SAP HANA Studio serves as the primary integrated development environment (IDE) for administering and modeling data in SAP HANA. One of its powerful features is the HANA Studio Modeler, which allows users to create, manage, and deploy data models that serve as the foundation for real-time analytics in SAP HANA Live.
In this article, we explore how to effectively use the HANA Studio Modeler to build analytical models that align with SAP HANA Live's virtual data model architecture.
The HANA Studio Modeler is a perspective within SAP HANA Studio that supports graphical and SQL-based modeling of views and data flows. It enables users to:
- Create attribute views, analytic views, and calculation views
- Integrate data from different sources
- Apply business logic to transform raw data into meaningful insights
- Optimize performance through modeling best practices
With the rise of CDS views, the focus has shifted, but many legacy and hybrid SAP HANA Live environments still rely heavily on Studio-based models.
- Represent master data entities (e.g., Customer, Material)
- Primarily used for descriptive or lookup data
- Can be reused across multiple analytical and calculation views
- Designed for transactional data with star schema logic
- Combine one fact table with multiple attribute views
- Ideal for OLAP-style reporting
- Most flexible and powerful view type
- Allow complex logic, multiple joins/unions, filters, and custom calculations
- Recommended for new developments and SAP HANA Live scenarios
📌 Note: In modern HANA modeling, Calculation Views (CVs) have become the preferred standard, especially in combination with CDS-based modeling.
- Launch SAP HANA Studio
- Go to Window > Open Perspective > Other > Modeler
- In the Project Explorer, right-click on your content repository
- Select New > Package
- Enter a name (e.g.,
com.sap.hana.live.sales)
- Right-click the package > New > Calculation View
- Choose a view name and select type (Graphical or SQL Script-based)
- Select Data Category:
Cube for transactional data or Dimension for master data
- Drag tables or existing views into the canvas
- Use Join, Union, Projection, and Aggregation nodes
- Add calculated columns, filters, and input parameters as needed
- Define measures and attributes
- Set column labels and descriptions
- Assign default aggregation types (SUM, COUNT, etc.)
¶ Step 6: Activate and Deploy
- Save and activate the view
- Use Data Preview to validate the result
SAP HANA Live is a collection of ready-to-use virtual data models (VDMs) built on top of HANA tables. While many of these are built using CDS views in modern systems, HANA Studio Modeler continues to play a crucial role in:
- Extending SAP-delivered VDMs
- Creating custom views tailored to unique business requirements
- Prototyping and testing advanced data logic before converting to CDS
- Follow SAP HANA Live naming conventions (
CV_, AT_, AN_ for view types)
- Model reusable components using attribute and calculation views
- Avoid unnecessary nested views to enhance performance
- Use variables and input parameters to drive dynamic filters
- Use analytic privileges to secure sensitive data
Views created in HANA Studio can be consumed directly by:
- SAP Analytics Cloud
- SAP BusinessObjects
- SAP Lumira
- 3rd-party BI tools (via ODBC/JDBC or OData)
Make sure to expose views via the _SYS_BIC schema and assign appropriate analytic privileges for user access.
¶ Limitations and Migration Considerations
While HANA Studio Modeler is still widely used, SAP is gradually shifting towards Web IDE for HANA and ABAP CDS views for modeling. When working with HANA Live:
- Evaluate which views should be migrated to CDS for better integration with S/4HANA
- Use HANA Studio Modeler for data prototyping and performance tuning
- Plan for long-term maintenance by aligning with SAP’s strategic direction
The HANA Studio Modeler is a powerful tool for developing the virtual data models that power SAP HANA Live. Whether you're creating new analytical views, extending existing models, or optimizing performance, understanding how to use the Modeler effectively is essential for SAP developers and architects.
As SAP continues to evolve its data modeling landscape, mastering HANA Studio remains a valuable skill—especially in hybrid environments where legacy content and new technologies must coexist.