysis results.
What is the file type?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Insight

X B Application

X C Table

Data Analyzer saves an Insight.

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 UNIT 3 Using Modeling

Lesson 1
Explaining Modeling Options 39

Lesson 2
Exploring Model Data Sources 45

Lesson 3
Creating a Basic Model 49

UNIT OBJECTIVES

● Differentiate between dimensions, models, and datasets.

● Describe the key elements of import and acquired data.
● Create a live model.

© Copyright. All rights reserved. 37

Unit 3: Using Modeling

38 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 3
Lesson 1
Explaining Modeling Options

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Differentiate between dimensions, models, and datasets.

Dimensions
Dimensions represent categories that provide perspective on your numeric data; for example,
product category, date, region, cost center, and so on. Dimensions can contain properties
that further describe a dimension. For example, you may have a dimension for customer
which has properties such as phone number and address to further describe the customer
dimension.
Dimensions can also be rolled up into a hierarchical view; for example, time (year, quarter,
month), geography (country, region, location), employee structure (executive, manager,
employee), and so on.
Measures represent the numeric values that you are analyzing; for example, sales revenue,
salary, number of employees, quantity sold, and so on. Sometimes these quantities are
contained in a single dimension referred to as an Account type dimension (and probably with
the name Account, or something similar). In this situation, the numeric values represent the
line items on a corporate balance sheet, income statement, profit/loss statement, and so on.
But you can also present the numeric values as individual elements called Measures.
Together, dimensions and measures are the framework for viewing data, whether it be a trend
line of revenue over time or a tabular comparison of gross margin across different regions.

Models
Models are comprised of dimensions and measures and represent a specific subset of data;
for example, sales, production, financial, shipping, etc.
Models are the primary data sources for SAP Analytics Cloud stories.
In SAP Analytics Cloud there are two styles of models:
● Analytic model: read-only
● Planning model: read/write

We will look at each style in more detail in the next concepts.

The Modeler

The Modeler area of SAP Analytics Cloud is where you create models. According to your
data integration strategy, you can create a new model one of 2 ways:

1. Create a model

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Unit 3: Using Modeling

2. Create a live data model

Figure 19: Data Preparation: Basic Modeling

Analytic Models
An analytic model is used strictly for read-only data reporting and analysis. A date dimension
is available but is not required, and you can remove it from the model during the design stage.
Why is a date dimension optional? One scenario is that the model represents only current
data. Because users know the data is always "current," there is no need for a date dimension.

Figure 20: Example of an Analytic Model

Planning Models
Planning models are pre-configured with required dimensions for Date and Version. These
dimensions are required because planning activities are dictated by time frames, and the
planning numbers are intended for different purposes – budget, forecast, and planning.
Planning models offer support for security features at both the model level and dimension
level.
When working with a planning model in a story, users with planning permissions can create
their own versions of model data. These users can also write data to the model by typing new
values, copying and pasting data, and using data actions.

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 Lesson: Explaining Modeling Options

Figure 21: Example of a Planning Model

Datasets
A dataset is a simple collection of data usually presented in a tabular format. You can use a
dataset as the basis for a story.

Figure 22: Example of a Dataset

Types of Datasets
SAP Analytics Cloud has two types of datasets:

1. Embedded: Embedded datasets are embedded into a story and are unique to that story.
They cannot be shared outside the story or refreshed.

2. Public: Public datasets are standalone datasets and can be shared among different
stories.

Both types of datasets can be enhanced with basic data preparation and transformation
functionality.

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Unit 3: Using Modeling

Neither dataset can be scheduled for a refresh; you must manually re-import the updated
data. SAP Analytics Cloud automatically matches the columns of the newly acquired data to
the columns of the existing data, but any prior data transformations will be lost.
If you import data from a flat file, you can only re-import a compatible file: a file that has the
same number of columns as the original file, and with the same column names and data types
as in the original file.
Both datasets can be secured to allow users access to the dataset or not. Specific column-
based or property security, however, is not supported for any datasets.

Converting Datasets
You can convert an embedded dataset to a public dataset. However, a limitation to a public
dataset is that you cannot change its data source. For example, if your public dataset was
originally created from a flat file but you now want to use an SAP Business Warehouse query,
you have no option to make that change. Embedded datasets, on the other hand, do allow you
to change the data source via the Add New Data option.
You can also convert an embedded dataset into a model, but any transformations you made
to the dataset are lost and must be recreated in the model. A public dataset, however, cannot
be converted to a model.

Compare Datasets and Models

Overall, datasets and models complement each other. Datasets are perfect for ad hoc,
ungoverned use cases based on acquired data. Models are used when the use case requires
more governed data analysis and planning scenarios.

Figure 23: Choosing Between Datasets and Models

Here is a summary of the differences between datasets and models.

Datasets Models
For simple, quick, ad hoc data analysis For formal, governed data analysis

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 Lesson: Explaining Modeling Options

Datasets Models
Can access live data only from on-premise Can access many live SAP data sources
SAP HANA
Does not support planning use cases Supported for planning use cases

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Differentiate between dimensions, models, and datasets.

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Unit 3: Using Modeling

44 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 3
Lesson 2
Exploring Model Data Sources

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Describe the key elements of import and acquired data.

Live Data
We have already discussed live versus import connections. Models use those connections to
reflect specific data from that data source. A live model simply uses a live connection for the
data it represents.
Since a live connection merely provides access to data, there is no data contained in a SAP
Analytics Cloud live model. The model only points to the specific data in the live data source.
In addition, you cannot write data to the model (because doing so would really be writing back
to the original source system), so live models are analytic models. The single exception is a
live model to SAP BPC Embedded, but that is outside the scope of this course.
Because only SAP sources can be accessed using a live connection, a live model reflects only
SAP data.

