SAS Financial

Management 5.5
Formula Guide
The correct bibliographic citation for this manual is as follows: SAS Institute Inc. 2015. SAS® Financial
Management 5.5: Formula Guide. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.
SAS® Financial Management 5.5: Formula Guide
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 iii

Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Included in This Document 1
Additional Documentation 1
Example Data 1
Chapter 2 Formula Types 7
Overview of Formula Types and Formulas 7
Reporting Formulas and Excel-Based Calculated Members 8
Introduction 8
Calculation Method 8
Currency Conversion Method 8
Fact Storage 8
Treatment of NaNs 9
Dimension Type 9
Reuse 9
Choosing Whether to Use a Reporting Formula or an Excel-Based Calculated Member 9
Driver and Modeling Formulas 10
Introduction 10
Calculation Method 10
Currency Conversion Method 10
Fact Storage 10
Treatment of NaNs 10
Dimension Type 11
Reuse 11
Choosing Whether to Use a Driver Formula or a Modeling Formula 11
Chapter 3 Formula Computation 13
Order of Execution 13
Introduction 13
Formulas 14
Facts 14
Rates 14
Results 15
Functional Currency Approach 17
Introduction 17
Four Steps 17
Formula 17
Facts 17
Rates 18
Reporting Currency Approach 20
iv Contents

Formula 20
Facts 20
Rates 20
Chapter 4 Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members 23
Introduction 23
Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 23
Adding Formulas to a Member 38
Removing Formulas from a Member 40
Editing a Calculated Member 42
Account Types for Calculated Members 43
Resolving Conflicts between Dimensions 43
Introduction 43
Scenario 1. Account Dimension Has Higher Rank than Analysis Dimension 45
Scenario 2. Analysis Dimension Has Higher Rank than Account Dimension 46
Virtual Child Members 47
Viewing Formula Information in SAS Financial Management Studio 47
Viewing Formula Information in Excel 50
Chapter 5 Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members 55
Introduction 56
Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member 56
Removing an Excel-Based Calculated Member 61
Editing an Excel-Based Calculated Member 62
Viewing Formula Information for Excel-Based Calculated Members 65
Pivoting an Excel-Based Calculated Member 65
Resolving Conflicts between Excel-Based Calculated Members 67
Introduction 67
Excel-Based Calculated Member Expressions 67
Results 67
Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 69
Introduction 69
fmValue Function 69
fmCode Function 69
fmProperty Function 70
fmRate Function 72
fmXRate Function 73
fmCXRate Function 74
Absolute References to Cells in the Same Workbook 78
Using Any Excel Function or Valid Excel Expression 79
Excel-Based Calculated Members and Display Styles 80
Formulas That Run Out of Bounds 83
Excel-Based Calculated Members on the Web 84
Differences between Calculated Members in Excel and on the Web 84
Excel-Based Calculated Members and Supplemental Tables 84
 Contents v

Chapter 6 Advanced Formula Concepts 87

Fixed Members 87
Explicit Members and Implicit (Fixed) Members 87
Explicit versus Implicit: Who Wins? 92
Formula Scope 94
Formula Scope and Member Selection Rules 101
Defining Multiple Formulas on One Member 105
Introduction 105
Scenario 1. Uses of the SUBSTR Function 105
Scenario 2. Member-Based Uses of the IF and NESTIF Functions 105
Scenario 3. Value-Based Uses of the IF and NESTIF Functions 105
Ranking Multiple Formulas 107
Introduction 107
Formula 1 107
Formula 2 107
Chapter 7 Calculated Members Restrictions 109
Introduction 110
Ignoring Formulas on Rollup Members 110
Description 110
Affected Formula Types 110
Example 110
Driver Formula 110
Results 111
Warning Message for SAS Financial Management Studio 111
Time Offsets: Formulas That Run Out of Bounds 111
Description 111
Affected Formula Types 111
Example 112
Results 112
Warning Message 112
Balance Account Calculated Members Scoped to Time 113
Description 113
Affected Formula Types 113
Example 116
Results 114
Warning Messages 115
Referencing a Dimension and/or Member Not in the Model 115
Description 115
Affected Formula Types 115
Example 116
Results 117
Warning Messages 117
Referencing Only Constants 118
vi Contents

Description 118
Affected Formula Types 118
Example 118
Results 119
Warning Messages 119
Circular References 120
Description 120
Affected Formula Types 120
Example 120
Results 121
Warning Message for Excel 121
Dividing by Zero 122
Description 122
Affected Formula Types 122
Example 122
Results 123
Warning Message for Excel 123
Recommendation 124
Chapter 8 Statistical Account Behavior 125
Introduction 125
Statistical Accounts for Data Entry 126
Introduction 126
Facts 126
Hierarchical Roll-Ups 126
Time Aggregation 127
Frequency Computation 128
Data Entry 129
Calculated Statistical Accounts 129
Introduction 129
Formula 129
Facts 130
Hierarchical Roll-Ups 130
Frequency Computation 131
Restrictions 131
Chapter 9 Commonly Used Functions 133
ANCESTOR Function 134
Use 134
Syntax 135
Example 135
CLOSINGPERIOD Function 136
Use 136
Syntax 136
Example 136
 Contents vii

CURRENT Function 136

Use 136
Syntax with One Argument 137
Example with One Argument 137
Syntax with Two Arguments 138
CURRENT(<dimension type code>,PROPERTY(<dimension type code>,<property code>))
138
Example with Two Arguments 138
DRATE Function 139
Use 139
Syntax 139
Example 139
IF Function 140
Use 140
Syntax 140
Example 140
NESTIF Function 141
Use 141
Syntax 141
Example 141
OPENINGPERIOD Function 142
Use 142
Syntax 142
Example 142
PARENT Function 143
Use 143
Syntax 143
Example 143
PREVIOUS Function 144
Use 144
Syntax 144
Example 144
PROPERTY Function 147
Use 147
Syntax 148
Example 149
ROUND Function 150
Use 150
Syntax 151
Example with Only the First Argument 151
Example with Both Arguments 152
SUM Function 152
Use 152
viii Contents

Syntax 152
Example 152
VIRTUALCHILD Function 154
Use 154
Syntax 155
Example 155
Adding Comments within a Formula Expression 155
Using String Functions in a Bracketed Member Reference 155
Using Dates and Numbers in Formula Syntax 156
Codes Containing Single and Double Quotation Marks 156
Chapter 10 Interactions with Load and Delete Data Options 157
Options for Loading Data 157
Introduction 157
Load new data to this cycle Option 158
Load model data to this cycle Option 158
Loading Data and the Source Dimension 158
Scenario 1. Selecting the Base Source Member 159
Scenario 2. Selecting the BaseForm Source Member 163
Loading Driver Formulas Facts to the Base Member of the Source Dimension 165
Deleting Data and Driver Facts 165
Chapter 11 Using Driver Formulas 167
Introduction 167
Range of Execution 167
What Triggers Execution of a Driver Formula 168
Two Actions 168
Driver Formulas That Are Triggered by Data Entry on a Form 168
Driver Formulas That Are Triggered by the Run driver formulas for this form set Option
169
Form Design 169
Form Design Restrictions 169
Delete Behavior with Run Driver Formulas for this Form Set Option 170
Number of Driver Formulas in a Model 170
Chapter 12 Optimizing Formula Performance 171
Overview 171
Comparing the Execution of Driver Formulas and Modeling Formulas 171
Managing Formulas for Performance 173
Introduction 173
Using CubeFormulasInfo and QueryStats Logging 177
Applying Performance Improvements 177
Introduction 178
Example 1 178
Example 2 181
 Contents ix

Chapter 13 Troubleshooting 187

Introduction 187
Troubleshooting in SAS Financial Management Studio 187
Reviewing Formula Validation within a Model 187
Troubleshooting in Microsoft Excel and on the Web 188
Verifying Formula Results with the Excel Add-In 189
Introduction 189
Step 1: Verify That the Formula Expression Is Executing for the Analyzed Cell 189
Step 2: Include All Operands on the Table; Review Formula Input Values 190
Step 3: Ensure That Inputs Match the Formula Expression 190
Formula Results in a NaN or Zero 191
Web Data-Entry Forms 191
Troubleshooting Excel-based Calculated Members 192
x Contents
 1

1
C H A P T E R

Introduction

Included in This Document ........................................................................................................................... 1

Additional Documentation ............................................................................................................................ 1
Example Data ................................................................................................................................................ 1

Included in This Document

This document covers the following SAS Financial Management topics:
 formula types
 formula computations
 basic and advanced formula concepts
 formula restrictions
 statistical account behavior
 commonly used functions
 interactions with load and delete data options
 using driver formulas
 optimizing formula performance
 troubleshooting
This document is intended for process and budget administrators who have a
fundamental understanding of accounting concepts and financial reporting, planning,
and forecasting. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the general concepts and
capabilities of SAS Financial Management.

Additional Documentation
For additional information about using the SAS Financial Management clients (SAS
Financial Management Studio, SAS Financial Management Add-In for Microsoft Excel
and the web-based Financial Form Manager software), refer to SAS Financial
Management: Process Administrator’s Guide or the online Help for each client.

Example Data
The examples provided in this document were performed using SAS Financial
Management 5.5. The query results are displayed in the SAS Financial Management
Add-In for Microsoft Excel and through web-based data entry tables.
The examples use a standard set of dimensions, hierarchies, and members.
2 Example Data Chapter 1

The dimensions used in the examples are as follows:

 Organization
 Account
 Analysis
 Currency
 Product
 Customer
 Time
The hierarchies are as follows:
Note: Bold text denotes roll-up points.

ORGANIZATION

Worldwide Operations
U.S. Operations
Sales
Central
Eastern
Western
Administration
Corporate Comm
Facilities
Human Resources
Finance
Accounting
Corporate Legal
Payroll
Purchasing
Product Delivery
Telemarketing
Technology
Information Systems
Publications
Quality Assurance
Research
Technical Support
European Operations
European Sales
Admin Europe
HR Europe
IT Support - Europe
Canada Operations
Canada Sales
Admin Canada
HR Canada
IT Support - Canada
Mexico Operations
Mexico Sales
Admin Mexico
HR Mexico
IT Support - Mexico
 Introduction Example Data 3

ACCOUNT

Net Income
Income Tax
Income before Taxes
Operating Expense
Administrative Expense
Office Supplies
Postage
Other Administrative Expenses

Facilities
Rent
Electric
Water
Repairs & Maintenance
Telecom
I/S Expenses
Other Facilities Expenses
Marketing Expense
Advertising
Promotions
Other Marketing Expenses
Selling Expense
Staff Expenses
Salaries
Benefits
Travel
Other Selling Expenses
Other Operating Expense
Gross Profit
Sales
Cost of Sales
Balance Sheet
Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Accounts Receivable
Accounts & Notes Receivable
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Inventory
Investment in Subs
Liabilities
Accounts Payable
Notes Payable
Other Accrued Liabilities
Stockholder’s Equity
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Pr Year Retained Earnings
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
4 Example Data Chapter 1

Ending Headcount
Units Sold

ANALYSIS

Actual
Budget
Forecast

CURRENCY

USD
CAD
EUR
MXN

PRODUCT

Product Total
Video Games
Action
Simulation
Arcade
Puzzle
Hardware
Game Controller
Joy Stick
Flight Stick
Publications
How to Use Simulator
Arcade Secrets
Puzzle Tricks

CUSTOMER

Customer Total
Partner
HAL
Accents
Grand Hampton
Direct
Buy Best
SW Mart
Radio City
Resellers
Jones Distributing
Westco
Government
DOD
Civilian
State & Local
 Introduction Example Data 5

TIME

All Years
2012
Q1 2012
Jan 2012
Feb 2012
Mar 2012
Q2 2012
Apr 2012
May 2012
Jun 2012
Q3 2012
Jul 2012
Aug 2012
Sep 2012
Q4 2012
Oct 2012
Nov 2012
Dec 2012
2013
Q1 2013
Jan 2013
Feb 2013
Mar 2013
Q2 2013
Apr 2013
May 2013
Jun 2013
Q3 2013
Jul 2013
Aug 2013
Sep 2013
Q4 2013
Oct 2013
Nov 2013
Dec 2013
6 Example Data Chapter 1
 7

2
C H A P T E R

Formula Types

Overview of Formula Types and Formulas ................................................................................................... 7

Reporting Formulas and Excel-Based Calculated Members ........................................................................ 8
Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 8
Calculation Method ................................................................................................................................ 8
Currency Conversion Method ................................................................................................................. 8
Fact Storage ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Treatment of NaNs ................................................................................................................................. 9
Dimension Type ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Reuse....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Choosing Whether to Use a Reporting Formula or an Excel-Based Calculated Member ..................... 9
Driver and Modeling Formulas................................................................................................................... 10
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 10
Calculation Method .............................................................................................................................. 10
Currency Conversion Method ............................................................................................................... 10
Fact Storage ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Treatment of NaNs ............................................................................................................................... 10
Dimension Type .................................................................................................................................... 11
Reuse..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Choosing Whether to Use a Driver Formula or a Modeling Formula ................................................. 11

Overview of Formula Types and Formulas

SAS Financial Management supports four types of formulas: reporting formulas,
modeling formulas, driver formulas, and Excel-based calculated member formulas. A
formula is a mathematical expression that returns a value when it runs. A formula can
be created on a calculated member in the Dimensions workspace in SAS Financial
Management Studio.
Formula types derive their names based on when they run and where they are most
commonly used in financial reporting and planning. Reporting formulas and Excel-based
calculated member formulas run post-query. This means that the formulas typically are
based on data inputs provided in a query. The most common examples are ratios such as
Gross Profit Percentage and Earnings per Share.
Modeling formulas and driver formulas can be thought of as data-creation formulas;
they generate data that can be consumed by reporting formulas and Excel-based
calculated member formulas. These formulas also generate accounting logic such as
Retained Earnings and Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA) accounts. For this
reason, they are often termed pre-query formulas. Typical examples include Sales based
on Price and Units, Estimated Benefits Expense based on Salaries, and Training
Expense based on Headcount.
Choosing the formula type of a calculated member requires consideration of the
following properties:
 calculation method
 currency conversion method
8 Reporting Formulas and Excel-Based Calculated Members Chapter 2

 fact storage
 treatment of NaNs (Not a Number)
 dimension type
 reuse

The following sections describe the various formula types and their properties.

Reporting Formulas and Excel-Based Calculated Members

Introduction
Reporting formulas and Excel-based calculated members are generally recommended
for ratios and other values that do not need to be aggregated, such as key performance
indicators.

Calculation Method
Reporting formulas and Excel-based calculated members run at each member in a
hierarchy and do not distinguish between leaf members and roll-up points. The following
illustrates their calculation behavior:

Currency Conversion Method

Reporting formula and Excel-based calculated member results are converted using
the currency and frequency specified on the table. This method implies that it is not
necessary to determine functional currency values before returning formula results.
This method is called the reporting currency approach. For more information, see
Chapter 3, “Formula Computation.”

