Satisfying end-user formatting requirements in BEx Web Application Designer (BEx Web AD) can be a difficult task. Every business has different standards that it must adhere to, and each division often has specific needs and wants. It’s not uncommon to see an end user very unhappy with a BEx Web AD template — not because of the data quality, but because the template’s usual colors, column widths, and exception symbols are not present.

With Web Design API for tables no longer in use, SAP now provides parameter modification modules for Analysis Web items to enable the modification of the standard table structure and cells. You control these modules by adjusting the parameters within them. By following this basic methodology in the following three steps, you can successfully implement an Analysis Web item modification.

Step 1. Identify the module that satisfies your formatting requirements

Step 2. Define the module in the Analysis Web item modification parameter

Step 3. Adjust the module-specific parameters to control the Web Analysis item display

I use the example of setting up Analysis Web items to automatically change negative numbers to red, and show you how you can tailor the result to your specific requirements. My example applies to SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0 Support Package 7, Patch 1, Revision 473. The functionality may not be available with earlier versions. You can use standard SAP modules to modify the Analysis Web item display.

Step 1. Identify the Module that Satisfies Your Formatting Requirements

Take this example scenario. You have completed the build of your BEx Web AD template, generated an iView of your template, and assigned it to a portal role. However, the end users have discovered a defect — they cannot see negative figures in red as they could in their old reports. In fact, they only want to see negative numbers in red for a particular key figure. Data quality, ability to slice and dice, and timely access to data aside, the user will not sign off on your template without this piece of comfort formatting delivered.

To have a satisfactory outcome for the example scenario, you need to implement the Negative Number module (com.sap.ip.bi.rig.NegativeNumber).

Step 2. Define the Module in the Analysis Web Item Modification Parameter

Implementing the Negative Number module in your BEx Web AD template to make all negative numbers red is a relatively simple process. It requires that you insert a small selection of predefined code in the BEx Web AD XHTML tab.

The code for each data provider is presented in Figure 1, which you can find by switching to the XHTML tab in BEx Web AD. Before you do this, there are two important concepts to remember. First, the module is data provider-specific, so you need to insert the code in Figure 2 in each Analysis Web item to which you want to apply it. Second, by default the module is inactive, so ensure that the Active parameter (on line 3 of Figure 2) is populated with X. To insert the parameter modification module, insert a new line after the <bi:DATA_PROVIDER_REF value="DP_1" /> tag and paste the code in Figure 2.

Click the correct and format icon on the BEx Web AD toolbar. BEx Web AD activates and formats the inserted code. Then click the save and execute icon on the BEx Web AD toolbar to see all the negative numbers in the Analysis Web item specified, displayed in red (Figure 3).

Figure 3

The negative numbers appear in red

Step 3. Adjust the Module-Specific Parameters to Control the Web Analysis Item Display

However, in my example, the end user has specified that only the negative values in a particular key figure should be displayed in red. Through the use of parameterization, the Negative Number module allows you to specify columns to which the system should apply the formatting.

Figure 4 shows how you can introduce a modification parameter list and the modification parameter COLUMN. In this list you enter any additional parameter modifications that are available for the module. This is a basic example of how you define a particular column for red negative numbers. Once again, place this code in the XHTML tab for the applicable Analysis Web item as you did previously.

In this case, I applied the formatting to the Units Sold Variance key figure (Figure 5). By changing the value in <bi:INTEGER value="6" />, you can select any key figure in the report.

Figure 5

The Negative Numbers module applied only to the Units Sold Variance key figure

Limitation of Using the Negative Number Module

It is worthwhile to note a limitation of this parameter modification module that could affect its application. Because the selection of the column to which you apply negative number coloring is not dynamic, adding or removing characteristics and key figures affects the number of columns in the grid. Therefore, if you remove one characteristic in Figure 5, the system then applies the negative number formatting to the Units Value 2007 column.

Stuart Chambers

Stuart Chambers is currently a technical team lead for Innogence, Australia’s largest SAP NetWeaver BW and SAP BusinessObjects consulting firm. During the previous three years, Stuart has worked with many of Australia’s top FMCG and business services organizations on both BI Greenfields and enhancement projects. His previous project was recently awarded “Best Business Intelligence Solution Implementation” by SAP. During this time, Stuart has developed a particular interest in front-end design and developing strategies for successful BW project delivery. Stuart is SAP NetWeaver BW certified, has completed a masters of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (SAP) degree from Victoria University (2007 – “Most Outstanding Student”), and a bachelor of commerce, economics and commercial law degree from Deakin University. Prior to working in the BW field, Stuart was a FI-CO power user in the music industry in the UK.

You may contact the author at stuart.chambers@innogence.com.

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