Note:
SAP Datasphere requires a connection be created in SAP Analytics Cloud, but no
SAP Analytics Cloud model is necessary. Stories can access SAP Datasphere data
directly.

Create a Live Model

The process of creating a live model to any SAP source is very simple:

1. From the Navigation Bar choose Modeler.

Note:
You may need to choose the . . . More option.

2. Select Live Data Model.

3. Choose the appropriate System Type, Connection, and Data Source in the Create Model
from Live Data Connection dialog box. Remember, the Connection and Data Source are
unique to your organization.

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Unit 3: Using Modeling

Figure 24: Live Model Required Fields

4. View the measures and dimensions.

5. Save the model.

Acquired Data
An import model uses an import connection to import (copy) data from a source database or
system into the SAP Analytics Cloud model. This means that there are always two versions of
the data – one version in the original data source and the copy in SAP Analytics Cloud.
Because the data is copied into the model, if the original data source changes, the changes
are NOT reflected in the model. As it is very likely that data in the original data source changes
regularly, you can schedule the import process to occur on a regular basis in order to keep the
model data in sync with the original data source.

Figure 25: Schedule Data Import

In addition to being able to schedule the data import process, you can also manipulate the
data in the SAP Analytics Cloud model. It is a copy, so none of the manipulations are reflected
in the original data source. The data preparation interface is user-friendly and fairly intuitive.

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 Lesson: Exploring Model Data Sources

Modeling Work Flow

Modeling Work Flow
Regardless of the style of model (analytic versus planning) or type of model (live versus
import), the overall modeling work flow is the same.

1. Identify your data sources

2. Decide to acquire data, use live data, or both. Things to consider in this decision include:

● Performance

● Security

● Planning

● Smart Predict

● Necessary data wrangling

3. Create connections in SAP Analytics Cloud

4. For live data, create live models

5. For imported data

● Create dimensions and import mast data

● Create models and import transaction data

6. Create stories

Note:
For both model types – live or import – most data preparation should be done
within the original source database/system, including data optimization and data
enhancement, before using the data in SAP Analytics Cloud.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Describe the key elements of import and acquired data.

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Unit 3: Using Modeling

48 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 3
Lesson 3
Creating a Basic Model

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Create a live model.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Create a live model.

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Unit 3: Using Modeling

50 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 3

Learning Assessment

1. In SAP Analytics Cloud, into which elements can you import data?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Dimensions

X B Stories

X C Models

X D Datasets

2. What elements make up the framework for viewing data in SAP Analytics Cloud?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Dimensions

X B Allocations

X C Properties

X D Measures

3. What are the styles of models?

Choose the correct answers.

X A On-premise

X B Analytic

X C Planning

X D Live

4. A model where the data is read-only must contain a date dimension.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

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Unit 3: Learning Assessment

5. A dataset can have column-based security applied to it.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

6. What are the types of datasets in SAP Analytics Cloud?

Choose the correct answers.

X A Embedded

X B Public

X C Live

X D Import

7. Which data source does not require a model be created for it in SAP Analytics Cloud for
use in stories?
Choose the correct answer.

X A SAP Datasphere

X B Microsoft SharePoint

X C SAP Business Warehouse (BW)

8. It is possible to concatenate a First Name dimension with a Last Name dimension into one
Full Name dimension in a live model.
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

9. With an import model, when changes happen in the original data source, what happens in
the SAP Analytic Model?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Only the changes in the original data source are transferred to the model;
unchanged data is not transferred.

X B All data in the original data source is transferred to the model, including unchanged
data.

X C Nothing. The changes in the original data source are not reflected in the model.

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 Unit 3: Learning Assessment

10. An automatic time determination in a story needs a preconfigured time dimension.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

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 Unit 3

Learning Assessment - Answers

1. In SAP Analytics Cloud, into which elements can you import data?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Dimensions

X B Stories

X C Models

X D Datasets

In SAP Analytics Cloud, data can be imported in dimensions, models, and datasets. In a
story, data is imported into a dataset not directly into the story.

2. What elements make up the framework for viewing data in SAP Analytics Cloud?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Dimensions

X B Allocations

X C Properties

X D Measures

Dimensions and measures are the framework for viewing data.

3. What are the styles of models?

Choose the correct answers.

X A On-premise

X B Analytic

X C Planning

X D Live

In SAP Analytics Cloud there are two styles of models: Analytic and Planning.

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 Unit 3: Learning Assessment - Answers

4. A model where the data is read-only must contain a date dimension.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

A date dimension is optional in a model that is read-only.

5. A dataset can have column-based security applied to it.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

Specific column-based or property security is not supported for any datasets.

6. What are the types of datasets in SAP Analytics Cloud?

Choose the correct answers.

X A Embedded

X B Public

X C Live

X D Import

SAP Analytics Cloud has two types of datasets: Embedded and Public.

7. Which data source does not require a model be created for it in SAP Analytics Cloud for
use in stories?
Choose the correct answer.

X A SAP Datasphere

X B Microsoft SharePoint

X C SAP Business Warehouse (BW)

SAP Datasphere requires a connection be created in SAP Analytics Cloud, but no SAP
Analytics Cloud model is necessary.

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Unit 3: Learning Assessment - Answers

8. It is possible to concatenate a First Name dimension with a Last Name dimension into one
Full Name dimension in a live model.
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

You cannot manipulate any data in the model; any data manipulation must be done in the
source database/system.

