Changes to SAP BI master data reflecting in Crystal Filters

[Former Member]

Hello All

We are looking at a scenario where Crystal Reports is used to report off SAP BI. One of the characteristics in BI is used as a filter in Crystal. If new master data value is added to this characteristic in BI, is it automatically reflected in the list of values for the filter in Crystal?

We are facing some issues with this feature even when we use dynamic filters in Crystal, please advise.

Thanks

Thankam

[IngoH · Accepted solution]

Hi,

when you create a report on top of the BW query the CR Designer is reading the list of values from the system and the point of creating the report. There is also a registry setting which you can use to limit the number of values being considered.

branch :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Business Objects\Suite 12.0\SAP\BWQueryReportWrapper

key : PickListSizeUnlimited and MaxPickListSize

When the report is published to the BusinessObjects server and viewed online with the SAP Authentication the list of values is dynamic read from the SAP backend.

Ingo

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your quick response Ingo..

When we define the filter as static in Crystal, the values which appeared at design time are retrieved. However when we define the filter as dynamic, we are getting blank screen during run time.

Is there anything we have missed out? How can we ensure dynamic refresh of the data in the filters based on SAP BI data changes?

thanks

Thankam

[former_member142702 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I assume you are using an BW query as data source. you should keep the filter as static. If you created the report over the SAP toolbar/menu in the CR designer the LOV will be populated dynamically when the report is invoked in the infoview even if the filter is set to be static.

Regards,

Stratos

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks... Stratos

If we define the filter as static, should we republish the report every time to make sure the master data changes in SAP BI system is refreshed in the Crystal? Please confirm how/ when it is automatically percolated to Crystal.

Appreciate your guidance.

Thanks

Thankam

[former_member142702 · Accepted solution]

Hi

you do not have to republish your report in the BOBJ repository every time the BI master data change. The changes are reflected automatically in the LOV the end-user (ie. the user who invokes the report in the InfoView) sees. But this will happen ONLY if you have built your report using the SAP Toolbar/menu in the CR designer. Although the prompts are created as static in the CR designer, when the report is displayed in the infoview the picklists/LOVs are build in BW internally so that you always get the latest data. You should NOT change the filter from static to dynamic when you design the report.

Regards

Stratos

[IngoH · Accepted solution]

Hi,

When we define the filter as static in Crystal, the values which appeared at design time are retrieved. However when we define the filter as dynamic, we are getting blank screen during run time.

>> The parameter is defined for you and there is no need to change the parameter from static to dynamic. The parameter is static in the CR Designer and when published the list is dynamic.

Ingo

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks Ingo

Is there any specific authorisation that needs to be setup to enable refresh of the data values or to display data in the Crystal Report from SAP BI source (using query)?

Thanks

Thankam

[IngoH · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I assume we talking about InfoView here as explained before. The authorizations are listed in the Installation Guide for the SAP Integration Kit - its standard BW reporting authorizations.

Ingo

[Former Member]

Hello All

One quick clarification:

The question is about seamless reflection of data changes in the backend SAP BI system to the filters defined in Crystal Reports. For example, if we add a new product in the characteristic in SAP BI, the filter should pick the new product value in the filter without having to republish the reports.

Please share your experiences in similar scenario.

Thanks

Thankam