In the world of SAP analytics, dashboards provide a visual and interactive way to monitor business performance and gain insights at a glance. SAP Analysis for Office (AfO), an Excel-integrated tool, allows business users to build flexible and dynamic dashboards by connecting to SAP data sources such as SAP BW, SAP HANA, and SAP S/4HANA. This article will guide you through the process of creating basic dashboards using SAP Analysis for Office to visualize your SAP data effectively.
SAP Analysis for Office is an add-in for Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint that facilitates analysis and reporting of SAP data. It combines Excel’s familiar interface with powerful SAP data connectivity and multidimensional analysis, enabling the creation of rich reports and dashboards without the need for advanced programming skills.
- Seamless integration with Excel, leveraging familiar tools and features
- Ability to connect to multiple SAP data sources and queries
- Interactive data exploration with real-time refresh capability
- Flexibility to customize layouts, charts, and formatting
- Open Microsoft Excel and ensure the SAP Analysis for Office add-in is enabled.
- Go to the Analysis tab and select Insert Data Source.
- Connect to your SAP system by choosing the relevant SAP BW query, HANA view, or S/4HANA CDS view.
- Authenticate with your SAP credentials and load the data source.
¶ Step 2: Insert and Arrange Key Data Elements
- Use the Analysis panel to drag and drop Characteristics (dimensions) such as time, product, or region to rows or columns.
- Add Key Figures (measures) like sales revenue, quantity, or costs to populate your dashboard.
- Build multiple tables within the Excel sheet, each representing different views or metrics you want on your dashboard.
- Select the data tables you have created.
- Use Excel’s native charting tools to insert charts such as bar charts, line charts, pie charts, or sparklines.
- Position and resize charts on the worksheet to create a dashboard layout.
¶ Step 4: Add Interactivity with Filters and Slicers
- Use SAP Analysis for Office’s filter options to restrict data shown in your dashboard.
- Insert Excel slicers or pivot table filters to allow users to dynamically change views by selecting different categories or periods.
- Link slicers to multiple charts and tables to synchronize dashboard elements.
- Use Excel’s formatting tools to apply consistent colors, fonts, and styles.
- Add titles, labels, and legends to improve readability.
- Organize elements logically, grouping related metrics together.
¶ Step 6: Refresh and Share
- Refresh your dashboard to pull the latest data from SAP systems.
- Save the dashboard as an Excel workbook and share it with stakeholders.
- Consider publishing dashboards to a shared location or SAP Analytics Cloud for broader access.
- Keep dashboards concise and focused: Avoid clutter by displaying key metrics and high-impact visuals.
- Use meaningful KPIs: Select indicators that align with business goals and user needs.
- Optimize performance: Limit the amount of data loaded at once and avoid overly complex queries.
- Ensure usability: Test filters and interactivity to confirm they work intuitively.
- Regular updates: Maintain dashboards with refreshed data and incorporate user feedback for improvements.
SAP Analysis for Office is a versatile tool for creating basic yet powerful dashboards that connect directly to your SAP data sources. By combining Excel’s flexibility with SAP’s robust data capabilities, users can design interactive dashboards that enable quick insights and informed decisions. Starting with simple tables and charts, you can progressively build more sophisticated dashboards tailored to your organization’s needs.