Fact Storage
Results for reporting formulas and Excel-based calculated members are computed at
the time of a query. Their values are not stored in the database, but are generated on an
as-needed basis.
 Formula Types Reporting Formulas and Excel-Based Calculated Members 9

Treatment of NaNs
Invalid Reporting and Excel-based calculated member formula expressions result in a
NaN (Not a Number) on a table when queried. For these two formula types, a calculated
member that results in a NaN returns a red cell. Cell Information provides a message
explaining why the query for a particular crossing failed. Examples of invalid formula
expressions and calculated member restrictions are discussed further in Chapter 7,
“Calculated Members Restrictions.”

Dimension Type
Reporting and Excel-based calculated members can be created for the following
dimension types:
 Account
 IntOrg
 Analysis
 Custom

In addition, Excel-based calculated members can be created on the Time dimension as

well.

Reuse
Reporting formulas are centrally managed in the Dimensions workspace of SAS
Financial Management Studio. Given appropriate security, reporting formula calculated
members are available to many users because they are server-side calculations. As a
result, the formula is considered reusable.
Excel-based calculated members are created and maintained in the Excel Add-In
client. Because they are not server-side calculations, they are not considered reusable.
They are available on a table-by-table basis only.

Choosing Whether to Use a Reporting Formula or an Excel-Based

Calculated Member
The choice between a Reporting formula and an Excel-based calculated member
should be based on the need for reuse and the dimension type of the calculated member.
Excel-based calculated members are generally best for ad hoc calculations that are not
required for ongoing reporting and analysis purposes. Reporting formulas are created on
the server, so they’re created by an Administrator and can be reused by models and
cycles. Both formula types have minimal performance impact, but Excel-based
calculated members are more efficient since they do not run on the server.
10 Driver and Modeling Formulas Chapter 2

Driver and Modeling Formulas

Introduction
Driver formulas and modeling formulas are typically associated with calculations
used in the budgeting and forecasting process. Examples include Estimated Sales based
on Price and Units, Benefits Expense based on Salaries & Wages, and Training Expense
based on Ending Headcount.

Calculation Method
Driver formulas and modeling formulas run at leaf members, and results are summed
at roll-up points. The following illustrates their calculation behavior:

Currency Conversion Method

Driver formula inputs and modeling formula inputs are converted using the
functional currency of the Organization member and the PTD frequency. Then, the PTD
results are converted to PA results, and the PA results are finally converted using the
currency and frequency as specified in the table. This method is called the functional
currency approach. For more information about the functional currency approach, see
Chapter 3, “Formula Computation.”

Fact Storage
Results for driver formulas are stored in the database as facts for the BaseForm
member of the Source dimension. Results for modeling formulas are computed as needed
at the time of a query. They are not stored in the database.

Treatment of NaNs
For invalid formula expressions on driver and modeling formula types, query results
and available Cell Information differ significantly. Modeling formulas perform similarly
to reporting formulas and Excel-based calculated members in that the crossing displays
a red cell and Cell Information provides a message explaining why the query for a
particular crossing failed.
To minimize the number of NaN facts generated and stored for Driver formulas, the
query results for a driver formula type with an invalid formula expression return gray,
 Formula Types Driver and Modeling Formulas 11

non-writeable cells with a value of zero displayed. Also, Cell Information says that the
query succeeded.

Dimension Type
Driver formulas and modeling formulas are available only in the Account dimension.

Reuse
Driver formulas and modeling formulas are centrally managed in the Dimensions
workspace of SAS Financial Management Studio. Given appropriate security, these
calculated members are available to many users because they are server-side
calculations. As a result, driver and modeling formula types are considered reusable.

Choosing Whether to Use a Driver Formula or a Modeling

Formula
The choice between a driver formula and a modeling formula should be based on
whether significant changes are expected to the formula expression inputs, exchange
rates, and driver rates. If minimal change is expected, you should assign calculated
members as driver formulas to maximize formula performance.
12 Driver and Modeling Formulas Chapter 2
 13

3
C H A P T E R

Formula Computation

Order of Execution ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 13
Formulas .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Facts ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Rates ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Results .................................................................................................................................................. 15
Functional Currency Approach ................................................................................................................... 17
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 17
Four Steps ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Formula ................................................................................................................................................ 17
Facts ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Rates ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Step 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Step 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Step 3 ............................................................................................................................................ 19
Step 4 ............................................................................................................................................ 19
Reporting Currency Approach ..................................................................................................................... 20
Formula ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Facts ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Rates ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Step 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 21
Step 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 21

Order of Execution

Introduction
The order of execution is as follows:
1 Facts
2 Intercompany eliminations
3 Driver formulas
4 Modeling formulas
5 Retained Earnings and Cumulative Translation Adjustment accounts
6 Reporting formulas
This execution order allows both modeling formulas and driver formulas to be
indirectly referenced or directly referenced as source accounts of Retained Earnings
accounts and Cumulative Translation Adjustment accounts. Reporting formulas are
calculated after Retained Earnings accounts and Cumulative Translation Adjustment
accounts. Therefore, reporting formulas do not contribute to the results of Retained
Earnings accounts and Cumulative Translation Adjustment accounts.
Simply stated, each level can consume its own level as well as the level(s) before it.
Note that currency conversion occurs at each level of execution.
14 Order of Execution Chapter 3

To illustrate execution order, the following example includes a reporting formula, a

modeling formula, a driver formula, and an Excel-based calculated member. The
formulas, facts, rates, and results are as follows:

Formulas
Reporting Formula (RF):
Training Expense - RF = ["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"]*200
Modeling Formula (MF):
Training Expense - MF = ["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"]*300
Driver Formula (DF):
Training Expense - DF = ["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"]*400
Excel-based Calculated Member (XB):
Training Expense - XB =fmValue("Ending Headcount")*500

Facts
The following PTD facts have no currency assigned (NONE) for Ending Headcount.
The Ending Headcount is a Statistical Balance account type.
Jan 2013 2.0
Feb 2013 2.5
Mar 2013 3.0

Rates
The following Period Average rates apply for currency conversion from CAD to USD:
Jan 2013 0.90
Feb 2013 0.91
Mar 2013 0.92
The following Period Close rates apply for currency conversion from CAD to USD:
Jan 2013 0.895
Feb 2013 0.905
Mar 2013 0.915
 Formula Computation Order of Execution 15

Results
In CAD, the results are displayed as follows:

In this table, note the following:

 Roll-up points and Retained Earnings do not include the results of the Training
Expense - RF and Training Expense - XB members.
 Results for the Training Expense - RF and Training Expense - XB members for Q1
2013 are calculated using formulas. (This is not realistic behavior.)
 The Source account to the Retained Earnings account member is Net Income.
 The Source account to the Cumulative Translation Adjustment account member is
Stockholder’s Equity.
16 Order of Execution Chapter 3

When converted to USD, the results are as follows:

In this table, note the following:

 The Training Expense - RF and Training Expense - XB member results display
the same values in CAD and USD due to the use of the reporting currency
approach.
 The Cumulative Translation Adjustment account is computed as follows:
Jan 2013
(1400.00 * 0.895) - (1400.00 * 0.90) = 1253.00 - 1260.00 = (7.00)
Feb 2013
((1400+1750) * 0.905) - ((1400 * 0.9) + (1750 * 0.91)) = 2850.75 -2852.50 =
(1.75)
Mar 2013 and Q1 2013
((1400+1750+2100) * 0.915) - ((1400 * 0.9) + (1750 * 0.91) + (2100 * 0.92)) =
4803.75 - 4784.50 = 19.25
Note: The assigned formula type for the calculated member determines the assumed
currency of constants and DRATEs referenced in the formula expression:
 the IntOrg’s functional currency for modeling formulas and driver formulas
 the currency specified by the query for reporting formulas and Excel-based
calculated members
 Formula Computation Functional Currency Approach 17

Functional Currency Approach

Introduction
In versions prior to SAS Financial Management 4.4, all formula results were
computed using the currency and frequency as specified in the table. Beginning with
SAS Financial Management 4.4, only reporting formulas and Excel-based calculated
members continue to use this currency conversion method. Modeling formulas and
driver formulas now use the functional currency approach. Modeling formula and driver
formula calculations always take place in the functional currency of the IntOrg member.
The results are then converted to the reporting currency, which might or might not be
the same as the functional currency. The reporting currency is the currency that is
specified in the table, either explicitly or through the table default read member.

Four Steps
The functional currency approach has four steps to accurately calculate and currency
convert modeling formulas and driver formulas:
 Step 1: Convert data input(s) to the functional currency using the PTD frequency.
 Step 2: Solve for the calculated member in the functional currency using the PTD
frequency.
 Step 3: Solve for the Period Activity frequency in the functional currency based on
the PTD results that are derived in Step Two.
 Step 4: Convert results to the reporting currency and frequency as specified in the
table based on the Period Activity results that are derived in Step Three.
Note: Any constants are considered to be in the functional currency of the IntOrg
member that they were entered on.
To illustrate these four steps, we use the following example with a driver formula.
The formula, facts, rates, and results are given below.

Formula
Driver Formula:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts = ["ACCOUNT"="Accounts & Notes
Receivable"]*["ACCOUNT"="Doubtful Accounts %"]

Facts
The following PTD facts are in USD for Accounts Receivable—a balance account type.
The facts are not in the functional currency of the Admin Canada organization member.
Dec 2012 100
Jan 2013 200
Feb 2013 250
Mar 2013 400
18 Functional Currency Approach Chapter 3

Rates
The following Period Close rates apply for currency conversion from EUR to USD:
Dec 2012 0.76
Jan 2013 0.77
Feb 2013 0.78
Mar 2013 0.79

Step 1
Convert data input(s) to the functional currency using the PTD frequency.

Step 2
Solve for the calculated member in the functional currency using the PTD frequency.
 Formula Computation Functional Currency Approach 19

Step 3
Solve for the Period Activity frequency in the functional currency based on the PTD
results that are derived in Step 2.

Step 4
Convert results to the reporting currency and frequency as specified in the table based
on the Period Activity results that are derived in Step 3.
20 Reporting Currency Approach Chapter 3

Reporting Currency Approach

The reporting currency approach is used by reporting formulas and Excel-based
calculated members only. There basically are two steps required to calculate and convert
reporting formulas and Excel-based calculated members:
 Step 1: Convert data input(s) to the currency and frequency as specified in the
table.
 Step 2: Solve for the calculated member in the currency and frequency as
specified in the table.
To illustrate these steps, we use an example of the calculation and conversion of a
reporting formula. The formula, facts, rates, and results are as follows:

Formula
Reporting Formula:
Gross Margin Percentage = ["ACCOUNT"="Gross Margin”]/ ["ACCOUNT"="Sales”]

Facts
The following table displays the facts for Sales and Cost of Sales, which are both flow
account types. The facts were entered in CAD, which is the functional currency for the
Canada Sales organization member.

Rates
The following Period Average rates apply for currency conversion from CAD to USD:
Dec 2012 0.89
Jan 2013 0.90
Feb 2013 0.91
Mar 2013 0.92
 Formula Computation Reporting Currency Approach 21

Step 1
Convert data input(s) to the currency and frequency as specified in the table.

Step 2
Solve for the calculated member in the currency and frequency as specified in the
table.
22 Reporting Currency Approach Chapter 3
 23

4
C H A P T E R

Formula Basics for Server-Side

Calculated Members

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 23
Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member ............................................................................................... 23
Adding Formulas to a Member ................................................................................................................... 38
Removing Formulas from a Member ........................................................................................................... 40
Editing a Calculated Member ..................................................................................................................... 42
Account Types for Calculated Members ...................................................................................................... 43
Resolving Conflicts between Dimensions .................................................................................................... 43
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 43
Scenario 1. Account Dimension Has Higher Rank than Analysis Dimension .................................... 45
Scenario 2. Analysis Dimension Has Higher Rank than Account Dimension .................................... 46
Virtual Child Members ................................................................................................................................ 47
Viewing Formula Information in SAS Financial Management Studio ..................................................... 47
Viewing Formula Information in Excel ...................................................................................................... 50

Introduction
This chapter covers the fundamentals for server-side formula creation and
management as well as other relevant information.

Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member

In SAS Financial Management Studio, you can create reporting formulas, modeling
formulas, and driver formulas. You use the same action to create a new member with or
without formulas. The following steps illustrate the creation of a calculated member in
the Account dimension. Note that only the Account dimension offers three formula
types. In all other dimensions, only reporting formulas are available. Also, note that the
Account dimension includes additional member property windows such as Account Type
and Intercompany.
24 Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member Chapter 4

To create a new member in the Account dimension, click Add a member to this
hierarchy on the Hierarchies tab or Create a new member on the Members tab
(shown below).

1. Select Create a new member with formulas and click Next.

Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 25

2. After completing the required member property information, select the desired
formula type and click Next.

3. On the Formulas page, click the Create a new formula icon.

26 Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member Chapter 4

4. On the Formula page, name the formula.

The name given here is displayed via Cell Information in the Excel Add-In.
Click Edit to open the Edit Expression page.

The Edit Expressions window has three tabs for creating and managing formula
expressions:
 The Functions tab provides a comprehensive list of functions that are
available in SAS Financial Management.
 The Members tab is the default tab that is displayed when opening the
Formula Editor window. It provides the current hierarchical view of members
based on the selected dimension and hierarchy.
 The Driver Rate Types tab offers a separate workspace for selecting rates.

Use these tabs to enter the expression text.

Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 27

5. Highlight the member(s), function(s), and rate(s) to be included. Click Insert.

You can also type the formula expression directly into the Expression Text
region.
28 Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member Chapter 4

6. Click Validate Expression or OK to validate that the expression is correct.

Upon validation, you can assign fixed members to the formula expression. Fixed
members are considered an extension of a formula expression. The selection of a
default member is applied universally to all of the formula inputs for the current
formula expression.
To illustrate, you can create a formula that applies only to the BaseForm Source
member. There are two ways to write the formula, with and without fixed
members:
Option 1: With Fixed Members
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 29

Option 2: Without Fixed Members

The two options return identical results. The only difference is in the setup and
maintenance of the formula expression.
30 Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member Chapter 4

7. To use fixed members, select the Assign fixed members check box.

8. Click the green plus icon to select a fixed member.

9. Select the desired dimension type, dimension, and hierarchy.
Members are displayed in the context of the current view of the selected
dimension and hierarchy.
10. Select the default member of a given hierarchy or a different member.
Either option allows for only one default member per dimension type.
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 31

11. Highlight the desired member and click Apply.

The member selected is displayed on the Expression tab. For more information
about the use of fixed members with calculated members, see Chapter 6,
32 Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member Chapter 4

“Advanced Formula Concepts.”

Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 33

12. Click Next to advance to the Scope tab.

By specifying a scope for a formula, you can restrict the set of crossings where the
formula runs. Depending on the formula type, this can improve formula
performance. It is also important when you define multiple formulas on the same
member. For details about defining multiple formulas on a member, see Chapter
6, “Advanced Formula Concepts.”
Scoping can optionally be applied to dimension members, properties associated
with members, or both.
34 Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member Chapter 4

13. To use the scope functionality, select the Limit the calculation range check box.

14. Similar to fixed members, click the green plus icon to select members or properties
for scoping.
For member scoping, select the desired dimension type, dimension, and hierarchy.
Members are displayed in the context of the current view of the selected
dimension and hierarchy. You can select from the available hierarchies and choose
multiple members in each dimension.
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 35

15. Highlight the desired member(s) and select the desired Member Selection Rule
associated with the member as well as whether to apply to the virtual children.

16. Click Apply and Close when member scoping is complete.

The results of specifying member scope for the formula are displayed on the Scope
tab. You can specify additional members or select properties to scope by.
17. To select properties, click the green plus icon.
36 Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member Chapter 4

18. Select the desired dimension type, property, and operator.

Property values are displayed in the context of the current view of the selected.
You can select multiple property types and values in each dimension.

19. Click Add and Close to see the summary of member and property scoping on the
Scope tab.
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Creating a Server-Side Calculated Member 37

20. Click Finish when the formula scope specification is complete.

A summary window shows the expression text, fixed members, member, and
property scope of the formula that you have created.

21. Click Finish if the information is correct.

This completes the creation of a single formula on a member. At this point, you have
not yet completed all the required steps for the addition of the calculated member. You
are returned to the Formulas page. On the Formulas page, you can create additional
formulas, edit existing formulas, or view the properties of existing formulas.
Repeat steps 3 (page 25) through 20 to create multiple formulas on the same member.
38 Adding Formulas to a Member Chapter 4

Adding Formulas to a Member

The following steps illustrate the addition of a formula to an existing member of the
Account dimension. Note that only the Account dimension offers three formula types. In
all other dimensions, only reporting formulas are available.
To add a formula to an existing member, highlight the member and either double-
click the member or select the Show properties icon. On the Formulas page, the
Reporting formula type is selected as the default. To select a different formula type, click
Edit.
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Adding Formulas to a Member 39

1. Select the desired formula type and click Next.

2. On the Formulas page, select the Create a new formula icon.

See steps 3 (page 25) through 20 in the preceding section for detailed information
about creating formulas.
40 Removing Formulas from a Member Chapter 4

Removing Formulas from a Member

The following steps show how to remove a formula from a member of the Account
dimension.
1. Highlight the member and either double-click or select the Show properties icon.
2. Click the Formulas page.
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Removing Formulas from a Member 41

3. Highlight the formulas that you want to remove and click the Delete icon.

When you click the Delete icon, the formula expression(s) is removed. However, the
deletion is not final until you click OK. If you click Cancel, then no changes are saved,
and the formulas are not deleted. If you click OK, then changes are saved and the
formula expressions are gone.
Note: If you delete a driver formula for which results have been computed and stored,
the stored results are not deleted. To delete the stored results, select the Run driver
formulas for this form set option for the appropriate form set.
42 Editing a Calculated Member Chapter 4

Editing a Calculated Member

The following steps show how to edit formula properties for a calculated member of
the Account dimension.
1. Highlight the member and either double-click or select the Show properties icon.
2. Click the Formulas page.

You can edit the following formula properties:

 Formula type (Account dimension only)
 Formula name
 Expression text
 Fixed members
 Scope

Detailed steps for editing these properties are in the first section of this chapter. As
with all properties, changes to formula-related properties are subject to versioning. A
hierarchy that has a time/date stamp that is earlier than the time when a certain
change was made to the formula still uses the formula as it was before the change.
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Resolving Conflicts between Dimensions 43

Account Types for Calculated Members

The behavior of calculated members in the Account dimension is influenced by the
member’s account type. Here are the available account types, grouped by category:
Balance Account Types
Asset
Liability
Equity
Statistical Balance

Flow Account Types

Revenue
Expense
Statistical Flow

Other Account Types

Statistical
The Retained Earnings and Cumulative Translation Adjustment account types cannot
be associated with formulas and are therefore excluded from the preceding list.
Formula results are calculated by a distinct method for each account type category.
The methods are:
 Balance account types aggregate and then convert results.
 Flow account types convert and then aggregate results.
Statistical accounts do not participate in aggregation or conversion.
The calculation and currency conversion methods depend on the account type of the
calculated member.

Resolving Conflicts between Dimensions

Introduction
Formula conflicts are limited to reporting formulas. Due to execution order, driver
formulas and modeling formulas always run before reporting formulas and are available
only in the Account dimension. Since only the Account dimension allows driver formulas
and modeling formulas, there are never any conflicts with these formula types.
44 Resolving Conflicts between Dimensions Chapter 4

However, a model with reporting formulas in more than one dimension can have
crossings that have two or more formulas associated with them. In such a case, the
formula rank determines which formula runs at the crossing. The rank is managed
through Model Properties on the Formulas page, as shown here:

To illustrate formula rank, consider the following two reporting formula expressions:
Account dimension: Sales = ["ACCOUNT"="Price"]*["ACCOUNT"="Units"]*-1
Analysis dimension: Variance = ["ANALYSIS"="Budget"]-["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]
We follow a scenario for each expression:
 “Scenario 1: Account Dimension Has Higher Rank than Analysis Dimension”
 “Scenario 2: Analysis Dimension Has Higher Rank than Account Dimension”
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Resolving Conflicts between Dimensions 45

Scenario 1. Account Dimension Has Higher Rank than Analysis

Dimension
The Account dimension is ranked higher than the Analysis dimension, as shown in
the preceding window. This means that the Account formula runs at the crossing where
the formulas conflict, as shown here:

With the Account dimension ranked first, Variance for Sales is computed as
0 * 20 * -1 = 0.
1. At the crossing for the Sales Account and Variance Analysis members, select
Tools  Cell Information to view the following message:
46 Resolving Conflicts between Dimensions Chapter 4

Scenario 2. Analysis Dimension Has Higher Rank than Account

Dimension
1. Update the formula rank such that the Analysis dimension is ranked first on the
Formulas page, as shown here:

The resulting read-only table appears as follows:

With the Analysis dimension ranked first, Variance for Sales is computed as
(21,000.00) - (20,000.00) = (1,000.00).
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Viewing Formula Information in SAS Financial Management
Studio 47

2. At the crossing for the Sales Account and Variance Analysis members, select
Tools  Cell Information to view the following message:

Note that the cell information reflects the formula expression based on rank. The cell
information includes the formula expression for the Variance Analysis member, because
it is ranked first.

Virtual Child Members

In SAS Financial Management, a virtual child is automatically available to a member
that is designated as a roll-up. A virtual child enables you to enter values at a roll-up
point where less detail is required and/or spreading or allocations are involved. Virtual
children are available for these dimension types:
 IntOrg
 Account
 Custom

A virtual child is similar to an ordinary leaf member in that a formula can run on a
virtual child. In contrast, a virtual child differs from an ordinary leaf member in that
you cannot assign a formula to a virtual child. A formula on a roll-up member is always
ignored, and the result is the sum of leaf values.

Viewing Formula Information in SAS Financial Management Studio

SAS Financial Management Studio provides formula information in the Dimensions
and Models workspaces. In the Dimensions workspace, formula information is available
on the Members and Hierarchies tabs for all dimension types that support calculated
members. The Account dimension type offers optional informational headers and
columns for both Formula Type and Formula Count. For Intorg, Analysis, and custom
dimension types, only Formula Count is offered. The Formula Count header provides
the number of formulas on a calculated member. For a detailed discussion of defining
multiple formulas on the same member, see Chapter 6, “Advanced Formula Concepts.”
48 Viewing Formula Information in SAS Financial Management Studio Chapter 4

The following window illustrates the optional headers displayed for the Account
dimension type:

In the Models workspace, Model Properties displays the number of members with
formulas on the Formulas page for each dimension in the model, based on the selected
hierarchy and as-of-date.
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Viewing Formula Information in SAS Financial Management
Studio 49

For more information about the formulas, click the Show Formulas box. This provides
information about all formulas in the model based on the selected hierarchies and as-of-
dates.

Formula detail can be filtered based on the formula type and is displayed by
dimension member code. Each formula displays the name of the calculated member, the
Dimension that the calculated member is in, and the number of formula expressions on
the member. Expanding the calculated member displays the various formula
expressions on the member. Each formula expression displays the name as well the
formula syntax. Any scoping and/or fixed member information is also included in the
Details window.
50 Viewing Formula Information in Excel Chapter 4

Viewing Formula Information in Excel

Formula information is available on a crossing-by-crossing basis in the Excel Add-In.
For either a data-entry table or a read-only table, you can select Tools  Cell
Information from the SAS Financial Management menu to view formula
information. The following formula information is displayed:
 Formula type
 Dimension of calculated member
 Formula expression
 Name of formula
 Fixed members, if any
Formula Basics for Server-Side Calculated Members Viewing Formula Information in Excel 51

To illustrate, the following message is displayed for the driver formula Allowance for
Doubtful Accounts:

Here are some points to keep in mind when querying for formula details:
 In the event of a formula conflict involving two or more formulas on the same
crossing, the formula expression that is ranked higher is displayed.
 For modeling formulas and driver formulas, all members of the selected crossing
must be leaf members. Therefore, all dimensions, including Trader and Source,
must have a leaf member selected. This means that you must select a leaf member
for every dimension that is displayed in the table. In addition, the table default
member must be a leaf member for any dimension that is in the model but not
displayed in the table.
52 Viewing Formula Information in Excel Chapter 4
 53

5
C H A P T E R

Formula Basics for Excel-Based

Calculated Members

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 54
Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member............................................................................................. 54
Removing an Excel-Based Calculated Member........................................................................................... 59
Editing an Excel-Based Calculated Member .............................................................................................. 60
Viewing Formula Information for Excel-Based Calculated Members ........................................................ 63
Pivoting an Excel-Based Calculated Member ............................................................................................. 63
Resolving Conflicts between Excel-Based Calculated Members ................................................................. 65
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 65
Excel-Based Calculated Member Expressions ..................................................................................... 65
Results .................................................................................................................................................. 65
Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas ........................................................................... 67
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 67
fmValue Function................................................................................................................................. 67
Use ................................................................................................................................................ 67
Syntax ........................................................................................................................................... 67
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 67
fmCode Function .................................................................................................................................. 67
Use ................................................................................................................................................ 67
Syntax ........................................................................................................................................... 67
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 68
fmProperty Function ............................................................................................................................ 68
Use ................................................................................................................................................ 68
Syntax ........................................................................................................................................... 69
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 69
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 69
fmRate Function................................................................................................................................... 70
Use ................................................................................................................................................ 70
Driver Rate Table in SAS Financial Management Studio .......................................................... 70
Syntax ........................................................................................................................................... 70
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 71
fmXRate Function ................................................................................................................................ 71
Use ................................................................................................................................................ 71
Syntax ........................................................................................................................................... 71
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 71
Example of Resulting CDA Formula ............................................................................................ 72
fmCXRate Function.............................................................................................................................. 72
Use ................................................................................................................................................ 72
Syntax ........................................................................................................................................... 72
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 73
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 73
Examples ....................................................................................................................................... 74
Reference to another Excel-Based Calculated Member in the Same Dimension ......................... 74
Absolute References to Cells in the Same Workbook............................................................................ 76
Using Any Excel Function or Valid Excel Expression ......................................................................... 77
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 77
Example ........................................................................................................................................ 77
Excel-Based Calculated Members and Display Styles ........................................................................ 78
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 78
Scenario 1: Excel Styles Set to Display Default for Debit and Credit Balances .......................... 78
Scenario 2: Excel Styles Set to Display Credit Balances as Positive ........................................... 79
54 Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member Chapter 5

Scenario 3: Excel Styles Set to Display Credit Balances as Positive and Referenced Members Not
Displayed on the Table ................................................................................................................. 80
Formulas That Run Out of Bounds ..................................................................................................... 81
Excel-Based Calculated Members on the Web ..................................................................................... 82
Differences between Calculated Members in Excel and on the Web .................................................... 82
Scenario 1. Time Offsets ............................................................................................................... 82
Scenario 2. Referencing a Member or Hidden Member Not on the Table.................................... 82
Scenario 3. Placing an Excel-Based Calculated Member Before or After a Member or Hidden
Member Not on the Table ............................................................................................................. 82
Excel-Based Calculated Members and Supplemental Tables ............................................................. 83

Introduction
Using the SAS Financial Management for Microsoft Excel Add-In, you can create
Excel-based calculated members on a table-by-table basis. Excel-based calculated
members look the same as members that are created in SAS Financial Management
Studio. They are most similar in behavior to reporting formulas, sharing similar
calculation and currency conversion methods. They differ primarily in reuse because
formulas are created and saved locally, not on the server.
Excel-based calculated members support any combination of the following in a
formula expression:
 reference to any member in the same dimension
 absolute reference to any crossing in a table in the same workbook
 absolute reference to any cell in the same workbook
 any Excel function or valid Excel expression

Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member

The following steps show how to create an Excel-based calculated member in the
Account dimension.
1 Place the cursor in any cell of an active table and select Members  Calculated
Members from the SAS Financial Management menu.
The following window appears:
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member 55

2 Select New, highlight the desired dimension, and click Next.

The Position page displays the hierarchical view of the current members selected
for display in the table. To determine the placement of the calculated member,
highlight an available member and choose whether to display the calculated
member before or after the selected member.
56 Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member Chapter 5

3 Click Next to advance.

4 Enter the code, name, and description of the calculated member that you are
creating. Click Next.

5 Type the formula expression directly in the Formula page or use the icons.
Using the Formula Cell Selector (the icon in the lower left) is an easy way to
select dimension members and cell references.
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member 57

Similar to formula definition in Excel, the Formula Cell Selector is updated with
the cell references and dimension members based on cursor placement and
selection.

6 Click the Formula Cell Selector icon.

You are returned to the Formula window.

7 After you complete the formula expression, select Validate to ensure its
accuracy. Click OK and then click Finish.
58 Creating an Excel-Based Calculated Member Chapter 5

In the following window, you can create a new Excel-based calculated member,
view properties of existing members, and delete or disable existing members.

8 Click OK to finish creating a new member.

The results are displayed in the following table:
 Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Removing an Excel-Based Calculated Member 59

Removing an Excel-Based Calculated Member

You can remove Excel-based calculated members either by disabling them or deleting
them. The following steps illustrate how to remove an existing Excel-based calculated
member:
9 With the cursor in any cell of an active table, select Members  Calculated Members from
the SAS Financial Management menu.
The following window appears:

Highlight the member that you want to remove.