9. With an import model, when changes happen in the original data source, what happens in
the SAP Analytic Model?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Only the changes in the original data source are transferred to the model;
unchanged data is not transferred.

X B All data in the original data source is transferred to the model, including unchanged
data.

X C Nothing. The changes in the original data source are not reflected in the model.

Changes in the original data source are not reflected in the model.

10. An automatic time determination in a story needs a preconfigured time dimension.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

Without a preconfigured time dimension, an automatic time determination is not possible.

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 UNIT 4 Using Basic and Advanced
Stories

Lesson 1
Viewing and Interacting with a Story 59

Lesson 2
Building Simple Stories 65

Lesson 3
Working with Microsoft Add-ins 71

Lesson 4
Scripting Advanced Stories 75

UNIT OBJECTIVES

● View and interact with a story.

● Build a simple story.
● Describe the Microsoft Office integration options to SAP Analytics Cloud stories.
● Create an advanced story using scripting.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

58 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 4
Lesson 1
Viewing and Interacting with a Story

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● View and interact with a story.

SAP Analytics Cloud Stories

An SAP Analytics Cloud story is the primary data reporting and analysis medium. It is often
referred to as a report or a dashboard because it can consist of detailed tables, highly visual
charts, interactive elements, or a combination of these options.

Figure 26: Sample SAP Analytics Cloud story

The figure Sample SAP Analytics Cloud Story shows you different views of an SAP Analytics
Cloud story.

Working Modes
All SAP Analytics Cloud stories have three working modes: View, Edit, and Presentation.

View Mode
When you open a story, you default to View mode. In this mode, you have very limited
functionality and cannot change the story other than with any interactive elements designed
in the story. It is similar to read-only in other applications.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

Figure 27: Story in View Mode

Edit Mode
In Edit mode, you have full control over the design of the story. You can add elements to the
story, including new pages. You can rearrange elements in the story. You can change or add
interactivity to the story, and more.
The following is an example of a story in Edit mode.

Figure 28: Story in Edit Mode

Note:
We will cover story editing options in more detail later in this course.

Presentation Mode
InPresentation mode, you can create flexible and fluid presentations using the presentation
viewer.
Objects used for this retain their interactivity and functionality. They replace static
presentations and information with interactive elements based on real data, allowing fact-
based decisions to be made.
The presentation mode allows you to answer questions through direct analysis of current
data, planning visually, and simulating the effects of various assumptions and actions.

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 Lesson: Viewing and Interacting with a Story

Figure 29: Story in Presentation Mode

Figure 30: Story in Presentation Mode

Bookmarks
You can create bookmarks to save different states of a story.
When viewing a story, you may want to come back to the same view of the data every time, or
you may want to set up different states or scenarios. For example, you have several pages in
your story that have filters or prompts applied to them. You do not want to spend time
resetting all of them each time you want to see a different scenario. You would like to open the
story, see one scenario, and then quickly switch to another scenario.
● Bookmarks can be either private or global. You can always save a private bookmark, but
you need appropriate authorization to save a global bookmark.
● Bookmarks only include filters and prompts.
● Bookmarks can be shared.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

Figure 31: Bookmarks

Note:
When you create a bookmark, you can choose Customize Link in order to provide a
meaningful label at the end of the URL.

Export a Story
In either View or Edit mode of a story, you can export the entire story to either a .pdf, .pptx, or
Google Slides file type from the File menu.

Figure 32: Export Story

Note that from the File menu, there is no option to export to .csv, .xls, or .xlsx file types. The
export process is strictly a presentation format.
There are options for exporting the story's data in other areas of the story elements. We will
note some of these options in the More Actions Button concept below.

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 Lesson: Viewing and Interacting with a Story

More Actions Button

More Options
In many areas of SAP Analytics Cloud, you have More options than can be displayed in the
interface.
In some situations, seeing a More option depends on your screen size and resolution as well
as your browser's zoom setting. In other words, if you have a large monitor, your browser
window may be large enough to display all the possible options you have.

Figure 33: Sample of the More Options Locations

More Actions

While viewing and editing a story, however, there is a More Actions button available for

every element of a story (charts, tables, filtering devices, text, images, and so on). This option
provides you with many more design- and object-related options than the story can
practically display.
You can think of the More Actions button as being similar to a context or quick menu you
access by right-clicking an object.

Figure 34: More Actions for a Chart and a Table

The figure More Actions for a Chart and a Table illustrates the More Actions options for two
story elements while editing a story. When viewing a story, there are fewer options.
Included in the More Actions button for charts, tables, and other data-dependent story
elements is the option to export data to a .csv or .xlsx file. Unlike the export option for the

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

entire story, which exports only to .pdf, .pptx, or Google Slides files, the More Actions export
option exports the data reflected in the object.

Figure 35: Export Data from More Actions

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● View and interact with a story.

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 Unit 4
Lesson 2
Building Simple Stories

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Build a simple story.

Story Design
How to Start a Story
When creating a new story, you have the option to start with a blank page or choose from one
of SAP's pre-formatted templates. These templates can be used from content predefined by
SAP, or created by your company.

Figure 36: How to Start a Story

When you create a story, you can add and edit pages and page elements as you like. The story
toolbar is divided into different categories such as File, Insert, Data, and Tools to help you find
options and perform tasks more efficiently.

Story Page Types

When creating SAP Analytics Cloud stories, you have different page types from which to
choose:
● Responsive: Required for viewing on mobile devices; dynamically changes layout
depending on the viewer's monitor/screen size.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

● Canvas: A fixed page size that does not change, no matter the size of the viewer's monitor
size.
● Grid: A table-only page that is available only in the Classic Design Experience and will not
be available in the Optimized Design Experience.

