Adding Prompts to an SAP BW BEx Query Connection

You can define prompting for a data connection to an SAP BW BEx query. Using prompting, you can let the end user define values for BEx variables, upon opening the connection.

About this task

Prompting can bring greater flexibility to a BEx query connection, as you can use it in place of static values for BEx variables. By defining BEx variables via prompts, one connection can be used to load different data from the source depending on the user input.

Before you begin

Note: The following example describes the process for adding prompting for a BEx variable in a saved connection in the library. However, you can add prompts to connections embedded in an analysis file too.

Procedure

On the menu bar, select Data > Manage Data Connections.
Locate the SAP BW BEx query connection of interest and click Edit.
You might need to enter the data source credentials to proceed.
In the Data Connection Settings dialog, click Edit....
The Data Selection in Connection dialog is displayed.
In the Data selection in connection list, select the BEx variable that you want to define prompting for.
In the Settings pane, select Prompt for values.
In the Prompt type menu, select the desired prompt type.
Comment: What prompt type you can use depends on what input the selected BEx variable is configured to accept. For example, if the variable accepts only a single value, you will only be able to select the prompt type 'Single selection'.
Select whether or not to Load values automatically in the prompt.
Comment: By default, this option is not selected and the user can choose either to load a list of all available values to select from, or to type values in the prompt manually. Typing values can be preferable, especially when the user needs to select a large number of values. The user can then use a saved list of values, by loading a file with text values or pasting it in the input field. If you select not to load values automatically, the end user will not have the option to type values manually.
Optionally, type a Description to be shown in the prompt dialog, explaining what type of value that the end user should provide.
Click OK, and then, in the Data Connection Settings dialog, click Save.

To show prompts when opening an analysis with an embedded connection with prompting

If you have saved an analysis with an embedded connection with prompting, by default, the end user will not be prompted for input upon opening the analysis. The data selection will be based on the selection that you made in the prompts, when authoring the analysis. Follow these steps to show the prompts and let the end user define variable values, upon opening the analysis.

About this task

Note: Your selection in the prompts, when authoring the analysis, will be the default selection in the prompts to the end user.

Procedure

On the menu bar, select Data > Data Table Properties.
In the Data Table Properties dialog, on the General tab, click Linked (individual settings per source).
Select Prompt for new settings before loading.
Click OK.