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How To Work With F4 Input Help Effectively in BEX
How To Work With F4 Input Help Effectively in BEX
Effectively in BEX
Applies to:
SAP BI 7.0 developers and Reporting Users. For more information, visit the Business Intelligence home
page
Summary
This document helps to overcome the challenges while using F4 help in variable inputs and choosing filter
selections. It talks about the introduction to F4 help settings and how they affect input help in Bex analyzer,
Web and portal.
Author:
Sreekanth S
Author Bio
Sreekanth is a SAP BI Consultant in Accenture Services Private Ltd, India. His expertise
includes SAP BI and ABAP developments.
Table of Contents
1. Business Scenario .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Understanding F4 help settings ................................................................................................................. 3
Important points:........................................................................................................................................ 4
3. Different problems with F4 input help ......................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Input help for variable in Bex Analyzer ................................................................................................. 4
3.1.1. Reason and solution .......................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1.2. Change the read mode setting in RSD1 infoobject maintenance ....................................................................... 6
1. Business Scenario
In general, Users face several problems while choosing the input help (F4) for the characteristic variables.
Some times they get the input help values which are not required and calling F4 help takes long time due to
performance problems. So here we try to discuss about the reasons for these problems and overcome them
effectively by applying the respective solutions.
Display: Display of Char; Text, Key, Text and key, key and text.
Attributes: You can choose certain attributes of char for input help and also we can maintain the
sequence.
Read mode: In which mode, input values for char to be determined, the modes are Values from
master data table(M), values from infoproivder (D) and values from Query navigation(Q).
Most of the challenges are come due to the read mode setting, so we will know more about this setting.
Note: Firstly, I would request you to read the F1 help for read mode settings in infoobject maintenance
business explorer tab.
Query Definition
Filters tab
Variables
Infocube/DSO
Point 1
Point 2
point 2
Multiprovider on
Cube/DSO
Point 1
Point 2
point 2
others master
data objects
master data
master data
point 3
Point1: The values are transferred according to the setting of Query definition filter value selection in
infoobject maintenance (RSD1)
Point2: If the setting for the filter value selection for the query execution as the value "Values in Master
Data Table", the system displays the values for the master data table. Otherwise, it displays the values for
the dimension table.
Point3: Since other Infoproviders do not have a dimension table, the system displays only posted values if
you select "Only Posted Values for Navigation". Otherwise, it displays the values from the master data table.
All query execution settings can also be made in Infoprovider level (RSDCUBE/RSDODS), in the context
menu of the infoobject Provider-specific properties.
Lastly at also in query designer level, select the char, ZMaterial properties window Advanced tab, here
you can choose the read mode setting for input help.
Important points:
1. The settings we make at infoprovider and query designer have no effect on query definition input help, F4
values of char restriction on filters is always drawn from the Query definition settings of infoobject
maintenance (RSD1).
2. For variables input help, the query execution setting in RSD1 only initiated. Settings done in infoprovider
specific properties and query designer will have no impact on variable input help. Because variables are
global not restricted to any particular query.
3. The settings in Infoprovider and query designer are considered as higher levels respectively. So if any
higher level setting is made, it overrides the previous level setting.
So we may want to see only those 2 values in the input help list.
3.1.1. Reason and solution
The read mode for the infoobject ZMATERIAL is chosen as values in master data table. By this setting the
variable input help is showing all the values from master data table rather than infoprovider.
In the next screen, choose value restriction tab Read mode setting as Custom only values in
infoprovider.
Note: But this personalization works only for that particular time. Next time when you request F4 help, by default you get
the values according to RSD1 setting.
If the characteristic is having a lot of attributes, it is not good to display which are not required. If the value in
order help columns shows 0, then it has no display in F4 help. Others will follow the sequence given in the
RSD1.
The limitation for no. of attributes can be displayed in input help is 40.
3.2.1. Solution:
In Bi 7.0, this setting will have no impact on the input help dialog box in Bex analyzer. However this setting
will take effect in query execution in portal and execution in RSRT.
If we wanted to see the attribute values in Bex analyzer, we can personalize them while choosing input help.
Click on settings Value help dialog Choose Custom Drag to the right window
In the next screen, we will get attribute values in the input help for the characteristic variable.
Improving the runtime of the input help by using an additional index for the characteristic in the
DataStore object.
Changing the input help for the characteristic in transaction RSD1 to M mode (master data table).
Related Contents
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw70/helpdata/en/ae/1e9b3c334d8c15e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
SAP Note 1080863 - FAQ on F4 input help in Bi
SAP Note 984229 - F4 modes for input help SAP Bi 7.0
SAP Note 796737 - F4 modes in Bw 3.x
SAP Note 748623 - F4 has a very long time - recommendations
For more information, visit the Business Intelligence homepage.