SAP Learning Blog

🎯 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...

🎯 Objective After this lesson, you will be able to: Understand SAP Analytics Cloud's augmented analytics features. Use the Just Ask natural language query tool to analyze data. 🤖 SAP Analytics Cloud Augmented Analytics SAP Analytics Cloud includes AI-driven features that enhance decision-making and streamline data analysis. Two main components are: 1. Smart Predict Smart Predict uses machine learning to generate future predictions based on historical data. ✅ Key Capabilities: Automatically detects patterns, trends, cycles, and fluctuations. Creates predictive models like classification , regression , and time series forecasting . 📌 Supported Data Sources: Acquired data : Supported for datasets and planning models (not for analytic models). Live data : Only supported for SAP HANA on-premise . 🔍 Use Smart Predict for: Sales forecasting Customer churn prediction Inventory level predictions Planning future business performance ...

🎯 Objective After this lesson, you will be able to: Describe the difference between Compass simulations and Time Series forecasts. Identify when to use each method. 🧭 What is SAP Analytics Cloud Compass? Compass is a simulation tool in SAC that allows you to model the impact of uncertainty in key business drivers on a target KPI (e.g., Operating Income). 🔑 Key Features: Uses Monte Carlo simulation . Explores probable outcomes using random variations. Requires a defined relationship between drivers and targets in the SAC model. No historical data trend required. Fast setup — no complex math or IT support needed. 📈 Use Compass when asking: "What happens if a key driver changes unexpectedly?" 📌 Example: What are the probable results of Operating Income if COGS is between $10M–$20M? ⏳ What is a Time Series Prediction? Time Series Prediction uses historical trends to forecast future values. 🔑 Key Features: Requires sufficie...

  🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to: Describe the planning features of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Perform manual input planning tasks 🧠 What is Planning in SAP Analytics Cloud? Planning in SAC is about: Setting strategic goals Building budgets and forecasts Simulating scenarios Projecting Actuals into the future Collaborating across departments 🔧 Key Planning Features in SAC Feature Purpose Data Entry Enter or adjust values in tables manually Version Management Create and manage versions (e.g., Forecast, Budget, Actual) Data Locking Lock cells to prevent unauthorized changes Data Actions Automate calculations, copy-paste actions, allocations Validation Rules Prevent invalid data entry (based on dimension rules) Value Driver Trees Visualize how changes impact KPIs through simulation Structured Allocations Define rules for cost distribution (e.g., by department or product line) 🧩 Feature Details ✅ Data Entry Enter...

🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to create an advanced story using scripting . 🧠 Overview: Scripted Stories in SAP Analytics Cloud While SAP Analytics Cloud offers powerful no-code options to build stories, scripting is used when you need more control and interactivity. Scripts are written in a subset of JavaScript , and are typically used to: Customize user interactions Automate behavior (e.g., switching pages, updating filters) Enhance interactivity beyond standard UI options Create tailored user experiences for planning, data analysis, or presentations 💡 Why Use Scripting? Use Case Benefit Custom navigation Jump to specific pages or widgets programmatically Dynamic filtering Filter charts and tables based on user input Conditional visibility Show/hide widgets based on logic Guided workflows Create step-by-step user interactions Disable standard features Restrict right-click menus or story functionality 🛠️ Scripting allows develop...

🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to describe Microsoft Office integration options for SAP Analytics Cloud stories. 🧩 Integration Tools Overview Tool Function Key Use Case SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Excel Brings SAC data into Excel for advanced analysis Ad hoc reporting, planning, Excel-based analysis SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office Office-based multidimensional analysis of SAP data BI reporting, complex hierarchies, EPM SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint Embeds live SAC story widgets into slides Data storytelling, dynamic presentations 📊 Excel Integration Options 🔹 SAP Analytics Cloud, Add-in for Microsoft Excel View and manipulate SAC models directly in Excel Add or remove dimensions , measures , totals Work with hierarchies : expand/collapse nodes Use formulas like: SAP.GETDATA : Retrieves a value for specific members Other formula functions for filtering, metadata, and cell-based reporting ...

🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to design and customize a story in SAP Analytics Cloud. 🧱 Story Page Types Page Type Description Best Use Case Responsive Automatically adjusts layout based on screen/device size Mobile/tablet-friendly design Canvas Fixed page size regardless of screen/device Dashboard-style layouts Grid Table-only layout (Classic mode only) Structured tabular reports (deprecated) 🧭 Classic vs. Optimized Design Experience Design Mode Status Key Features Classic Still supported (but deprecated) Legacy features, no new updates Optimized Recommended & future default Performance improvements, ongoing enhancements 💡 Use Optimized Design Experience for new stories to future-proof your content and access the latest features. 🖼️ Story Design Best Practices Design Principle Guidance Choose direction Emphasize what's most important in your story. Keep it simple Avoid clutter; ensure viewer-friendly layouts. Follow reading flow L...

🎯 Objective After completing this lesson, you will be able to view and interact with a story in SAP Analytics Cloud. 🧩 Core Concepts 📘 What Is a Story? A story in SAP Analytics Cloud is a data visualization and analysis interface that functions like a report or dashboard. It can include: Tables Charts Interactive filters Input controls Text, images, and other visual elements ✨ Working Modes Stories have three main working modes : Mode Description View Default mode; read-only access with limited interaction (e.g., filter, drill down). Edit Full design access: add/edit pages, widgets, charts, interactivity, etc. Present Interactive presentation mode using real-time data; replaces static presentations (like PowerPoint). 🔖 Bookmarks Bookmarks let you save a specific view of a story (filters/prompts applied). Types : Private : Only visible to the user. Global : Shared view (requires authorization). Use Cases : Save commonly viewed scenar...

🎯 Objective Create a live data model to access real-time data from an SAP HANA on-premise system for simple analysis in Data Analyzer . 🧭 Task Flow Summary ✅ 1. Start the Live Model Creation Process Navigate to Modeler from the main menu in SAP Analytics Cloud. Select "Live Data Model" to begin. ✅ 2. Set Up the Connection In the Create Model from Live Data Connection dialog: System Type : Select SAP HANA . Connection : Choose the predefined live connection to your SAP HANA on-premise system (this connection must have been created by your admin). Data Source : Browse and select the appropriate calculation view that your team needs for analysis (e.g., Z_SALES_ANALYSIS ). ✅ 3. Configure Model Details Once the calculation view is loaded: Review the automatically detected dimensions and measures . Set Order Date as the Time Dimension if it's not already configured: Locate the Order Date field. Click on it and choose...

🎯 Objective By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the key elements of both import (acquired) and live data models in SAP Analytics Cloud. 🔄 Import vs. Live Data Models – Overview Feature Live Data Model Import (Acquired) Data Model Data Storage Data remains in the source system Data is copied into SAC Updates Real-time (as data changes in the source) Must be refreshed or scheduled Writeback Not possible (except SAP BPC Embedded) Possible in Planning Models Supported Sources SAP systems only (e.g., SAP HANA, BW, Datasphere) SAP & Non-SAP systems (e.g., SQL, Excel, Google Drive) Use Cases Real-time dashboards, performance-sensitive use Planning, data manipulation, Smart Predict Data Preparation Minimal (done in the source) Robust options in SAC modeler Connection Required Live connection Import connection Security Governed by source system Governed in SAC, more flexible 🔹 Live Data Models No data is stored in SAC – SAC just queries the source in real...