60 Editing an Excel-Based Calculated Member Chapter 5

Either deselect the highlighted calculated member or click Delete.

When you click OK, either action (deselect or click the button) removes the member
from the display. Deselecting a calculated member saves it for use at a later time.

Editing an Excel-Based Calculated Member

The following steps illustrate how to edit an existing Excel-based Calculated Member:
1 With the cursor in any cell of an active table, select Members  Calculated
Members from the SAS Financial Management menu.
The following window appears:

2
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Editing an Excel-Based Calculated Member 61

2 With the cursor in any cell of an active table, select Members  Calculated
Members from the SAS Financial Management menu.
Highlight the member that you want to edit.

3 Click Properties to open the calculated member’s Properties window.

The default tab displayed is the General tab. This is where you modify the name,
description, and position.
62 Editing an Excel-Based Calculated Member Chapter 5

4 On the Formula tab, modify the formula expression and then click Validate.

5 If the formula is valid, click OK.

6 Click OK and Finish.

 Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Pivoting an Excel-Based Calculated Member 63

7 Click OK to finish editing the calculated member.

Viewing Formula Information for Excel-Based Calculated Members

To view formula information for Excel-based calculated members, select Members 
Calculated Members from the SAS Financial Management menu and follow steps
similar to the steps for editing an Excel-based calculated member.

Pivoting an Excel-Based Calculated Member

Not only do Excel-based calculated members look like server-side members, they can
also be pivoted and function as table slicers. As illustrated in the first section of this
chapter, the calculated member Bonus Percentage was originally displayed in the table
rows, as shown here:
64 Pivoting an Excel-Based Calculated Member Chapter 5

You can modify the table using Members  Pivot on the SAS Financial
Management menu. The following updated table illustrates the calculated member on
the columns:

You can modify the table to display the Excel-based calculated member as a slicer:

You can nest Excel-based calculated members. In the following table, the Bonus
Percentage calculated member is nested inside the Time Dimension on the columns:
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Resolving Conflicts between Excel-Based Calculated Members 65

Resolving Conflicts between Excel-Based Calculated Members

Introduction
Excel-based calculated members can conflict only with other Excel-based calculated
members. All server-side formula types (driver, modeling, and reporting) run before
Excel-based calculated members. Therefore, in the event of a conflict involving two or
more Excel-based calculated members, the members can be ordered in a manner similar
to server-side calculated members. Consider the following scenario; there are two Excel-
based calculated members:

Excel-Based Calculated Member Expressions

Account dimension: Training = 1,000.00
Analysis dimension: Variance = fmValue("ACTUAL")-fmValue("BUDGET")

Results
If the Training-calculated member is ranked higher than the Variance-calculated
member as shown here, then the Training formula expression is executed and the
Variance formula expression is ignored.
66 Resolving Conflicts between Excel-Based Calculated Members Chapter 5

With this ranking, the results are as follows:

If the Variance-calculated member is ranked higher than the Training-calculated

member, then the Variance formula expression is executed and the Training formula
expression is ignored.

With this ranking, the results are as follows:

 Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 67

Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas

Introduction
The following sections provide examples for the various functions supported in Excel-
based calculated member formulas.

fmValue Function
Use
The fmValue function is used to retrieve crossing values based on the members
referenced in the formula. This function replaces the Member function in SAS Financial
Management 4.4. Typically, this calculated member is placed on the same dimension as
the member(s) that it references in its formula.

Syntax
fmValue(“<member code name>”)

Example
Variance =
fmValue(“ACTUAL”)-fmValue(“BUDGET”)

fmCode Function
Use
The fmCode function is used to retrieve the dimension member code based on the
dimension referenced in the formula. When used independently of other calculated
member functions, this calculated member should be placed in a dimension other than
the dimension it is referencing in its formula. The following example illustrates this.

Syntax
fmCode(“<dimension code name>”)
68 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

Example
Org Code =
fmCode(“ORGANIZATION”)

The use of the fmCode function is more typically found in conjunction with other
calculated member functions. This use is illustrated in more complex examples later in
this chapter.

fmProperty Function
Use
The fmProperty function is used to retrieve a dimension member’s standard or custom
property values based on the type of property requested.
Following is a list of the Dimensions and standard property types that can be
requested. Note that property types are case sensitive; write them as shown below in the
context of a formula expression:
ACCOUNT
 AccountBehavior
 AccountType
 BalanceType
 ExchangeRateType
 Intercompany

ORGANIZATION
 Functional Currency
 Reporting Entity
TIME
Level
In addition to standard properties, the fmProperty function also retrieves custom
properties created by the user.
When used independently of other calculated member functions, place this calculated
member on a dimension other than the dimension that it references in its formula. The
following example illustrates this.
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 69

Syntax
fmProperty(“<dimension code name>”,”<propertytype>”)

Example
Functional Currency =
fmProperty("ORGANIZATION","FunctionalCurrency")

The fmProperty function is useful when it is paired with other calculated member
functions and IF statements. See “Scenario 2” (page 79) in “Excel-Based Calculated
Members and Display Styles” for an example of a more complex calculated member
formula using IF and fmProperty.
To illustrate the use of Custom Properties, the following table displays the custom
property values assigned to various Customer Dimension members.

Example
Manager =
fmProperty(“Customer”,”Manager”)
70 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

fmRate Function
Use
The fmRate function resolves to a CDARate function. This function is used to retrieve
the driver rate(s) based on the rate type requested. Place this calculated member
function on a dimension other than the dimension in which the rate set is defined on. To
illustrate, assume that an estimated tax rate table was defined based on the IntOrg
dimension. See the following example.

Driver Rate Table in SAS Financial Management Studio

In this rate table, each rate is defined by the specified Internal Organization member.
If a rate is assigned without an Internal Organization member, it is assumed that any
Internal Organization members that are not explicitly stated in the table uses this
generic rate.

Syntax
fmRate(“<rate type code”)
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 71

Example
Est Tax Rates =
fmRate(“Tax Rate”)

fmXRate Function
Use
The fmXRate function is used to retrieve simple exchange rates for a given time
period based on the exchange rate type. Following are a list of simple rates and the
correct syntax as they should be used in the formula expression. Note that exchange
rate types are case sensitive; write them as shown below in the context of a formula
expression:
 PeriodAverage
 PeriodClose
 PeriodOpen
 Custom1
 Custom2
Since exchange rates are defined by time periods, do not place this calculated member
function in the Time dimension. The result of this formula renders to a CDAXRate
function in the table. The following example displays how this formula provides users
more insight to the exchange rates stored in SAS Financial Management Studio.

Syntax
fmXRate("<exchange rate type code>","from currency code","to currency code")

Example
Period Avg Fx Rate – 1 USD per CAD =
fmXrate("PeriodAverage","USD","CAD")
72 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

Example of Resulting CDA Formula

CDAXRate("Model","PeriodAverage","USD","CAD","BUDGET","JAN2013")

fmCXRate Function
Use
The fmCXRate function is used to retrieve complex exchange rates such as historic
and derived rates. Since exchange rates are defined by time periods, do not place this
calculated member function in the Time dimension.
The function should include:
 reference to the specific exchange rate type
 to-and-from currencies
 any dimension code(s) or member code(s) to reference from any additional
dimension(s) in which the member is defined
All other dimension code/member code combinations are retrieved from the slicers and
either row or column members. The following example displays how this formula
provides more insight to the exchange rates stored in SAS Financial Management
Studio.

Syntax
fmCXRate("<exchange rate type code>","<from currency code>","<to currency code>",
"<Dimension Code>","<Member Code>")
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 73

Example
Hist Rate – Common Stock - 1 USD per CAD =
fmCXRate("Historic","USD","CAD","ACCOUNT","E12000")
Example of Resulting CDA Formula
CDACXRate("Model","RATE_TYPE","Historic","USD","CAD","ACTUAL",
"JAN2012", "ACCOUNT", "Common Stock", "ORGANIZATION", "Admin Canada",
"CUSTOM1 (Product)", "Product Total.vc", "CUSTOM2 (Customer)", "Customer
Total.vc", "FREQUENCY", "PTD", "ORGANIZATION_TRADER", "ALL", "SOURCE",
"Total")

Excel-based calculated member functions can also be combined with other Excel-
based calculated member functions in a single formula. This enhances the member
functions’ usefulness as well as providing more dynamic formulas and flexibility. The
following examples illustrate more complex formulas that can be created through the
use of multiple functions within a single formula.
The following example combines the use of the fmValue function and fmProperty
function. This formula is useful when account balances are not displayed with the
default setting.

Example
Variance =
=IF(fmProperty("ACCOUNT","BalanceType")="CREDIT",fmValue("ACTUAL")-
fmValue("BUDGET"),fmValue("BUDGET")-fmValue("ACTUAL"))
74 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

Note that this formula derives its results based on the display state as it appears in
Excel. Any changes in display styles such as positive/negative display of debit and credit
accounts might impact the results of this formula. More on this topic is discussed in
“Excel-Based Calculated Members and Display Styles” (page 78).
The next two formulas are useful to display simple exchange rate values based on the
functional currency for the organizational members displayed.

Examples
Avg Fx Rate per 1 USD =
=fmXrate("PeriodAverage","USD",fmProperty("ORGANIZATION",
"FunctionalCurrency"))
End of Period Fx Rate per 1 USD =
=fmXrate("PeriodClose","USD",fmProperty("ORGANIZATION","FunctionalCurrency"))

Reference to another Excel-Based Calculated Member in the Same

Dimension
Excel-based calculated members can reference other Excel-based calculated members
in the same dimension. To illustrate, consider the following example where Variance
Percentage is an Excel-based calculated member in the Analysis dimension referencing
Variance, also an Excel-based calculated member:
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 75

The resulting read-only table appears as follows:

Although Excel-based calculated members can refer to other Excel-based calculated

members, they cannot refer to a crossing with a value that is generated by an Excel-
based calculated member. A calculated member that refers to such a cell triggers the
following message:
76 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

Absolute References to Cells in the Same Workbook

Except for the resulting value of an Excel-based calculated member, Excel-based
calculated members can refer to any cell in the same workbook, either within or outside
of a table. In the following example, Sublease Income is modified to refer to a percentage
value outside the table.

Note that the cell is rendered as an absolute reference. Based on the formula
expression, Sublease Income is computed as –35% of the Account member Rent. The
resulting read-only table and related cell reference are displayed as follows:

While an Excel-based calculated member formula expression enables you to refer to a

cell in another workbook, the formula runs only when that other workbook is open. For
this reason, it is not recommended to create formulas that refer to cells in other
workbooks.
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 77

Using Any Excel Function or Valid Excel Expression

Introduction
Excel-based calculated members support the use of all Excel functions with formula
expressions. To illustrate, consider the following expression that sums both server-side
and Excel-based calculated member values:

Example
Subtotal - Net Rental Expense =
SUM(fmValue("R32000"),fmValue("Est. Sublease Income"))
78 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

The following table displays the results for the calculated member Subtotal - Net
Rental Expense:

Excel-Based Calculated Members and Display Styles

Introduction
Since fmValue resolves to a cell reference, changes to default styles in Excel such as
the display of debit and credit values in a table can affect the resulting Excel-based
calculated member result. The following examples illustrate the behavior in three
scenarios:

Scenario 1: Excel Styles Set to Display Default for Debit and Credit
Balances
Properties defined on the Model in SAS Financial Management Studio are set to
display debit accounts with a debit balance set to positive and credit accounts with
credit balances as negative numbers.
On the table, Table Properties are set to display debit accounts with a debit balance
as Default and credit accounts with credit balances as Default.
Variance = fmValue("BUDGET")-fmValue("ACTUAL")
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 79

With the members referenced in the Excel-based calculated member on the table in
this example, the formula expression for a single crossing resolves as follows:
=$D$11-$C$11

Scenario 2: Excel Styles Set to Display Credit Balances as Positive

Properties defined on the Model in SAS Financial Management Studio are set to
display debit accounts with a debit balance set to positive and credit accounts with
credit balances as negative numbers.
On the table, Table Properties are set to display debit accounts with a debit balance
as Default and credit accounts with credit balances as Positive.
80 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

In order to return the correct results, the formula is modified as follows:

Variance =
IF(fmProperty("ACCOUNT","BalanceType")="CREDIT",fmValue("ACTUAL")-
fmValue("BUDGET"),fmValue("BUDGET")-fmValue("ACTUAL"))

With the members referenced in the Excel-based calculated member on the table, the
formula expression for a single crossing resolves as follows in this example:
=IF(“Credit”=”CREDIT”,$C$11-$D$11,$D$11-$C$11)

Scenario 3: Excel Styles Set to Display Credit Balances as Positive

and Referenced Members Not Displayed on the Table
Properties defined on the Model in SAS Financial Management Studio are set to
display debit accounts with a debit balance set to positive and credit accounts with
credit balances as negative numbers.
On the table, Table Properties are set to display debit accounts with a debit balance
as Default and credit accounts with credit balances as Positive.
The Actual and Budget Analysis members are not displayed on the Analysis
Dimension.
Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 81

Even when the members referenced in the Excel-based calculated member are not on
the table, FM Table Property styles are still honored and the Variance is calculated
correctly. In order to do this, the resulting formula expression for a given crossing
resolves to the following:
=IF("Credit"="CREDIT",(CDAGet("Formula Guide Model", "Account", "Net Inc",
"Analysis", "Actual", "Organization", "Sales", "Product", "Product Total", "Customer",
"Customer Total", "CURRENCY", "USD", "Time", "Jan 2012", "FREQUENCY", "PTD") *
TableCreditNeg("NewTable0") / TableScale("NewTable0"))-(CDAGet("Formula Guide
Model", "Account", "Net Inc", "Analysis", "Budget", "Organization", "Sales", "Product",
"Product Total", "Customer", "Customer Total", "CURRENCY", "USD", "Time", "Jan
2012", "FREQUENCY", "PTD") * TableCreditNeg("NewTable0") /
TableScale("NewTable0")),(CDAGet("Formula Guide Model", "Account", "Net Inc",
"Analysis", "Budget", "Organization", "Sales", "Product", "Product Total", "Customer",
"Customer Total", "CURRENCY", "USD", "Time", "Jan 2012", "FREQUENCY", "PTD") *
TableCreditNeg("NewTable0") / TableScale("NewTable0"))-(CDAGet("Formula Guide
Model", "Account", "Net Inc", "Analysis", "Actual", "Organization", "Sales", "Product",
"Product Total", "Customer", "Customer Total", "CURRENCY", "USD", "Time", "Jan
2012", "FREQUENCY", "PTD") * TableCreditNeg("NewTable0") /
TableScale("NewTable0")))
The additional information in the formula expression occurs when the member(s)
referenced in the formula are removed from the table. This additional detail provides
the information to support associated styles such as scaling, debit, and credit settings
selected in Excel Properties.

