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Variables and Filters

This page shows how to use variables and dimension filters to filter the data that is extracted with the BWCube extraction type. There are two options to apply filters:

  • Variables are usually defined in SAP to create filter options for BW Queries. They can be edited in the BWCube extraction type.
  • Dimension Filters are defined in the BWCube extraction type to filter data from InfoProviders or BW Queries that do not have variables.

Available Filter Options

You can enter filter values directly in the BW Cube extraction type , select pre-defined values from SAP or define runtime parameters to pass values during runtime.

The BW Cube extraction type offers the following filter options:

Type Operator Description
Single Compare data to a single specified value.
(not) like pattern True if data values do (not) contain to the specified value.
(not) equal to True if data is (not) equal to the specified value.
at least True if data is greater than or equal to the specified value.
more than True if data is greater than the specified value.
at most True if data is less than or equal to the specified value.
less than True if data is less than the specified value.
Range Check if the data is (not) within a specified range of values.
(not) between True if data values do (not) lie between the 2 specified values.
List Check if the data is part of a specified list of values.
element of True if data values are part of the list.

Edit Variables

BW queries often have defined variables to create filter options. Depending on the type of BEx variable (single value, multiple value, interval or complex selection) input fields of the variables are enabled or disabled.

  1. Look up a BEx Query with defined variables .
    Edit Variables Button
  2. Click [Edit Variables] . The window "Edit variables for [name of the query]" opens.
  3. Select a field that uses variables from the drop-down menu .
    selections
  4. Click [Single], [Range] or [List] to add a corresponding filter, see Filter Options.
  5. In the column Sign , select Include to add the filtered data to the output or select Exclude to remove the filtered data from the output.
  6. Select an operator in the column Option , see Filter Options.
  7. In the column Value, enter values directly into the input fields Low and High, assign existing runtime parameters or look up pre-defined values in SAP.
    • Static values: Enter values directly into the Low and High input fields.
    • Runtime parameters: Select an existing runtime parameter from the drop-down list.
    • Pre-defined values: If available, select pre-defined values from SAP:
  8. Click [OK] to confirm your input.
  9. Click [Load live preview] in the main window of the component to check the result of the filter. If runtime parameters are defined, you are prompted to populate the parameters with actual values.

Set Dimension Filters

Each dimension of a BEx Query or an InfoCube offers the possibility to set a filter to execute the MDX statement in BW using the selected filter values. Follow the steps below to create dimension filters in the BWCube extraction type.

  1. In the tree structure of the extraction type, right-click a dimension to open the context menu.
    Query Filter
  2. Click [Edit Filter]. The window "Edit Selections" opens.
  3. Click [Single], [Range] or [List] to add a corresponding filter, see Filter Options.
  4. In the column Sign , select Include to add the filtered data to the output or select Exclude to remove the filtered data from the output.
    edit-selections
  5. In the column Option, select an operator , see Filter options.
  6. In the column Value, enter values directly into the input fields Low and High, assign existing runtime parameters or look up pre-defined values in SAP.
    • Static values: Enter values directly into the Low and High input fields.
    • Runtime parameters: Select an existing runtime parameter from the drop-down list.
    • Pre-defined values: If available, select pre-defined values from SAP.
  7. Click [OK] to confirm your input.
  8. Click [Load live preview] in the main window of the extraction type to check the result of the filter. If runtime parameters are defined, you are prompted to populate the parameters with actual values.

When filters are applied, the symbol is displayed in the treeview of the dimensions.

Warning

Extraction fails - Error message: Argument cannot be null or empty
When a filter is set, a value cannot be empty for an extraction to run.
Make sure to pass a value (# is accepted).

Last update: July 15, 2024