Classic Design and Optimized Design

When you create a story, you are prompted to choose Classic Design Experience or
Optimized Design Experience mode:

Figure 37: Classic Design or Optimized Design?

SAP encourages you to use Optimized Design Experience mode. The Optimized Design
Experience includes many usability and performance improvements and is the prerequisite
for future story enhancements. There are a set of features that may not be available at this
time as SAP continues to enhance the Optimized Design Experience mode; however, these
and other new features are being added with each quarterly release and will be made available
only in the Optimized Story Experience. Furthermore, it will be the new default experience in
future releases.
The Classic Design Experience is still be available but will be phased out. It provides access to
features developed prior to Q2 2022. However, it will not receive any performance,
functionality, or usability enhancements.
There are also Classic Design Experience elements that will not be available at all in the
Optimized Design Experience because there are more suitable substitutes. These elements
include the following:
● Explorer: Replaced by Data Analyzer as the new exploration tool.
● Grid Pages: Replaced by the Optimized Presentation table option within Responsive and
Canvas Pages.
● Old SAP HANA and SAP BW Versions: Always use the latest SAP BW and SAP HANA
version to ensure that you have the latest performance and feature functionality in SAP
Analytics Cloud.

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 Lesson: Building Simple Stories

Note:
Classic Stories are being phased out. We recommend that you create your Story
in the Optimized Design Experience.

Note:
For the most current information on what features are available with each design
experience mode, always refer to the SAP Help in your current SAP Analytics
Cloud tenant.

Guidelines for Data Visualization

There is no right or wrong way to tell a story; that is entirely up to you.
There are, however, general design principles that can help you create meaningful, attractive
stories that provide useful information.
● Choose direction: Define the importance of your visualizations.
● Keep it simple: Ensure a user-friendly experience for viewers.
● Follow general reading direction: Follow either left-to-right or right-to-left as appropriate
for the audience.
● Group information logically: Locate similar topics adjacent to each other.

Data Sources for a Story

Once you have a blank page in your story, you will want to add widgets to visualize the data in
your story. The simplest option is to choose either a chart or a table to add to your page.
Select either option from the story menu bar: Chart or Table (or, depending on your
screen resolution, you may need to select the … More option in the menu bar and select from
there).
With either choice, you will be prompted to choose a data source, either a dataset or model to
browse to and select or a SAP Datasphere model. You will probably choose a model most
often.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

Figure 38: Choose a Data Source

Left Side Panel

When creating a story, users have the option to use the horizontal menu options at the top of
the screen or the Left Side Panel. The panel can be toggled on and off from the Left Side Panel
button in the View menu option.

At the top of the Left Side Panel users can select three different options:

1. Assets: All elements available in the horizontal menu can also be added to the story from
the left side panel.

2. Outline: Access story settings, pages, and scripting.

3. Filters: View and apply story filters.

When elements are added from the horizontal menu, SAP Analytics Cloud positions them on
the screen. With the Left Side Panel, users can position the widgets or other elements in the
exact position they require as displayed in the following example.

Figure 39: Left Side Panel

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 Lesson: Building Simple Stories

Builder and Styling Panels

Build Your Chart or Table
Next, you will build your chart or table. You may need to toggle the Right Side Panel button in
the View area of the ribbon to access the Builder panel.

Figure 40: Right Side Panel from the View Area of the Ribbon

When you are in the Builder panel, you simply add the appropriate data to the various
elements of the widget.

Figure 41: Builder Panel

The Builder panel, however, is only half of the entire panel. The other half is the Styling
panel, which provides many formatting options for every component of the story, including
the page itself.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

Figure 42: Styling Panel

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Build a simple story.

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 Unit 4
Lesson 3
Working with Microsoft Add-ins

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Describe the Microsoft Office integration options to SAP Analytics Cloud stories.

Microsoft Office Integration with SAP Analytics Cloud

SAP Add-Ins to Microsoft Office
Rather than using SAP Analytics Cloud stories for data analysis, planning, and presentation,
you can use SAP add-ins to Microsoft Office.
The SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to you to embed SAP
Analytics Cloud widgets in your PowerPoint presentation.
The SAP Analytics Cloud, add-In for Microsoft Excel and SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office
enable you to use Excel to format, analyze, and enrich your SAP Analytics Cloud data.
You can insert one or several models in a workbook. Then you can add or remove dimensions
and measures to analyze your data. You can also add totals in rows and columns to your
table. In your analysis, you can use dimensions with hierarchies applied. You can expand and
collapse the hierarchy nodes within the table.
There are also several formula functions provided that can be used for filtering, reading meta
data, and creating cell-based reports. For example, SAP.GETDATA returns the data value for
a specified set of dimension and member combinations.
Finally, both add-ins accommodate planning capabilities, such as:
● Write-back
● Revert
● Publish
● View changed cells with automatic highlighting
● Add filters, subtotals, navigation attributes, properties

You can download all of the add-ins from the Microsoft Office store.

SAP Analytics Cloud, Add-In for Microsoft Excel

With SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Excel, you can bring your SAP Analytics Cloud
data into Microsoft Excel and continue your analysis there. In this example, you can see the
additional SAP Analytics Cloud tab displayed in the Microsoft Excel ribbon as well as sample
formula functions available.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

Figure 43: Cell-based formulas in the SAP Analytics Cloud add-in

Additional Information
SAP Analytics Cloud, add-In for Microsoft Excel is covered in more detail in the Creating and
Working with Microsoft Excel Workbooks Using the SAP Analytics Cloud, Add-in for Microsoft
Excel learning journey.

SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office

SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office, commonly referred to as Analysis for Office, is a Microsoft
Office add-in that allows multidimensional analysis of SAP data sources, including SAP
Analytics Cloud. It consists of the following plug-ins:
● Analysis
● Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)

Figure 44: Live Connection from SAP Analytics Cloud to SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office

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 Lesson: Working with Microsoft Add-ins

Note:
While SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office can also be used to plan on SAP Analytics
Cloud data, all future development regarding SAP Analytics Cloud will be on the
SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Excel.

Additional Information
The SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office add-in is covered in more detail in the Discovering SAP
Analysis for Microsoft Office learning journey.

SAP Analytics Cloud, Add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint

SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint is web-based and available with both
PowerPoint for Web on Windows and Mac.
Once you connect to your SAP Analytics Cloud tenant and have added a widget to your
PowerPoint slide, you can refresh the widget's data at any time. There is no need to go back to
SAP Analytics Cloud to copy the information and paste it into your slide each time there is an
update to the data.
Using the add-in, you can easily find SAP Analytics Cloud stories and associated widgets, filter
widget data as required, and add widgets to your PowerPoint slide.

Figure 45: SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint

Note:
An SAP Analytics Cloud license is required to access data with the SAP Analytics
Cloud, add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint

To Use the SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel

1. Log on to Microsoft Office 365 with your Microsoft Office user ID and password.

2. In Microsoft Office, choose the Excel icon on the left.

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

3. Create a new workbook.

4. If the SAP Analytics tab does not appear, follow these steps: Insert → Office Add-
ins → Store → Search for SAP → Choose Add.

5. On the SAP Analytics Cloud tab, choose Log On.

6. In the pane on the right, paste in your tenant URL and choose Go!

7. Log on to your SAP Analytics Cloud tenant.

8. Add a table that is based on one of your imported models and choose OK.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Describe the Microsoft Office integration options to SAP Analytics Cloud stories.

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 Unit 4
Lesson 4
Scripting Advanced Stories

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Create an advanced story using scripting.

Advanced Scripted Stories

While you can use SAP Analytics Cloud story design capabilities for the majority of your
reporting, dashboard, and planning needs, you may need to work with developers in your IT
organization to create more custom stories.
Stories can incorporate scripting so that developers can create a highly customized and
interactive experience for story viewers. However, a story can also be scripted to have even
less functionality than a standard SAP Analytics Cloud story, for example, removing all
context menu options.
The broad range of customization options (from very static to highly interactive) possible
through scripting options when editing a story.

Scripting Capabilities
The scripting language used for stories is a subset of JavaScript. The JavaScript Script Editor
in the scripting environment is similar to other SAP editors. You can use Ctrl+Space to access
available functions and data to speed up your script writing. In addition, the editor provides
auto-complete and syntax check as you write.

Figure 46: Scripting Capabilities

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Unit 4: Using Basic and Advanced Stories

Extension Capabilities
Story design options are not limited to the defined set within the story builder. You can ask
developers to create custom widgets and R widgets to add even more visualization options to
your stories.

Figure 47: Extension Capabilities

Additional Information
Creating extended stories is covered in more detail in the Acquiring Basic Scripting Skills to
Extend Stories in SAP Analytics Cloud learning journey.
Creating R visualizations is covered more detail in the Create R Visualizations in SAP Analytics
Cloud | SAP Learning learning journey.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Create an advanced story using scripting.

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 Unit 4

Learning Assessment

1. You created a story and want to share it with an external agent, who does not have SAP
Analytics Cloud. You decide to export the story as a file. Which file type can be used?
Choose the correct answer.

X A .pdf

X B .xlsx

X C .html

X D .csv

2. You have created a story bookmark and your colleague asks you to share it with them. Can
you?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

3. What are the working modes of a story?

Choose the correct answers.

X A Data

X B Edit

X C Presentation

X D Story

X E View

4. For a story element, what is similar to a context menu?

Choose the correct answer.

X A Styling panel

X B More Actions button

X C Builder panel

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Unit 4: Learning Assessment

5. You need to export some data from your story into a .csv file. What do you do?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Choose a widget that displays data and use its More Actions menu.

X B From the File area of the menu bar, choose Export.

X C From the File area of the menu bar, choose Save as and change the file type to
CSV.

6. SAP encourages you to use the Classic Design Experience.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

7. You want to create a story with charts and need a data source to populate your charts with
data. Which option can be used as a data source?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Dataset

X B Model

X C Cube

X D InfoProvider

8. You have used the SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel for a business
intelligence data analysis. Your colleague says that you can also use the SAP Analytics
Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel for planning scenarios. Is the statement of your colleague
true or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

9. Your users want a static view of data with no user interactions at all. You can use scripting
to accomplish this.
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

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 Unit 4: Learning Assessment

10. What scripting language is used in the advanced story interface?

Choose the correct answer.

X A HTML5

X B JavaScript

X C Python

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 Unit 4

Learning Assessment - Answers

1. You created a story and want to share it with an external agent, who does not have SAP
Analytics Cloud. You decide to export the story as a file. Which file type can be used?
Choose the correct answer.

X A .pdf

X B .xlsx

X C .html

X D .csv

When sharing a story externally, the file type is pdf, pptx, or Google Slides.

2. You have created a story bookmark and your colleague asks you to share it with them. Can
you?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

Bookmarks can be shared.

3. What are the working modes of a story?

Choose the correct answers.

X A Data

X B Edit

X C Presentation

X D Story

X E View

All SAP Analytics Cloud stories have View, Edit, and Presentation working modes.