Formulas That Run Out of Bounds

In some scenarios, Excel-based calculated members can be written such that the
member (or members) referenced in the expression are “out of bounds”; that is, the
member is either not on the table or the member is not in the cycle or model. These
scenarios most typically occur when an expression uses a time offset.
When a member is in the cycle and model but not on the table, an Excel-based
calculated member resolves to a CDAGet formula and the requested value is retrieved.
When the member is in the cycle, but not in the model or the member is not in the cycle
or model, the requested result is a zero.
Consider the following Excel-based calculated member:
Beginning Bal - Equipment =
fmValue("Ending Balance - Equipment”","TIME",-1)
82 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5

In the example above, the resulting value for Beginning Balance - Equipment for Jan
2012 is 0.00 since Dec 2011 is not in the cycle or model.

Excel-Based Calculated Members on the Web

All Excel-based calculated member functions are supported on the web. Calculated
members that resolve to CDA formulas are retrieved at the time the form is opened.
FmValue results that resolve to cell references are updated through the following
actions:
 Expanding
 Collapsing
 Pivoting
 Slicing
 Clicking Refresh

Differences between Calculated Members in Excel and on the

Web
Excel behavior and web behavior differ in displaying Excel-based calculated members
in the following scenarios:

Scenario 1. Time Offsets

Example =fmValue("Actual","Time",-1)

Excel The resulting value is displayed.

Web A gray, non-writeable cell is displayed

Scenario 2. Referencing a Member or Hidden Member Not on the

Table
Example =fmValue("Actual") where actual is not displayed on the table

Excel The resulting value is displayed.

Web A gray, non-writeable cell is displayed.

Scenario 3. Placing an Excel-Based Calculated Member Before or

After a Member or Hidden Member Not on the Table
Example =fmValue("Variance to Last Year") which is placed after the Analysis
member Last Year and then Last Year is not displayed on the table

Excel The resulting value is displayed.

Web The calculated member is not displayed.

Formula Basics for Excel-Based Calculated Members Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas 83

Excel-Based Calculated Members and Supplemental Tables

Based on the design of Supplemental tables, Excel-based calculated members can be
placed only on the dimension displayed on the column. Also, these Excel-based calculated
members can reference members only on the columns or slicers. This design limits the
recommended selection of Excel-based calculated members to fmValue, fmCode and
fmProperty.
Since fmRate, fmXRate, and fmCXRate render to CDA expressions, Supplemental
tables do not render results for these functions due to the fact that CDA formulas are
not supported for Supplemental tables.
84 Examples of Excel-Based Calculated Member Formulas Chapter 5
 85

6
C H A P T E R

Advanced Formula Concepts

Fixed Members ............................................................................................................................................. 85

Explicit Members and Implicit (Fixed) Members ................................................................................ 85
Explicit versus Implicit: Who Wins? .................................................................................................... 90
Formula Scope ............................................................................................................................................. 92
Formula Scope and Member Selection Rules .............................................................................................. 99
Defining Multiple Formulas on One Member ........................................................................................... 103
Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 103
Scenario 1. Uses of the SUBSTR Function........................................................................................ 103
Scenario 2. Member-Based Uses of the IF and NESTIF Functions .................................................. 103
Scenario 3. Value-Based Uses of the IF and NESTIF Functions...................................................... 103
Ranking Multiple Formulas ...................................................................................................................... 105
Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 105
Formula 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 105
Formula 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 105

Fixed Members

Explicit Members and Implicit (Fixed) Members

All SAS Financial Management formulas can contain two types of members: explicit
members and implicit members.
 Explicit members are members that are clearly defined within the formula
expression.
 Implicit members are members that are implied, but not directly expressed, in the
formula expression.
Fixed members are considered to be implicit members that can be used as an optional
means of limiting where a formula expression reads from. You can explicitly state which
members a formula should read from in the formula expression. However, fixed
members offer an easy alternative to assigning members that apply to each formula
input in the formula expression.
86 Fixed Members Chapter 6

You can select only one member per dimension as a fixed member.
1 Use the Assign fixed check box in the Formula wizard to select fixed members on
an expression-by-expression basis.

2 Click the green plus icon to select a fixed member.

3 Select the desired dimension type, dimension, and hierarchy.
Members are displayed in the context of the current view of the selected
dimension and hierarchy.
4 Select the default member of a given hierarchy or a different member.
Either option allows for only one default member per dimension type.
 Advanced Formula Concepts Fixed Members 87

5 Highlight the desired member and click Apply.

88 Fixed Members Chapter 6

6 Click Close to return to the Formula tab.

7 View the formula expression and selected Fixed members.

The results of the fixed member selection for a given dimension are displayed. You
can continue to select additional fixed members for different dimensions, modify
current selections, and/or remove current selections.
For existing calculated members, fixed member selection is available through
Member Properties  Formulas  Expression.
 Advanced Formula Concepts Fixed Members 89

To illustrate how fixed members work, consider the following modeling formula
example:
Formula
Sales = ["ACCOUNT"="Price"]*["ACCOUNT" ="Units Sold"]*-1
Fixed Members
Product dimension: Simulation
Adding Product member Simulation as a fixed member has the same effect as if the
formula expression were written as follows:
Sales = ["ACCOUNT"="Price"]["PRODUCT"="Simulation"]*["ACCOUNT" ="Units Sold"]
["PRODUCT"="Simulation"]*-1
Facts
The following data entry table displays the facts that were entered for Price and Units
Sold for the leaf members under Product member Video Games.

Results
In the following table, results for Sales for all leaf members under Product member
Video Games are (3,000.00). This is computed by multiplying the Price for Simulation by
the Units Sold of Simulation: (20 x 150)* -1 = (3,000.00).

Since the Sales account is a modeling formula, the Sales account result for product
Video Games is (15,000.00). This is the sum of all the subordinate leaf members. Note
that the formula runs at Video Games.vc as well. This is the intended behavior and
should be considered when using fixed members.
90 Fixed Members Chapter 6

Explicit versus Implicit: Who Wins?

The previous section provides an example of a formula expression with an implicit
reference to Product member Simulation. Alternatively, you can write the formula
expression with explicit references, rendering the same results. The modified formula
with explicit references is as follows:
Sales = ["PRODUCT"="Simulation"]["ACCOUNT"="Price"]*["PRODUCT"="Simulation"]
["ACCOUNT"="Units Sold"]* -1
In some scenarios, you might use a fixed member that conflicts with explicit
references in a formula expression. In such cases, the explicitly stated member wins,
and the implicitly stated member is ignored. In the following example, the formula
expression explicitly states Product member Arcade, while the Fixed member selection
implicitly states Product member Simulation.
Formula
Sales = ["PRODUCT"="Arcade"]["ACCOUNT"="Price"]*["PRODUCT"="Arcade"]
["ACCOUNT"="Units Sold"]* -1
Fixed Members
Product dimension: Simulation
 Advanced Formula Concepts Fixed Members 91

Facts
The following data-entry table displays the facts that were entered for Price and Units
Sold for the leaf members under Product member Video Games.

Results

In the preceding table, results for Sales for all leaf members under Video Games are
(5,000.00). This is computed by multiplying the Price for Arcade by the Units Sold of
Arcade: (25 * 200.00)* -1 = (5,000.00).
In the following scenario, the formula expression is modified slightly so that the
product member Arcade is explicitly stated only with the Units Sold account. The fixed
member reference and the facts remain unchanged.
Formula
Sales = ["ACCOUNT"="Price"]*["PRODUCT"="Arcade"] ["ACCOUNT"="Units Sold"]* -1
Fixed Members
Product dimension: –Simulation
92 Formula Scope Chapter 6

Results

In the preceding table, results for Sales for all leaf members under Video Games are
(4,000.00). This is computed by multiplying the Price for Simulation by the Units Sold
for Arcade: (20 * 200)* -1 = (4,000.00).

Formula Scope
Formula scope is an optional means of restricting where a formula runs. It can be
applied on an expression-by-expression basis and is available for all server-side
formulas (reporting, driver, and modeling formulas). From a performance standpoint,
 Advanced Formula Concepts Formula Scope 93

formula scope is most effective when it is used with modeling formulas to limit the
number of crossings where a formula runs.
There are two different means of scoping formulas:
 Member scoping
 Property scoping
Member scoping is based on the assignment of member selection rules on selected
members. Property scoping is based on the assignment of operators and available
property values for the selected property type. Member and property scoping can be
used independently of one another or in combination. Applying both member and
property selection rules results in the intersection of all crossings based on the member
and property selection rules applied. The following sections illustrate the use and
related examples of formula scoping.
In defining formula scope, you can select multiple members per dimension. You define
formula scope on an expression-by-expression basis in the Formula wizard, as shown
here:
94 Formula Scope Chapter 6

1 Select the Limit the calculation range check box.

 Advanced Formula Concepts Formula Scope 95

2 Click the green plus icons to select members or properties for scoping.
For member scoping, select the desired dimension type, dimension, and hierarchy.
Members are displayed in the context of the current view of the selected
dimension and hierarchy. You can select from the available hierarchies and choose
multiple members in each dimension. Highlight the desired member(s) and choose
the Member Selection Rule associated with the member as well as whether to
apply to the virtual children.
96 Formula Scope Chapter 6

3 Click Apply and Close when member scoping is complete.

The results of specifying member scope for the formula are displayed on the
Scope tab. You can specify additional members or select properties to scope by.

4 To select properties, click the green plus icon.

5 Select the desired dimension type, property, and operator.
Property values are displayed in the context of the current view of the selected.
 Advanced Formula Concepts Formula Scope 97

You can select multiple property types and values in each dimension.

6 Click Add and Close to see the summary of member and property scoping on the
Scope tab.
98 Formula Scope Chapter 6

7 Click Finish when the formula scoping is complete.

A summary window shows the expression text, fixed members, member, and
property scope.
 Advanced Formula Concepts Formula Scope and Member Selection Rules 99

In the following data entry table, you can see the crossings for the Sales accounts
that are calculated based on their gray color.

Note: Since the calculated member is scope for Manager Property Type values
McKnight and Montgomery, the formula execution also applies to the virtual children as
well. The values at Direct and Government are due to the aggregation of the driver
formula results since driver and modeling formulas run only at leaf-level crossings.
Customer members associated with property type values other than McKnight and
Montgomery are rendered as yellow, writeable cells at leaf levels for the Sales account.

Formula Scope and Member Selection Rules

As shown in previous examples, the Formula Editor window provides member
selection in the context of a hierarchy, displaying the current as-of date view for the
selected hierarchy.
100 Formula Scope and Member Selection Rules Chapter 6

When you select a member for formula scope, a member selection rule is assigned.
Member selection rules are based on the formula type of the calculated member and the
selected dimension type.
For driver and modeling formulas, there are three member selection rules:
 Member available only for the Analysis dimension
 Leaf descendants of Member if any, otherwise Member
 Exclude

For reporting formulas, there are ten member selection rules:

 Member
 Member and its children
 Member and its descendants
 Member and its leaf descendants
 Members and its non-leaf descendants
 Children of member if any, otherwise Member
 Descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
 Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
 Non-leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
 Exclude
In addition to these member selection rules, the Apply to virtual children check
box applies the rule selected to the virtual child.
The following scenario illustrates how member selection rules are rendered.
Reporting formula – Gross Profit Percentage
Formula Scope
["ANALYSIS"="Budget"]
["INTORG"= "Worldwide Operations"]
 Advanced Formula Concepts Formula Scope and Member Selection Rules 101

The Scope tab appears as follows:

Because the Analysis dimension has only flat hierarchies, the only selection rule
available for an Analysis member is Member. Because the Worldwide Operations
IntOrg member is a roll-up member and the formula is a reporting formula, you can
select one of ten member selection rules. For this example, Worldwide Operations is
assigned Non-leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member. You can
choose to apply the virtual child to this rule.
102 Formula Scope and Member Selection Rules Chapter 6

The table below displays only the rows that have data in them. Note that the Gross
Profit Percentage account member does not return results for Worldwide Operations,
Central, Eastern, Western, European Sales, Canada Sales and Mexico Sales. The
formula only ran for U.S. Operations, Sales, European Operations, Canada Operations,
and Mexico Operations since there was data available and these members all qualified
as Non-leaf descendants of Worldwide Operations.

Cell Information for U.S. Operations Gross Profit Percentage is as follows:

 Advanced Formula Concepts Defining Multiple Formulas on One Member 103

Defining Multiple Formulas on One Member

Introduction
You can define an unlimited number of formulas on a single calculated member. To
improve formula performance, maintenance, and manageability, define multiple
formulas on one member as an alternative in the following scenarios:

Scenario 1. Uses of the SUBSTR Function

Example: Bonus Expense = NESTIF
(SUBSTR(CURRENT("INTORG"),2,1)= "2", ["ACCOUNT"="Salaries"]*.25,
(SUBSTR(CURRENT("INTORG"),2,1)= "1", ["ACCOUNT"="Salaries "]*.20,
(SUBSTR(CURRENT("INTORG"),2,1)= "5", ["ACCOUNT"="Salaries "]*.20,
1=1, ["ACCOUNT"="Salaries"]*.15)
Defining multiple formulas on one member is not applicable to value-based uses of the
IF and NESTIF functions. The following topic describes this in more detail.

