Advanced Formulas in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning

Scripting Formulas and Calculations in Advanced Formulas for Financial Planning with SAP Analytics Cloud

In the modern era of data-driven decision-making, financial planning and analysis play a vital role in an organization's success. The ability to accurately consolidate and analyze financial data from various cost centers and G/L accounts is paramount. SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) provides a robust platform to achieve these goals, and the script we're examining here illustrates this functionality in detail.

Understanding the Data Model

Before delving into the script, it's crucial to understand the data model it works with. In the provided data structure, we see various cost centers such as:

• Back Office-(US)
• Build. & Maint (US)
• IT Services-(US)
• Manufacturing 1 (US)
• Manufacturing 2 (US)

Under each of these cost centers, there are different types of operating expenses, such as "Employee Expense," "Payroll and Benefits," "Travel Expense," and so on. These represent the G/L (General Ledger) accounts associated with each cost center.

Data Model Structure:

Cost Center: A division or unit within the organization responsible for specific costs.

G/L Account: General Ledger accounts that represent specific types of expenses or revenue.

Analyzing the Script

What are Advanced Formulas?

In Advanced Formulas represent a scripting tool tailored for planning processes. Through Advanced Formulas, users can carry out various operations, including data calculations, data copying across models, and complex aggregations, among others. The formulas act as the foundation of these operations, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

Key Components of Advanced Formulas

1.?Predefined Formulas: SAC comes equipped with a plethora of predefined formulas designed for common and repetitive tasks in financial planning. These formulas save time and reduce potential errors by offering tested solutions to common problems.

2.?Functions: These are built-in operations that users can leverage to manipulate data. Functions can range from simple arithmetic operations to complex time-based or logical operations. SAC provides an exhaustive list of functions tailored to the unique needs of financial planning.

3.Conditions: Conditions in Advanced Formulas allow users to specify when certain operations should take place. For instance, a user might set a condition to copy data from one model to another only if certain financial thresholds are met.

4.Operators: Operators are the symbols or terms used to compare, evaluate, or assign values. In the SAC environment, operators can be arithmetic (like +, -, *, /), comparative (like <, >, ==), or logical (AND, OR).

Now, let's analyze the provided script to understand how it manipulates the above data structure.

Script Overview

The provided script in the context of SAC focuses on manipulating and aggregating data related to various dimensions and metrics. The script's main functions include:

1. Configuring specific hierarchies to include members outside the hierarchy.
2. Deleting existing data and copying actual amounts.
3. Aggregating data over various dimensions like cost centers, activity type, profit center, functional area, etc.
4. Providing conditional execution based on the cost center's presence.

Configuration Definitions

The script begins with configuration definitions that dictate the behavior of advanced formulas within the system. It ensures that all relevant financial entities are considered, even those that don't neatly fit into a predefined structure.

?CONFIG.HIERARCHY.INCLUDE_MEMBERS_NOT_IN_HIERARCHY = ...

Data Region Definition

The script then defines the specific data subset that will be considered in subsequent operations, including the measure named "AMOUNT" and a specific date range.

MEMBERSET [d/Measures] = "AMOUNT"

MEMBERSET [d/Date] = [d/Version].[p/StartDate] TO [d/Version].[p/EndDate]

Calculation and Data Writing

The core logic section deletes existing data and copies actual amounts, aggregating them over specific dimensions.

IF [d/t.S:SAP_ALL_COSTCENTER] != "#" THEN

?DELETE()

?DATA(...) = RESULTLOOKUP(...)

ENDIF

Relationship with the Cost Center to G/L Account Table

The provided table outlines the relationship between various cost centers within an organization and their associated G/L (General Ledger) accounts. The cost centers and G/L accounts represent different dimensions and measures used in financial analysis.

Mapping Between the Table and the Script

• Cost Centers: These are reflected within the [d/t.S:SAP_ALL_COSTCENTER] dimension in the script.
• G/L Accounts: Likely represented by the [d/SAP_FI_IFP_GLACCOUNT] dimension.

Copying from One Model to Another

Script is designed to copy data from one model to another, potentially reflecting the transfer of values associated with specific cost centers and G/L accounts. This data movement enables a consolidated view that aligns with various operating expenses like "Employee Expense," "Payroll and Benefits," "Depreciation & Amortization," etc.

Connecting the Script to the Data Model

The relationship between the script and the data model can be summarized as follows:

• The cost centers and G/L accounts in the data model correspond to specific dimensions in the script.
• The script operates on the financial data related to these cost centers and G/L accounts, aggregating and copying data according to specified rules.
• The manipulation is likely part of a broader financial planning and analysis process within SAP, helping to consolidate data for reporting purposes.

Conclusion

The combination of the script and data model illustrates a powerful example of financial data manipulation within SAP Analytics Cloud. By targeting specific cost centers and G/L accounts and performing detailed aggregation and copying operations, the script supports the accurate and flexible financial planning necessary for a modern business.

script also demonstrates SAP's flexibility in handling complex financial structures and hierarchical data, showcasing the robust capabilities of the platform. Whether used for month-end closing, budgeting, or long-term strategic planning, this example offers valuable insights into the power of SAP Analytics Cloud in managing financial data effectively.