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 Unit 4: Learning Assessment - Answers

4. For a story element, what is similar to a context menu?

Choose the correct answer.

X A Styling panel

X B More Actions button

X C Builder panel

The More Actions button is similar to a context menu.

5. You need to export some data from your story into a .csv file. What do you do?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Choose a widget that displays data and use its More Actions menu.

X B From the File area of the menu bar, choose Export.

X C From the File area of the menu bar, choose Save as and change the file type to
CSV.

You choose a widget that displays data and use its More Actions menu.

6. SAP encourages you to use the Classic Design Experience.

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

You should use the Optimized Design Experience.

7. You want to create a story with charts and need a data source to populate your charts with
data. Which option can be used as a data source?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Dataset

X B Model

X C Cube

X D InfoProvider

The two possible data sources for a story are a Model and a Dataset.

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Unit 4: Learning Assessment - Answers

8. You have used the SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel for a business
intelligence data analysis. Your colleague says that you can also use the SAP Analytics
Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel for planning scenarios. Is the statement of your colleague
true or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

The SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Office is available for business intelligence
data analysis and for planning activities.

9. Your users want a static view of data with no user interactions at all. You can use scripting
to accomplish this.
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

A scripted story can be extremely static.

10. What scripting language is used in the advanced story interface?

Choose the correct answer.

X A HTML5

X B JavaScript

X C Python

JavaScript is the scripting language used in the advanced story design interface.

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 UNIT 5 Using Planning

Lesson 1
Describing Planning Features 85

UNIT OBJECTIVES

● Describe SAP Analytics Cloud planning features.

● Perform manual input planning tasks.

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Unit 5: Using Planning

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 Unit 5
Lesson 1
Describing Planning Features

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Describe SAP Analytics Cloud planning features.
● Perform manual input planning tasks.

Planning Functionality
Planning is all about setting strategic goals for a business and then determining how to meet
those goals by creating annual budgets, tracking progress in forecasts, and simulating
scenarios to find new opportunities. These plans are formed by projecting historical data
(known as Actuals) into the future, by gathering input from different departments, and by
considering trends, risks, and opportunities in the market.

Planning Case Study

The executive leadership of a bicycle manufacturer notices the growing demand for electric
bicycles, and decides to increase the sale of e-bicycles by 20 percent over the next three
years. In the upcoming year's budget, the Finance department determines the overall cost
and income resulting from this plan.
Planning activities are not restricted to executives and financial analysts. Departments across
the organization collaborate on the e-bike sales plan as follows:
● Sales managers set new quotas for their account executives, determine which geographic
areas will make up the increased sales, and incentivize e-bike sales with higher
commissions.
● The marketing department plans promotions and advertising campaigns to drive higher e-
bike sales.
● The operations department makes sure that the supply chain and manufacturing capacity
are available to increase e-bike inventory.
● HR plans to hire technicians who have experience with electric motors and to create new
training resources for existing staff.

These departmental plans each relate back to the central financial plan, and to the overall goal
set out by leadership. Successful plans often include input from many employees, not just
from finance experts.

Planning Features
SAP Analytics Cloud has many planning features that help you plan simpler and faster. These
features include the following:
● Data entry

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Unit 5: Using Planning

● Version management
● Data locking
● Data Actions
● Validation rules
● Validation Driver Trees
● Structured allocations

Note:
Users with BI licenses can do basic data entry on planning models and create
private versions. To publish versions or use planning tools, a planning license is
required. You can read all about features by license type for planning models.

In addition, SAP Analytics Cloud can be integrated with on-premise SAP planning systems,
allowing you to maintain your investment in an existing planning system and use SAP
Analytics Cloud as the front-end for planning activities.

Data Entry
Data entry is based around the table, where you can type relative or absolute values into
individual cells. You can copy cell values, along with all the data that aggregates up to the
copied value. You can plan at any level of a hierarchy, and the data will automatically be rolled
down to the lowest level.
When then data changes, the affected cells are shaded yellow, indicating the data entry
function is being used but not saved. Data entries can be tested before you save and publish
them.
You can type an absolute value in a cell, or type a relative value such as *2 or +500 to perform
simple mathematical calculations on existing data. For example, if the data value in a cell is
100, and you type *2 in the cell, the value will change to 200.

Version Management
When you are planning for all possibilities, it helps to understand how different plans relate to
each other and to your actuals data. Version management helps you to complete tasks such
as the following:
● Carry out variance analysis, such as making sure that your working forecast is on budget.
● Quickly explore, share, and publish different scenarios without losing sight of the original
data or introducing unnecessary complexity.
● Work on your own data until you are ready to publish.
● Try a change and undo/redo.
● Use the history to see what happened with the data.
● Roll a private version back to a previous state if you need to take a different direction.
● Revert all changes to the original values.

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 Lesson: Describing Planning Features

Figure 48: Using the Version Management Panel

Data Locking
With data locking, you can choose sections of data to lock when you are getting ready to close
your books. Each section can also be delegated to owners who can lock the data themselves,
or set the data to a restricted state where only the owners can edit it. You can then schedule
changes to data locks in the Calendar.

Figure 49: Setting Data Locks

Data Actions
With data actions, you can model sequences of copy-paste operations, allocation steps, and
advanced formulas. With advanced formulas, you model complex processes such as cash
flow planning, depreciation, and carry-forward operations. You can build these formulas using
a visual editor that does not require scripting knowledge, although a scripting engine is also
available for fine-tuning.
Copy operations make it easy to move data from one part of a model to another, or to a
different model. For example, if you have separate models for Headcount and Expense

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Unit 5: Using Planning

Planning, you can use a data action to copy data from those models into a central Finance
model.
To make your data actions more flexible and easier to update, you can also add parameters
that can be set while designing or running the data action. You can also run other data actions
as steps within your data action, letting you quickly reuse common calculations.
Planning users can run data actions in a story. Alternatively, you can use the Calendar to
schedule them to run automatically.