Scenario 2. Member-Based Uses of the IF and NESTIF Functions

Example: Discounts = NESTIF
(["PRODUCT"="Game Controller"],["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.20, ["PRODUCT"="Joy
Stick"],["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.25, ["PRODUCT"="Flight
Stick"],["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.30)

Scenario 3. Value-Based Uses of the IF and NESTIF Functions

Example: Sales Bonus =
IF(["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]["ANALYSIS"="ACTUAL"]>
["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]["ANALYSIS"="BUDGET"],["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-.05,0)
In this example, the formula for the Sales Bonus account tests the numeric values of
Actual Sales and Budget Sales.
To define multiple formulas on the same member, use the Formula wizard on the
Formulas tab of the Member Properties window. To illustrate the creation of multiple
formulas on the same member, consider the following formula on the Discount account:
Discounts = NESTIF
(["PRODUCT"=" Game Controller "],["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.20, ["PRODUCT"="Joy
Stick"],["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.25, ["PRODUCT"="Flight
Stick"],["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.30)
Because this formula contains a member-based use of the NESTIF function, it can be
rewritten as three separate formula expressions:
Formula 1
Name: Game Controller
Expression: ["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.20
Scope: ["PRODUCT"="Game Controller"]
104 Defining Multiple Formulas on One Member Chapter 6

Formula 2
Name: Joy Stick
Expression: ["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.25
Scope: ["PRODUCT"="Joy Stick"]
Formula 3
Name: Flight Stick
Expression: ["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.30
Scope: ["PRODUCT"="Flight Stick"]
Follow the steps used to create a new calculated member or to add a formula to an
existing member when you define multiple formulas on the same member. For more
information about creating formula expressions, see Chapter 4, “Formula Basics for
Server-Side Calculated Members.” The formula expression name is visible in SAS
Financial Management Studio and through Cell Information in Excel.
In addition, each formula has its own Fixed member and scope selections. The results
of creating a calculated member with multiple formulas are displayed on the Formulas
tab:
 Advanced Formula Concepts Ranking Multiple Formulas 105

Ranking Multiple Formulas

Introduction
Each formula is assigned a rank when you create it. The initial rank order for a
calculated member is based on the order in which the formulas were created. The rank
of a formula determines which formula is executed in the event of formula scope overlap.
To illustrate the ranking of formulas, consider the Discounts example in “Defining
Multiple Formulas on One Member,” modified slightly as follows:

Formula 1
Name: All Others
Expression: ["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.25
Scope: Not limited

Formula 2
Name: Game Controller
Expression: ["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]*-0.20
Scope: ["PRODUCT"="Game Controller"]
On the Formulas tab for the modified Discounts calculated member, note that the
formula All Others is ranked first.
106 Ranking Multiple Formulas Chapter 6

Results
The following table displays the results when the All Others formula is ranked first,
rendering the computed Discounts values of 25% for all Product members:

When the formulas are rearranged so that the Game Controller formula is ranked
first, the warning message is not displayed.
 Advanced Formula Concepts Ranking Multiple Formulas 107

Results
The following table displays the results when the formula for the Game Controller
Product member is ranked first. This results in Discounts of 20% for Game Controller
and 25% for all other Product members.
108 Ranking Multiple Formulas Chapter 6
 109

7
C H A P T E R

Calculated Members Restrictions

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 110

Ignoring Formulas on Rollup Members .................................................................................................... 110
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 110
Affected Formula Types ..................................................................................................................... 110
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 110
Driver Formula .................................................................................................................................. 110
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 111
Warning Message for SAS Financial Management Studio............................................................... 111
Time Offsets: Formulas That Run Out of Bounds .................................................................................... 111
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 111
Affected Formula Types ..................................................................................................................... 111
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 112
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 112
Warning Message ............................................................................................................................... 112
Balance Account Calculated Members Scoped to Time ............................................................................ 113
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 113
Affected Formula Types ..................................................................................................................... 113
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 114
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 115
Warning Messages.............................................................................................................................. 115
SAS Financial Management Studio Message ............................................................................ 115
Excel Message ............................................................................................................................. 115
Referencing a Dimension and/or Member Not in the Model .................................................................... 115
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 115
Affected Formula Types ..................................................................................................................... 115
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 116
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 117
Warning Messages.............................................................................................................................. 117
SAS Financial Management Studio .......................................................................................... 117
Excel ............................................................................................................................................ 117
Referencing Only Constants ...................................................................................................................... 118
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 118
Affected Formula Types ..................................................................................................................... 118
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 118
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 119
Warning Messages.............................................................................................................................. 119
SAS Financial Management Studio .......................................................................................... 119
Excel ............................................................................................................................................ 119
Circular References .................................................................................................................................... 120
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 120
Affected Formula Types ..................................................................................................................... 120
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 120
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 121
Warning Message for Excel ................................................................................................................ 121
Dividing by Zero ........................................................................................................................................ 122
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 122
Affected Formula Types ..................................................................................................................... 122
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 122
Results ................................................................................................................................................ 123
Warning Message for Excel ................................................................................................................ 123
Recommendation ................................................................................................................................ 124
110 Ignoring Formulas on Rollup Members Chapter 7

Introduction
This chapter identifies formula expressions that are ignored, invalid, or not rendered
in SAS Financial Management. These three formula expression restrictions can be
defined as follows:
 Ignored: Calculated members in this category are not executed due to the priority
of other computations such as aggregation/rollup logic. Warning messaging is
provided on the Formulas page for Model Properties. Since the formula
expression is ignored, there is no cell information.
 Invalid: Calculated members in this category are not executed at query time
because they are incorrect in the context of the model. In most cases, these
expressions pass validation in the Formula Editor. However, the expressions
have warning messages on the Formulas page for Model Properties. An invalid
driver formula is displayed as a gray, non-writeable cell with a value of 0.
Modeling and Reporting formulas render as red cells. Warning messaging is
provided through Cell Information for Modeling and Driver formulas.
 Not Rendered: This type of formula restriction applies to the use of constants in
Driver and Modeling formulas. Warning messaging is provided on the Formulas
page for Model Properties. For both formula types, the result is a gray, non-
writeable cell with a value of 0. No warning messaging is provided through Cell
Information.

Ignoring Formulas on Rollup Members

Description
Any formula type with an expression on a roll-up member in the dimension it was
created in is always ignored. The result is the sum of the leaf values.

Affected Formula Types

 Driver
 Modeling
 Reporting

Example
Consider the following Account hierarchy, where account R40000 (Staff Expenses) is a
driver formula.
Staff Expenses
Salaries
Benefits
Travel
Other Selling Expenses
Gross Profit

Driver Formula
Staff Expenses = ["ACCOUNT" = "Gross Profit"]* -0.2
 Calculated Members Restrictions Time Offsets: Formulas That Run Out of Bounds 111

Results
The following table displays the results. Because account (Staff Expenses is a roll-up
member, the formula is ignored and the leaf values are summed.

For Jan 2012, the result is computed as 30,000.00 + 3,000.00 + 1,500.00 + 1,000.00 for
a result of 35,500.00, instead of the formula for Staff Expenses executing as (100,000.00)
* -0.2 to yield 20,000.00.

Warning Message for SAS Financial Management Studio

The following warning message is displayed in SAS Financial Management Studio on
the Details pane for Show members, on the Formulas page for Model Properties:
Formula is assigned to a non-leaf member.

Time Offsets: Formulas That Run Out of Bounds

Description
A formula referencing a time offset such as ["TIME"=CURRENT("TIME")-x] results in
crossings where the formula runs that are “out of bounds.” This happens because the
formula is seeking inputs from crossings that do not exist. Crossings where formulas
run out of bounds are deemed not applicable to the formula and return a value of 0.

Affected Formula Types

 Driver
 Modeling
 Reporting
 Excel-based calculated member
112 Time Offsets: Formulas That Run Out of Bounds Chapter 7

Example
In the following example, Units Sold - Prior Year is a Driver formula defined as
follows:

Results
The following table displays the results for Account members Units Sold and Units
Sold - Prior Year. In this cycle, Jan 2012 is the first-time member in the Time hierarchy.
Based on the formula expression, results for time members from Jan 2012 through Dec
2012 return a 0. This is because their formula inputs (for example, Jan 2011 and Feb
2011) do not exist and are “out of bounds.”

Warning Message
No warning is provided.
 Calculated Members Restrictions Balance Account Calculated Members Scoped to Time 113

Balance Account Calculated Members Scoped to Time

Description
A calculated member on a balance account type scoped on the Time dimension is
considered invalid. If the calculated member is assigned as a Driver, the result is 0 for
the time periods to which it is scoped and in any future time periods. If the calculated
member is assigned as a Modeling formula, the result is a red cell (NaN) for the time
periods to which it is scoped and any future time periods.

Affected Formula Types

 Driver
 Modeling
114 Balance Account Calculated Members Scoped to Time Chapter 7

Example
In the following example, Account member Beginning Balance - Equipment is a
Modeling formula that takes the Actual value from account member A26000 (Ending
Balance, Equipment) for the prior year’s ending period as a starting point for budgeting
purposes:
 Calculated Members Restrictions Referencing a Dimension and/or Member Not in the Model 115

Results
The following table displays the results of scoping a Modeling formula on Time for a
Balance account type. As displayed on the Formulas tab, the Opening Balance -
Equipment Account member is scoped to all leaf descendants of the Time member 2013.
As a result, any Time periods in the formula scope as well as future time members
return red cells (NaNs).

Warning Messages
SAS Financial Management Studio Message
The following warning message is displayed in SAS Financial Management Studio on
the Details pane for Show members on the Formulas page for Model Properties:
A modeling or driver formula on a balance account cannot be scoped for
the time dimension type.

Excel Message
For a Modeling formula, the following cell information is provided:
Query failed due to a formula error.

Referencing a Dimension and/or Member Not in the Model

Description
A calculated member that references a dimension and member that is not in the
model is invalid. A calculated member that references a member that is not in the
hierarchy is also invalid. If assigned as a Driver, the result is 0. If the calculated
member is assigned as a Modeling or Reporting formula, the result is a red cell (NaN).

Affected Formula Types

 Driver
 Modeling
 Reporting
116 Referencing a Dimension and/or Member Not in the Model Chapter 7

Example
In the following example, Account member Training is a Modeling formula that
references a Product member that is no longer in the hierarchy.
 Calculated Members Restrictions Referencing a Dimension and/or Member Not in the Model 117

Results
The following table displays the results of a Modeling formula referencing a member
that is not in the hierarchy.

Warning Messages
SAS Financial Management Studio
The following warning message is displayed in SAS Financial Management Studio on
the Details pane for Show members on the Formulas page for Model Properties:
Formula references a member (Online) that is not in the model.

Excel
For a Modeling or Reporting formula, the following cell information is provided:
Query failed due to a formula error.
118 Referencing Only Constants Chapter 7

Referencing Only Constants

Description
Calculated members referencing only constants in the formula expression are invalid.
Examples of formula expressions not supported are displayed below:
X=1
Y =DRATE("")
Z= DRATE("") +/- 1
If assigned as either a Driver or Modeling formula, the displayed result is a gray, non-
writeable cell with a value of 0.

Affected Formula Types

 Driver
 Modeling

Example
In the following example, Account member Price per Gallon is a Modeling formula
that references a constant.
 Calculated Members Restrictions Referencing Only Constants 119

Results
The following table displays the results of a Modeling formula referencing a constant.

Warning Messages
SAS Financial Management Studio
The following warning message is displayed in SAS Financial Management Studio on
the Details pane for Show members on the Formulas page for Model Properties:
Constant expressions are not supported for modeling or driver formulas.

Excel
For a Modeling or Driver formula, the following cell information is provided:
120 Circular References Chapter 7

Circular References

Description
Calculated members with formula expressions containing circular references are
invalid.

Affected Formula Types

 Driver
 Modeling
 Reporting

Example
In the following example, Estimated Bonus Expense is calculated based on Net
Income. In the existing hierarchy, the Bonus account expression is a circular reference
since Estimated Bonus Expense is a descendant of Net Income.
 Calculated Members Restrictions Circular References 121

Results
The following table displays the results of the circular reference in the Estimated
Bonus Expense account member. The circular reference affects all account members
that it rolls up to.

Warning Message for Excel

For a Modeling or Reporting formula, the following cell information is provided:
122 Dividing by Zero Chapter 7

Dividing by Zero

Description
A calculated member where the divisor returns a value of 0 is invalid.

Affected Formula Types

 Driver
 Modeling
 Reporting

Example
In the following example, Gross Margin Percentage is calculated by dividing Gross
Profit by Total Sales.
 Calculated Members Restrictions Dividing by Zero 123

Results
In the following table, Sales results have not been entered yet. Therefore, the formula
currently is being divided by 0 pending Sales account data input.

Warning Message for Excel

For a Modeling or Reporting formula, the following cell information is provided:
124 Dividing by Zero Chapter 7

Recommendation
To prevent this type of invalid calculated member, the formula expression can be re-
written in the following manner:

By including an argument in the event that the divisor is 0, the formula expression is
no longer considered invalid.
The resulting table is as follows:
 125

8
C H A P T E R

Statistical Account Behavior

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 125

Statistical Accounts for Data Entry .......................................................................................................... 126
Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 126
Facts ................................................................................................................................................... 126
Hierarchical Roll-Ups ........................................................................................................................ 126
Time Aggregation ............................................................................................................................... 127
Frequency Computation ..................................................................................................................... 128
Data Entry .......................................................................................................................................... 129
Calculated Statistical Accounts ................................................................................................................ 129
Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 129
Formula .............................................................................................................................................. 129
Facts ................................................................................................................................................... 130
Hierarchical Roll-Ups ........................................................................................................................ 130
Frequency Computation ..................................................................................................................... 131
Restrictions ......................................................................................................................................... 131

Introduction
SAS Financial Management has three statistical account types:
 Statistical Flow. This account type resembles the Expense and Revenue account
types. It can participate in currency conversion, and it can be a source account to
Retained Earnings.
 Statistical Balance. The Statistical Balance account type resembles the Asset and
Liability account types. However, it cannot be a source account to a Cumulative
Translation Adjustment account.
 Statistical. A Statistical account type cannot roll up to a parent member or have
any children. The purpose of the Statistical account type is to represent values
such as prices and ratios. Statistical account behavior differs based on whether it
is a non-calculated member or a calculated member with a reporting formula.
This chapter addresses the behavior of the Statistical account type. Statistical
accounts can be used for data input, and they can be assigned as calculated members.
The following sections discuss Statistical account behavior for these two uses separately
and describe how this account types differs from Statistical Flow and Statistical Balance
account types.
126 Statistical Accounts for Data Entry Chapter 8

Statistical Accounts for Data Entry

Introduction
Statistical accounts data entry are unlike accounts of other types in that they do not
participate in hierarchical roll-ups, time aggregation, or frequency aggregation. Given
the intent of the Statistical account type, the values generated from hierarchical roll-
ups, time aggregation, or frequency aggregation are nonsensical. To illustrate, consider
the following example:

Facts
The facts for the Price account are shown here:

Hierarchical Roll-Ups
If the table is expanded to include roll-up members in dimensions such as Product and
Organization, then the results at the roll-up members for the Price account result in red
cells (NaN: Not a Number).
 Statistical Account Behavior Statistical Accounts for Data Entry 127

The Account “Price” returns a value when it is crossed with leaf members in all other
dimensions, as shown in the above example. Product members “Game Controller”, “Joy
Stick”, and “Flight Stick” are leaf members. Organization members “Central”, “Eastern”,
and “Western” are leaf members. Selected Slicer members also are leaf members.
The Account “Price” returns red cells (NaN) when crossed with a roll-up member in
any dimension. Product member “Hardware” and Organization member “Sales” are both
roll-up members. Therefore, they always return a red cell when crossed with the
Account “Price”.
The cell information for a crossing at a roll-up point is displayed as follows:

Time Aggregation
Time aggregation results are similar to hierarchical roll-up results in that the
Statistical account value results in a red cell. The cell information that is displayed at a
time roll-up is the same as what is shown in “Hierarchical Roll-Ups.”
128 Statistical Accounts for Data Entry Chapter 8

Frequency Computation
Statistical account values do not participate in frequency computation. Regardless of
the frequency selected for a given Statistical account, the resulting value is the same.
The following table displays the results of the Price account with the valid frequencies:
 Statistical Account Behavior Calculated Statistical Accounts 129

Data Entry
Because non-calculated Statistical accounts do not participate in hierarchical roll-ups,
all values must be entered at the leaf level for each dimension in the model, including
Source and Trader. The following data-entry table illustrates this requirement:

In the table above, the yellow cells represent crossings in which all dimension
members are at a leaf level. The red cells represent crossings where statistical roll-ups
are not valid.
Note: If a dimension has a default read member that is a roll-up and a default write
member that is a leaf member, the dimension must still be included on the table.

