SAP Learning Blog

🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to: Describe the key functionality of SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) Understand how BDC supports modern data analytics and AI-driven insights 🧠 What Is SAP Business Data Cloud? SAP Business Data Cloud is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that combines the power of: SAP HANA Cloud SAP Datasphere SAP Analytics Cloud It offers unified data and analytics services underpinned by the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) . 💡 Think of it as an all-in-one solution for data integration, modeling, analytics, and AI—spanning SAP and non-SAP sources. 🚀 Key Advantages of SAP Business Data Cloud ✅ 1. Unified Platform Combines all data and analytics tools in one environment Simplifies integration between applications, data, and AI ✅ 2. Business-Ready Data Centralized semantic layer for business context Turns raw data into Data Products —ready for analytics and AI ✅ 3. Out-of-the-Bo...

  🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you’ll be able to: Describe the types of data sources used in SAP Analytics Cloud stories. 🔗 Types of Data Sources in SAP Analytics Cloud 📁 1. Datasets Datasets are created when importing data from: Files (e.g., Excel, CSV) Outside data sources (non-SAP or SAP systems without models) 🧩 Two Types of Datasets : Type Description Embedded Unique to the story, can change data source, not shareable Public Shareable across stories, source cannot be changed once created 🔒 Both types support access security (who can use the dataset), but no column-level security . ⚠️ Limitations: No scheduled refresh Manual re-import is required for updates Transformations are lost when converting an embedded dataset into a model Public datasets cannot be converted into models 🧰 2. Models Models are reusable, structured data sources designed for enterprise-level reporting. Created from: Imported data Live ...

🎯 Objective After this lesson, you will be able to: Explain the differences between Classic and Optimized Design Modes Know when and why to use Optimized Design Experience 🆚 Classic vs. Optimized Design Experience Optimized Design Experience (Recommended) SAP’s preferred design mode for new stories Prerequisite for: Digital Boardroom features Future enhancements Analytics Designer capabilities 🔧 Key Benefits : Ghost loading indicators Improved performance with large data sets & hierarchies Better tooltips and navigation Quarterly feature updates Advanced Mode available for scripting and customization 🔄 Advanced Mode Features When Advanced Mode is ON , you can: Add interactive widgets: Button, Slider, Dropdown, Checkbox, List Box, Tab Strip, etc. Use JavaScript scripting: Script variables, objects, APIs, CSS editor Customize global settings: Widget visibility, auto-refresh, loading indicators, mobile s...

🎯 Objective After this lesson, you’ll be able to describe the basic concepts of story design in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC). 📘 What is an SAP Analytics Cloud Story? An SAC story is a presentation-style document that: Combines charts, visualizations, text, images, and pictograms . Can act as a report (detailed data tables) or a dashboard (high-level visual summaries). Is created and edited in Edit Mode where you can add/remove pages and elements . 🧩 Key Concepts in Story Design Keep it Simple : Smaller, focused stories are easier to understand. Avoid overloading with too many pages or widgets. Follow or Establish Reporting Standards : Use your organization's existing reporting/dashboard guidelines. If none exist, use this as an opportunity to create consistent design standards . Enhance User Experience : Encourage users to maximize their browser and use full-screen mode for the story or individual widgets. This helps in viewin...

🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to: Add and manage tasks using the SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar . Track and collaborate on planning and data workflows. Manage scheduled publications . 📅 Calendar Tasks Overview The SAP Analytics Cloud Calendar helps you organize planning, reporting, and collaboration activities through structured workflows. ✅ Key Features: Task creation : Set up tasks for yourself or assign to others. Workflow management : Use composite tasks and processes to manage multiple steps. Collaboration tools : Add reviewers, comments, and files. Reminders : Set alerts for due dates. Status tracking : Monitor progress of tasks from draft to completion. Timeline view : Visualize your calendar by day, week, or month. 🛠️ Types of Tasks You Can Create: General Task : A simple task with a due date and assigned user(s). Review Task : A task with a review step included. Composite Task : A parent task com...

🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to: Use Discussions to collaborate with team members. Add and manage comments on story elements. 💬 Discussions in SAP Analytics Cloud The Discussion feature lets you collaborate directly inside SAC without needing to leave the platform. ✅ How to Create a Discussion: Select the Collaboration icon (chat bubble). Choose one or more users to include. Start a conversation using the text field. Use the “+” icon to: Attach files Link other SAC stories or pages 🔁 Features: Supports attachments and links . Facilitates real-time collaboration . Keeps communication centralized and contextual . 🗨️ Comments in Stories You can add comments to elements in a story for feedback, clarification, or tagging team members. ✅ Where You Can Comment: Entire Story Page Individual Widgets (e.g., charts, tables) Specific Data Points in a table 🛠️ How to Comment: Select the obje...