Figure 50: SAP Analytics Cloud Data Action Summary

SAP Analytics Cloud data actions are like planning functions and data manager packages in
other SAP planning solutions.

Validation Rules
Validation rules let you define valid member combinations across dimensions to prevent
improper data entry and planning operations in stories based on a specific planning model.
For the dimensions you define in a dimension combination rule, only the member
combinations that you specify as allowed combinations can pass validation.
For example, you might want to increase sales of certain products in specific locations. You
create a validation rule between the product dimension and location dimension members.
Planning users can do planning only for the allowed combinations of products and locations.

Value Driver Trees

Value driver trees let you take a driver-based planning model and turn it into a streamlined
visualization for running simulations and making strategic decisions. For example, you might
be discussing how vulnerable your business is to raw material prices, or which product line to
grow over the next few years to increase profitability the most. Value driver trees allow you to
book values to drivers and inputs, visualize the flow of value through the accounts, and see
the overall impact on KPIs now and in the future.
You create value driver trees directly in the story. The option to add nodes automatically
based the model’s account structure can help you get started quickly, but you can still add

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 Lesson: Describing Planning Features

and customize nodes as needed. Features like undo and redo, search, and drag-and-drop
node linking make it easy to get set up.

Figure 51: Value Driver Trees

Structured Allocations
You can use structured allocations to establish reusable steps for allocating costs, such as
allocating the cost of IT support across different departments by support hours used, or the
cost of travel across different product groups based on cost-of-living rates for the customer
location.
You build allocation steps using a visual tool that does not require scripting expertise, but that
covers a range of different allocation workflows.

Figure 52: SAP Analytics Cloud Allocations

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Describe SAP Analytics Cloud planning features.
● Perform manual input planning tasks.

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Unit 5: Using Planning

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 Unit 5

Learning Assessment

1. A private version cannot be changed after saving a story. True or false?

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

2. What can help prevent data input for invalid member combinations across dimensions?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Data Actions

X B Data Locking

X C Validation Rules

3. You have created a story using a planning model and notice that a Value Driver Tree can
be defined. Why do you use a Value Driver Tree?
Choose the correct answers.

X A To view a planning simulation graphically

X B To track planning tasks

X C To leverage driver-based planning

X D To lock planning data

4. SAP Analytics Cloud planning functionality can be integrated with any other SAP planning
systems. True or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

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 Unit 5

Learning Assessment - Answers

1. A private version cannot be changed after saving a story. True or false?

Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

A private version can be changed until it is published, but it can be saved until publishing.

2. What can help prevent data input for invalid member combinations across dimensions?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Data Actions

X B Data Locking

X C Validation Rules

Validation Rules help prevent data input for invalid member combinations across
dimensions.

3. You have created a story using a planning model and notice that a Value Driver Tree can
be defined. Why do you use a Value Driver Tree?
Choose the correct answers.

X A To view a planning simulation graphically

X B To track planning tasks

X C To leverage driver-based planning

X D To lock planning data

Two possible uses of a Value Driver Tree are to view a planning simulation graphically and
to leverage driver-based planning.

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 Unit 5: Learning Assessment - Answers

4. SAP Analytics Cloud planning functionality can be integrated with any other SAP planning
systems. True or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

SAP Analytics Cloud planning functionality can be integrated with other SAP on-premise
planning systems.

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Unit 5: Learning Assessment - Answers

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 UNIT 6 Using Basic Augmented
Analytics in SAP Analytics
Cloud

Lesson 1
Exploring the SAP Analytics Cloud AI Functionality for Augmentation 97

UNIT OBJECTIVES

● Describe the SAP Analytics Cloud augmented analytics functionality.

● Use the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature to analyze data.

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Unit 6: Using Basic Augmented Analytics in SAP Analytics Cloud

96 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 6
Lesson 1
Exploring the SAP Analytics Cloud AI
Functionality for Augmentation

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Describe the SAP Analytics Cloud augmented analytics functionality.
● Use the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature to analyze data.

SAP Analytics Cloud Augmented Analytics Functionality

SAP Analytics Cloud provides you with many artificial intelligence and machine learning
utilities to assist you in your data analysis and planning activities.

Smart Predict
Create one or several predictive models that automatically learn from your historical data,
and find the best relationships or patterns of behavior to easily generate predictions for future
events, values, and trends. For example, predictive forecasting takes different values into
account, and also looks at trends, cycles, and fluctuations in your data. Smart Predict can be
used on:
● Acquired data is supported for datasets and planning models but not for analytic models.
● Live data is supported only for SAP HANA on-premise.

Just Ask Feature

Request information in natural language simply by typing a question about your data. You can
access this AI-driven feature from the Home page or from the icon in the main horizontal
menu.
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

Note:
Smart Discovery and Smart Insight features are only available in classic design
stories. They are not included in this learning journey. For more information, visit
the SAP Help Portal.

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Unit 6: Using Basic Augmented Analytics in SAP Analytics Cloud

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

Figure 53: Just Ask Model Selection

In the following example, 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 your horizontal menu bar, as highlighted in the previous
image.

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.

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 Lesson: Exploring the SAP Analytics Cloud AI Functionality for Augmentation

● 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.