Calculated Statistical Accounts

Introduction
Statistical accounts that are reporting formula-calculated members behave differently
from non-calculated Statistical accounts. To illustrate the differences, here is an
example of a calculated Statistical account:

Formula
Gross Profit Percentage = ["ACCOUNT"="Gross Profit"]/["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]
Gross Profit Percentage is a Statistical account. Gross Profit and Sales are Revenue
accounts.
130 Calculated Statistical Accounts Chapter 8

Facts
The facts for the Sales and Cost of Sales accounts are shown here:

Hierarchical Roll-Ups
If the table is expanded to include the roll-up members in dimensions such as
Product, Customer, and Organization, then the results at roll-up members for the Gross
Profit Percentage account are displayed. Statistical accounts that are calculated
members do display values at roll-up points, as shown here:
 Statistical Account Behavior Calculated Statistical Accounts 131

Frequency Computation
Statistical accounts that are calculated members also participate in frequency
computation. To illustrate, consider the following table:

Restrictions
Non-calculated Statistical accounts do not participate in hierarchical roll-ups or Time
aggregation and return red cells (Not a Number). This means that the calculated
Statistical account member returns a red cell at a roll-up when it refers to a non-
calculated Statistical account member in its formula expression. However, a calculated
Statistical account member returns a value at a roll-up when it refers to another
calculated Statistical account member. If you need to use a Statistical account in the
formula expression, consider using a Statistical Balance account.
132 Calculated Statistical Accounts Chapter 8
 133

9
C H A P T E R

Commonly Used Functions

ANCESTOR Function ............................................................................................................................... 134

Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 134
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 134
First Argument ........................................................................................................................... 134
Second Argument........................................................................................................................ 134
(Optional) Third Argument ........................................................................................................ 135
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 135
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 135
CLOSINGPERIOD Function .................................................................................................................... 136
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 136
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 136
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 136
CURRENT Function ................................................................................................................................. 136
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 136
Syntax with One Argument................................................................................................................ 137
Example with One Argument............................................................................................................. 137
Syntax with Two Arguments.............................................................................................................. 138
CURRENT(<dimension type code>,PROPERTY(<dimension type code>,<property code>)) ........... 138
Example with Two Arguments........................................................................................................... 138
DRATE Function ....................................................................................................................................... 139
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 139
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 139
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 139
IF Function ................................................................................................................................................ 140
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 140
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 140
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 140
NESTIF Function ...................................................................................................................................... 141
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 141
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 141
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 141
OPENINGPERIOD Function .................................................................................................................... 142
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 142
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 142
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 142
PARENT Function..................................................................................................................................... 143
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 143
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 143
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 143
PREVIOUS Function ................................................................................................................................ 144
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 144
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 144
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 144
PROPERTY Function ................................................................................................................................ 147
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 147
AccountType ................................................................................................................................ 147
BalanceType................................................................................................................................ 147
AccountBehavior ......................................................................................................................... 147
ExchangeRateType...................................................................................................................... 148
FunctionalCurrency .................................................................................................................... 148
Intercompany .............................................................................................................................. 148
134 ANCESTOR Function Chapter 9

Level ............................................................................................................................................ 148

ReportingEntity .......................................................................................................................... 148
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 148
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 149
ROUND Function ...................................................................................................................................... 150
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 150
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 151
Example with Only the First Argument ............................................................................................ 151
Example with Both Arguments .......................................................................................................... 152
SUM Function ........................................................................................................................................... 152
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 152
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 152
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 152
VIRTUALCHILD Function ....................................................................................................................... 154
Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 154
Syntax ................................................................................................................................................. 155
Example .............................................................................................................................................. 155
Adding Comments within a Formula Expression..................................................................................... 155
Using String Functions in a Bracketed Member Reference ...................................................................... 155
Using Dates and Numbers in Formula Syntax......................................................................................... 156
Codes Containing Single and Double Quotation Marks........................................................................... 156

ANCESTOR Function

Use
Introduction
Use the ANCESTOR function to navigate a hierarchy, primarily the TIME hierarchy.
This function enables a formula to use a member that is a certain number of levels
above the current member or to use a specified period type such as Year.
The ANCESTOR function takes two arguments and supports an optional third
argument.

First Argument
The first argument can be either a dimension type code or a function that returns a
member code:
 If the first argument is a dimension type code, then this code implicitly specifies
the member of that dimension type that is in the crossing where the function is
evaluated.
 If the first argument is a function that returns a member code, then the returned
code explicitly specifies a member.

Second Argument
The second argument is an ancestor designator. The ancestor designator can take two
forms: Number of Levels or Level Name:
 Number of Levels: An integer indicates a number of hierarchical levels above the
member that is specified by the first argument. You can use an integer as the
second argument no matter what the first argument is.
 Commonly Used Functions ANCESTOR Function 135

 Level Name: If the first argument is the Time dimension type code or a function
that returns a Time period code, then you can use one of the following period type
values to indicate a particular level of the Time hierarchy:
AllYears
Year
HalfYear
QuarterYear
Month
Week
Day

(Optional) Third Argument

The optional third argument specifies how many time periods in the past or future.
This argument is typically used to get a prior year value, as shown in the example later
in this section.

Syntax
ANCESTOR("dimension type code", number_of_levels)
Returns the member code of the ancestor a given number of levels above the current
member for a dimension.
ANCESTOR("dimension type code","level name")
Returns the member code of the ancestor at a named level (like “Year”) above the
current member for a dimension.

Example
Beginning Balance - Equipment =
["ACCOUNT"="Ending Balance - Equipment"]["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year",-1)]
In this formula, the ANCESTOR function is used on the Beginning Balance -
Equipment account to return the prior year value of the Ending Balance - Equipment
account.
136 CURRENT Function Chapter 9

CLOSINGPERIOD Function

Use
This function returns the code of the member that satisfies these two conditions:
 It belongs to the dimension type that is specified in the function.
 It is the last-listed leaf member that is hierarchically subordinate to the member
of the specified dimension type that is in the crossing where the function is
evaluated.
If the member of the specified dimension type that is in the crossing where the
function is evaluated is a leaf member, then the CLOSINGPERIOD function returns the
code of that member. In other words, the CLOSINGPERIOD function returns the same
value as the CURRENT function in this case.
The CLOSINGPERIOD function takes one argument, a dimension type code. It is
primarily used with the Time dimension type.

Syntax
CLOSINGPERIOD(<dimensionTypeCode>)

Example
In this formula, the CLOSINGPERIOD function works with the ANCESTOR to
return the prior year’s value for Dec 2012, which is the last leaf period of the prior year.
Sales =
["ACCOUNT"="Sales"]["TIME"=CLOSINGPERIOD(ANCESTOR("TIME","Year",-1))]

CURRENT Function

Use
The CURRENT function returns the code of the member that satisfies these two
conditions:
 It belongs to the dimension type that is specified in the function.
 It is in the crossing where the function is evaluated.

The CURRENT function takes one argument, a dimension type code. It is most often
used as part of a relative reference in a Time hierarchy. The CURRENT function also
supports an optional second argument which is an offset for a property code type of
integer.
 Commonly Used Functions CURRENT Function 137

Syntax with One Argument

CURRENT(<dimensionTypeCode>)

Example with One Argument

Units Sold =
(["TIME"=CURRENT("TIME")-12]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]["ACCOUNT"="Units
Sold"])*1.1
The scoping is as follows.
138 CURRENT Function Chapter 9

In this example, the CURRENT function is used on the Units Sold account. It
subtracts a period of 12 months to retrieve the prior year’s Actual Units Sold. Then, the
value is multiplied by 1.1 to derive the budgeted values for 2013.

Syntax with Two Arguments

CURRENT(<dimension type code>,PROPERTY(<dimension type code>,<property
code>))

Example with Two Arguments

Units Sold =
(["TIME"=CURRENT("TIME",
PROPERTY("TIME","TimeOffset"))]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]["ACCOUNT"="Units
Sold"])*1.1
The scoping is the same as the previous example.
 Commonly Used Functions DRATE Function 139

In this example, the CURRENT function is used on the Units Sold account. It
subtracts a dynamic offset using the custom property “TimeOffset” to retrieve the Actual
Units Sold from a previous Time period. Then, the value is multiplied by 1.1 to derive
the budgeted values for 2013. Jan 2013 retrieves the value from 12 periods in the past,
Feb 2013 retrieves the value from 11 periods in the past, and Mar 2013 retrieves the
value from 12 periods in the past. The value of the TimeOffset custom property is
displayed on the columns in the following table. The Custom Property Type must be
Integer to be used with the CURRENT function.

DRATE Function

Use
Use the DRATE function to retrieve the numeric values from the Driver Rate Sets
tab in the Rates workspace.
A driver rate set consists of tables that are specific to driver rate types. Each table
contains a “Rate” column of numeric values and several columns that represent
dimension types. Each table row associates the numeric value that it contains with a
specific dimension member or set of members.
The driver rate set that the DRATE function references is determined by these two
things:
 the Analysis member for which the function is evaluated
 the driver rate set that is associated with that Analysis member in the model
properties

Syntax
DRATE("driver rate type code")

Example
Income Tax =
IF(["ACCOUNT"="Income Before Taxes"]<0,["ACCOUNT"="Income Before Taxes"]*
DRATE("TaxRate2013")*-1,0)
In this formula, the DRATE function works on the Income Tax account member. The
desired outcome is to multiply Income before Taxes by a predefined rate that varies by
Organization to return an estimated Income Tax value. If Income Before Taxes is less
than zero, then the Income Tax account member will be zero.
140 IF Function Chapter 9

The DRATE for TaxRate2013 is displayed as the last row on this report by using an
Excel calculated member with the following syntax:
=fmRate("TaxRate2013")

IF Function

Use
The IF function returns one value if the condition specified evaluates to TRUE and
another value if it evaluates to FALSE. Use IF to conduct conditional tests.

Syntax
IF(<condition>,<trueExpression>,<falseExpression>)

Example
Profit Margin % =
IF(["ACCOUNT"="Net Sales"]=0,0,["ACCOUNT"="Net Income"]/["ACCOUNT"="Net
Sales"])
In this formula, the IF statement displays a zero when the denominator is zero.
Otherwise, the Profit Margin percentage is calculated by dividing Net Income by Net
Sales.
 Commonly Used Functions NESTIF Function 141

NESTIF Function

Use
The NESTIF function returns a value that depends on the truth values of one or more
Boolean expressions. The NESTIF function takes an even number of arguments, which
are arranged in pairs. The second member of each pair is an expression whose value
might be returned. These are the even-numbered arguments of the function. The first
member of each pair is a Boolean expression that is associated with the second member
of the pair. These are the odd-numbered arguments of the function.
A Boolean expression can compare two character values or two numeric values.
Within Boolean expressions, you can use any Boolean operators and comparison
operators that are available on the Formula Editor window’s symbol toolbar.
The function returns the first even-numbered argument that is associated with a true
Boolean argument.

Syntax
NESTIF(<condition1>,<trueExpression1>,< condition2>,<trueExpression2>, ...)

Example
Bonus Expenses =
NESTIF(
["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year")]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”]<=1.1*["TIME"=ANCEST
OR("TIME","Year",-1)]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”],
1.1*["ACCOUNT"=“Bonus Expenses”]["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year",
-1)]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]/12,
(["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year")]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”]>1.1*["TIME"=ANCESTO
R("TIME","Year",
-1)]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”]) AND (
["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year")]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”] <=
["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year",
-1)]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”]),
["ACCOUNT"=“Bonus Expenses”]["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year",
-1)]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]/12,
["TIME"=ANCESTOR("TIME","Year")]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”]>["TIME"=ANCESTOR("T
IME","Year",
-1)]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]["ACCOUNT"=“Sales”],
0
)
This NESTIF statement works with the ANCESTOR function. The desired outcome is
to calculate Sales based upon the % change from last year’s Actuals. If Sales >=110% of
last year, Bonus Expenses are 110% of last year. If Sales are at least equal to but less
than 110% of last year, Bonus Expenses are the same as last year. If Sales are less than
last year, then Bonus Expenses are zero. Note that Sales carries a credit balance so the
142 OPENINGPERIOD Function Chapter 9

greater than and less than signs work in conjunction with that. This is a modeling
formula scoped to Budget and Forecast Analysis members and also scoped to leaf
descendants of the year 2013.

OPENINGPERIOD Function

Use
The OPENINGPERIOD function returns the code of the member that satisfies these
two conditions:
 It belongs to the dimension type that is specified in the function.
 It is the first-listed leaf member that is hierarchically subordinate to the member
of the specified dimension type that is in the crossing where the function is
evaluated. It is primarily used with the Time dimension type.

Syntax
OPENINGPERIOD(<dimensionTypeCode>)

Example
Avg Receivables Balance =
SUM(["ACCOUNT"="Accounts & Notes Receivable"]
["TIME"=OPENINGPERIOD(ANCESTOR("TIME","Year"))]:
["ACCOUNT"="Accounts & Notes Receivable"] ["TIME"=CURRENT("TIME")])
/(PROPERTY("TIME","Month_number"))
In this example, the OPENINGPERIOD function works with the SUM function and
the PROPERTY function to calculate the year-to-date average balance of the Accounts
and Notes Receivable account.
 Commonly Used Functions PARENT Function 143

The PROPERTY function retrieves the values of a custom property (Month_number)

of the Time dimension. The Month_number custom property values are displayed in the
report as the second column heading, beneath the TIME members.

PARENT Function

Use
This function returns the code of the member that satisfies both of these conditions:
 It belongs to the dimension type that is specified in the function.
 It is the hierarchical parent of the member of the specified dimension type that is
in the crossing where the function is evaluated.
The PARENT function takes one argument, a dimension type code.

Syntax
PARENT(<dimensionTypeCode>)

Example
Net Sales =
["ACCOUNT"="Units Sold"]* -1 *
["ACCOUNT"="Price"]["PRODUCT"=VIRTUALCHILD(PARENT(CURRENT
("PRODUCT")))]
144 PREVIOUS Function Chapter 9

In this example, the PARENT function works with the VIRTUALCHILD and
CURRENT functions. The desired outcome is to multiply Units Sold for each product by
the Price that is entered at the virtual child of the current parent in the product
hierarchy.