Figure 54: Just Ask Results

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Describe the SAP Analytics Cloud augmented analytics functionality.
● Use the SAP Analytics Cloud just ask feature to analyze data.

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Unit 6: Using Basic Augmented Analytics in SAP Analytics Cloud

100 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 6

Learning Assessment

1. What lets you create 1 or more models that learn from your historical data?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Predictive Forecast

X B Smart Insights

X C Smart Predict

2. From where can you access the just ask feature?

Choose the correct answer.

X A The SAP Analytics Cloud horizontal menu (shell menu)

X B The SAP Analytics Cloud Catalog

X C The SAP Analytics Cloud Help

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 Unit 6

Learning Assessment - Answers

1. What lets you create 1 or more models that learn from your historical data?
Choose the correct answer.

X A Predictive Forecast

X B Smart Insights

X C Smart Predict

Only Smart Predict creates 1 or more models that learn from your historical data.

2. From where can you access the just ask feature?

Choose the correct answer.

X A The SAP Analytics Cloud horizontal menu (shell menu)

X B The SAP Analytics Cloud Catalog

X C The SAP Analytics Cloud Help

You can access the just ask feature from the The SAP Analytics Cloud horizontal menu.

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 UNIT 7 Using Collaboration Features

Lesson 1
Providing Feedback Using Discussions and Comments 105

Lesson 2
Using the SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar 107

UNIT OBJECTIVES

● Provide feedback.
● Add a task to the SAP Analytics Cloud calendar.

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Unit 7: Using Collaboration Features

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 Unit 7
Lesson 1
Providing Feedback Using Discussions and
Comments

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Provide feedback.

Access and Contribute to Discussions

Discussions
You can use the Discussion feature to easily collaborate with teams and users.

Figure 55: Discussions

To create a discussion, select the Collaboration icon. Choose one or more people with
whom you wish to collaborate, and then start a conversation. You can message, add
attachments, and even link to other stories using the plus icon at the bottom of the assistant.

Add Comments
Commenting is a great way to offer feedback on specific elements in a story. Select the
element on which you wish to comment, choose the comment icon, and enter your message.
Comments can be addressed to specific team members by tagging them with the @ symbol.

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Unit 7: Using Collaboration Features

Figure 56: Comments

Comments can be made on a story page, a widget, or a data point in a table. Your comments
can be up to 10,000 characters long, excluding comments on dimensions (comments on
dimension have a limit of 255 characters). They can also be exported to a file from the story.
SAP Analytics Cloud keeps track of the commenting history.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Provide feedback.

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 Unit 7
Lesson 2
Using the SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar

LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
● Add a task to the SAP Analytics Cloud calendar.

Calendar Tasks
The SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar
Use the calendar to organize your work flows. You can create different types of tasks and
assign people to work on them and others to review the work. You can use processes to
manage multiple tasks.

Figure 57: The SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar

The calendar provides following features to view, create, and manage your tasks:
● Collaborate
● Set and track status
● Assign reviewers
● Add reminders
● View due dates

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Unit 7: Using Collaboration Features

Depending on the type of task you add, you may be able to configure it to link the task to a
specific file or files and assign performers and reviewer for the task.

Figure 58: Configure a Calendar Task

If you are an assignee and you access an application from a task, you can submit, reject, view,
or set the progress of your task. If you are a reviewer and you access an application from a
task, you can perform the accept or resend actions from within your application.
When a task is completed, the appropriate users are notified, and the task status is indicated
as Accomplished.

Scheduled Publications
You can also use the calendar to manage scheduled publications. When you have scheduled a
story or application, the scheduling job appears on your calendar. From the calendar you can
view, modify, copy, discontinue, or delete a schedule.

Note:
Users with the Manage permission on Schedule Publication can alter a schedule
you have created.

LESSON SUMMARY
You should now be able to:
● Add a task to the SAP Analytics Cloud calendar.

108 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 7

Learning Assessment

1. How many characters are comments limited to in SAP Analytics Cloud?

Choose the correct answer.

X A 255

X B 2550

X C 5000

X D 10,000

2. The SAP Analytics Cloud calendar can be used to organize workflows. True or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

3. What features does the SAP Analytics Cloud calendar provide?

Choose the correct answers.

X A Assign Reviewer

X B Schedule a file

X C Collaborate

X D Create a project plan

4. If you schedule a publication, what management options do you have for the schedule?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Modify

X B Define

X C Discontinue

X D Reschedule

© Copyright. All rights reserved. 109

 Unit 7

Learning Assessment - Answers

1. How many characters are comments limited to in SAP Analytics Cloud?

Choose the correct answer.

X A 255

X B 2550

X C 5000

X D 10,000

Comments can be up to 10,000 characters long for all forms of comments, excluding
comments on dimensions (comments on dimension have a limit of 255 characters).

2. The SAP Analytics Cloud calendar can be used to organize workflows. True or false?
Determine whether this statement is true or false.

X True

X False

The SAP Analytics Cloud calendar can be used to organize workflows.

3. What features does the SAP Analytics Cloud calendar provide?

Choose the correct answers.

X A Assign Reviewer

X B Schedule a file

X C Collaborate

X D Create a project plan

The SAP Analytics Cloud calendar allows you to assign reviewers and collaborate. You can
also set and track status, add reminders, and view due dates.

110 © Copyright. All rights reserved.

 Unit 7: Learning Assessment - Answers

4. If you schedule a publication, what management options do you have for the schedule?
Choose the correct answers.

X A Modify

X B Define

X C Discontinue

X D Reschedule

From the calendar you can modify and discontinue a schedule. You can also view, copy, or
delete a schedule

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