PREVIOUS Function

Use
The PREVIOUS function returns the code of the member that satisfies these two
conditions:
 It belongs to the dimension type that is specified in the function.
 It is at the same hierarchical level, and immediately previous to, the member of
the specified dimension type that is in the crossing where the function is
evaluated.
The PREVIOUS function takes one argument: a dimension type code. It is most often
used as part of a relative reference in a Time hierarchy.

Syntax
PREVIOUS(<dimensionTypeCode>)

Example
The expression ranked first is named “January”, and the syntax is as follows.
Previous Period Salaries =
["ACCOUNT"="Total Salaries"]["TIME"=PREVIOUS("TIME")]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]
 Commonly Used Functions PREVIOUS Function 145

The scoping for “January” is as follows.

The expression ranked second is named “Feb thru Dec”.

Previous Period Salaries =
["ACCOUNT"="Total Salaries"]["TIME"=PREVIOUS("TIME")]
146 PREVIOUS Function Chapter 9

The scoping for “Feb thru Dec” is as follows.

In this example, the PREVIOUS function works with the Previous Period Salaries
account to retrieve the previous period’s value from the Total Salaries account. In Jan
2013, the previous period’s value is retrieved from the Actual Analysis member. In all
subsequent time periods, the previous period’s value is retrieved from the Budget
Analysis member.
 Commonly Used Functions PROPERTY Function 147

PROPERTY Function

Use
The PROPERTY function returns the value of a specified property that belongs to the
dimension member that is specified in the function. The PROPERTY function returns a
string value. In a comparison, it must be compared against a quoted string.
This is the list of standard property codes that can be used by this function and the
values that the function can return for each of them. Note that these property codes are
case sensitive when used by the PROPERTY function. You can use the PROPERTY
function to retrieve the values of custom member properties, as illustrated in the
OPENINGPERIOD example.

AccountType
The account type of an account. This property is valid only if the member is an
account. The following values can be returned:
 Asset
 Liability
 Equity
 Revenue
 Expense
 RetainedEarnings
 CTA
 StatisticalBalance
 StatisticalFlow
 NonFrequency

Note: NonFrequency is another name for the Statistical account type.

BalanceType
The balance type of an account. This property is valid only if the member is an
account. The following values can be returned:
 Credit
 Debit

AccountBehavior
The category to which the account type belongs. This property is valid only if the
member is an account. The following values can be returned:
 Balance
 CTA
 Flow
 Hybrid
 NonFrequency

Note: NonFrequency is another name for the Statistical account type. Hybrid is
another name for the RetainedEarnings account type.
148 PROPERTY Function Chapter 9

ExchangeRateType
The exchange rate type of an account. This property is valid only if the member is an
account. The following values can be returned:
 PeriodAverage
 PeriodClose
 PeriodOpen
 Custom1
 Custom2
 Derived
 Historic
 None

FunctionalCurrency
The functional currency of an organization. This property is valid only if the member
is an organization.

Intercompany
Indicates whether an account is an intercompany account. This property is valid only
if the member is an account. The following values can be returned:
 True
 False

Level
The period type of a time period. This property is valid only if the member is a time
period. The following values can be returned:
 AllYears
 Year
 HalfYear
 QuarterYear
 Month
 Week
 Day

ReportingEntity
Indicates whether an organization is a reporting entity. This property is valid only if
the member is an organization. The following values can be returned:
 True
 False

Syntax
PROPERTY(<dimensionTypeCode>,< propertyCode>)
 Commonly Used Functions PROPERTY Function 149

Example
The first expression is named “Assets and Liabilities”, and the syntax is as follows.
Yield =
["ACCOUNT"=PROPERTY("ACCOUNT","link")]["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]/31*365/
["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]
This formula is scoped to AccountType = Asset and Liability.
The second expression is named Revenue and Expense, and the syntax is as follows.
Yield =
["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]/31*365/["ANALYSIS"="Actual"]["ACCOUNT"=PROPERTY
("ACCOUNT","link")]
150 ROUND Function Chapter 9

This formula is scoped to AccountType = Revenue and Expense.

In this formula, the PROPERTY function is used to look up the Account which will be
used in the calculation of the yield percentage.

ROUND Function

Use
The ROUND function rounds an argument to a given number of digits. The first
argument is required and represents the member or value to be rounded. The second
argument is optional (number of digits). The arguments must have a numeric value. If
the specified number is exactly midway between two integers and the second argument
is not provided, then the larger integer is returned. The number 2.5 is rounded up to 3.0,
and the number (2.5) is rounded to (3.0).
 Commonly Used Functions ROUND Function 151

Syntax
ROUND(<number>, <number_of_digits>)

Example with Only the First Argument

Revenue per Employee =
ROUND(["ACCOUNT"="Net Sales"]/["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"]*-1)

When a modeling or reporting formula encounters division by zero, a red cell is

displayed (NaN). Cell Information states that the query failed due to divide by zero
exception in a formula. (See the Revenue per Employee formula crossing with Eastern
and Western.)
Modifying the formula to check for zeros in the denominator results in a display of
zero instead. For example, the modified formula expression shown below generates
zeros.
IF(["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"] ^= 0 , ROUND(["ACCOUNT"="Net Sales"]/
["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"]*-1),0)
152 SUM Function Chapter 9

Example with Both Arguments

Adding the second argument to the ROUND function defines how many digits to
round.
Revenue per Employee = IF(["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"] ^= 0,
ROUND(["ACCOUNT"="Net Sales"]/
["ACCOUNT"="Ending Headcount"]*-1,2),0)

SUM Function

Use
This function returns the sum of its arguments. The SUM function can take any
number of arguments. All the arguments must have numeric values. For example,
SUM(1, 2, 3, 3, 16) returns 25.
You can use a colon to specify a range of crossings, as in the following example:
SUM(["TIME"="JAN2013"]:["TIME"="JUN2013"])
For range specifications, the first and last crossings must be at the same level in a
hierarchy. The specified range can include only crossings at the same level. Range in
TIME using different period types should not be used. An example is a range starting
with a period type of Month and ending with a period type of Year.
The same number of dimensions should appear on both sides of the colon.
The member on the left side of the colon must have a location in the hierarchy that is
before the member on the right side of the colon. This can be an issue if you use the
same formula in different hierarchies.

Syntax
SUM(<set>)

Example
The first expression defines the calculation for the Year level in the TIME hierarchy.
Rolling = SUM(["TIME"=OPENINGPERIOD(ANCESTOR("TIME","Year"))]:["TIME"=
CLOSINGPERIOD(ANCESTOR("TIME","Year"))])
 Commonly Used Functions SUM Function 153

This expression is scoped as follows.

154 VIRTUALCHILD Function Chapter 9

The second expression is scoped to the Quarters and has the following syntax:
SUM(["TIME"=OPENINGPERIOD(ANCESTOR("TIME","QuarterYear"))]:["TIME"=
CLOSINGPERIOD(ANCESTOR("TIME","QuarterYear"))])
The scoping is defined as follows.

The third expression is not scoped and uses the following expression.
IF(PROPERTY("TIME","Flag") ="1", ["ANALYSIS"="Actual"],
["ANALYSIS"="Forecast"])
In these formulas, the SUM function is used in combination with the OPENING
PERIOD, CLOSING PERIOD and ANCESTOR functions to generate a rolling period
value.

VIRTUALCHILD Function

Use
The VIRTUALCHILD returns a reference to the virtual child of a specified member. It
takes one argument, which is a reference to the member whose virtual child you want to
refer to. The member cannot be a leaf member because leaf members do not have virtual
children.
 Commonly Used Functions Using String Functions in a Bracketed Member Reference 155

Syntax
VIRTUALCHILD(<memberCode>)

Example
See PARENT.

Adding Comments within a Formula Expression

It is useful to insert comments within a formula expression to document the use
and/or intent of the formula expression. To insert a comment, place the following
symbols before and after the comment text: /*comment text */
For example:
SUM(["ACCOUNT"="Accounts & Notes Receivable"]
["TIME"=OPENINGPERIOD(ANCESTOR("TIME","Year"))]:["ACCOUNT"="Accounts
& Notes Receivable"]
["TIME"=CURRENT("TIME")])/(PROPERTY("TIME","Month_number"))
/ calculates the YTD average by adding the first leaf of the year through the current
period divided by the number of periods using a custom property to identify the number
of periods */

Using String Functions in a Bracketed Member Reference

The following string functions can be used inside a bracketed member reference:
ANCESTOR, CLOSINGPERIOD, COMPRESS, CURRENT, FIRSTCHILD,
FIRSTSIBLING, LASTCHILD, LEFT, LOWCASE, NEXT, OPENINGPERIOD,
PARENT, PREVIOUS, PROPERTY, REPEAT, REVERSE, RIGHT, SUBSTR, SCAN,
TRIM, UPCASE, VIRTUALCHILD
See the OPENINGPERIOD example. It uses the OPENINGPERIOD, ANCESTOR,
and CURRENT functions within bracketed TIME member references.
156 Codes Containing Single and Double Quotation Marks Chapter 9

Using Dates and Numbers in Formula Syntax

To insert a date or number, you must use formats that are supported in the en_US
locale, regardless of the default data locale. For example, the period in a number such as
1.123 represents a decimal point, not a thousands separator. As another example,
DATE(2011/01/01), DATE(20110101), and DATE(2011-01-01) are valid, but
DATE(2011.01.02) and DATE(30.12.2011) are not.

Codes Containing Single and Double Quotation Marks

A formula cannot be created referencing a dimension type code or a member code
containing both single quotation marks and double quotation marks. For example, a
formula cannot reference ["ACCOUNT"="Tolkien's "The Hobbit""] because the member
contains both single quotation marks and double quotation marks. An unexpected token
error will occur.
If a dimension type code or a member code contains double quotation marks, edit the
syntax to replace the double quotation marks around the code with single quotation
marks. For example, if you have ["ACCOUNT"="my "own" account"] edit the formula
syntax to instead be ["ACCOUNT"='my "own" account'].
 157

10 Interactions with Load and Delete

C H A P T E R

Data Options

Options for Loading Data .......................................................................................................................... 157

Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 157
Load new data to this cycle Option .................................................................................................... 158
Load model data to this cycle Option ................................................................................................ 158
Loading Data and the Source Dimension ................................................................................................. 158
Scenario 1. Selecting the Base Source Member ................................................................................. 159
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 159
Modeling Formula ...................................................................................................................... 159
Formula Scope ............................................................................................................................ 159
Facts ............................................................................................................................................ 159
Results......................................................................................................................................... 160
Formula Scope ............................................................................................................................ 162
Scenario 2. Selecting the BaseForm Source Member ........................................................................ 163
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 163
Formula ...................................................................................................................................... 163
Formula Scope ............................................................................................................................ 163
Facts ............................................................................................................................................ 164
Results......................................................................................................................................... 164
Loading Driver Formulas Facts to the Base Member of the Source Dimension....................................... 165
Deleting Data and Driver Facts ................................................................................................................ 166

Options for Loading Data

Introduction
There are two ways to load data in SAS Financial Management in the Periods
workspace:
 load new data to this cycle
 load model data to this cycle
158 Loading Data and the Source Dimension Chapter 10

Load new data to this cycle Option

Use this option to load data from the SAS Financial Management Data Mart
(SASSDM). In addition to specifying the Time and Analysis dimension, the data load
can also be subset to a select group of members for the IntOrg, Trader, Account, and
Custom dimensions. Loading can be either to the Base or BaseForm Source member.

Load model data to this cycle Option

This option is used to load data stored in the SASSDM. In addition to specifying the
Time and Analysis dimension, the data load can be subset to a select group of members
for the IntOrg, Account, and Custom dimensions. Loading can be either to the Base or
BaseForm Source member. Member mapping is optional, as is the application of a
multiplier to increase or decrease values.

Loading Data and the Source Dimension

Loading new data and model data offers the option to load to the Base or BaseForm
Source member. Therefore, it’s important to understand the differences that these
selections can make in formula results. The following scenarios illustrate the potential
formula result variances based on the Source member selection as illustrated in the
wizard below:
 Interactions with Load and Delete Data Options Loading Data and the Source Dimension 159

Scenario 1. Selecting the Base Source Member

Introduction
The Base member of the Source dimension is typically recommended when it is
necessary to keep numeric values loaded from the SASSDM separate from numeric
values entered through forms. This approach might require driver and modeling
formulas to explicitly state specific members of the Source dimension in the formula
expression to ensure correct results. To illustrate, we use the following example:

Modeling Formula
Sales = ["ACCOUNT"="Price"]*["ACCOUNT"="Units Sold"]*-1

Formula Scope
["ANALYSIS"="Budget"]
["ANALYSIS"="Forecast"]

Facts
For the Forecast Analysis member, facts from the Jan 2013 through Mar 2013 Budget
Analysis member are loaded to the same time periods for the Forecast Analysis member.
The data for the Budget Analysis member to be loaded to the Forecast Analysis member
is as follows:

The Budget data is loaded to the Forecast Analysis member, selecting to load to the
Base Source member. Following the load, the values for Units Sold are modified via
Data Entry to the following values:
Jan 2013: 125
Feb 2013: 150
Mar 2013: 175
160 Loading Data and the Source Dimension Chapter 10

The data-entry table for the modified Units Sold values for the Forecast Analysis
member is shown below:

Results
The expected results for Sales for the Forecast Analysis member are computed as
follows:
Jan 2013: 10.00 * 125.00 * -1 = (1,250.00)
Feb 2013: 10.00 * 150.00 * -1 = (1,500.00)
Mar 2013: 10.00 * 175.00 * -1 = (1,750.00)
Q1 2013: (1,250.00) + (1,500.00) + (1,750.00) = (4,500.00)
The read-only table displays the following results:

In this example, the Sales account’s values do not match the expected results. This is
due to the fact that the data was loaded to the Base Source member for the Forecast
Analysis dimension. After the data is loaded, modifications to the Units Sold account
through the Form are automatically stored in the BaseForm Source member.
 Interactions with Load and Delete Data Options Loading Data and the Source Dimension 161

The contributing data records for the Units Sold account for the Total Source member
for Jan 2013 show two things:
 A value of 100 is in the Base Source member.
 A net value of 25 is in the BaseForm source member.

Facts entered via a Form are always written to the BaseForm Source member. In this
example, the modified value of 125.00 entered for Source Total results in the difference
between the existing amount and the modified amount to be written to the BaseForm
Source member. Therefore, the value of 125.00 entered for Jan 2013 was netted against
the 100.00 value currently stored in the Base member. As shown in contributing data,
the 100 is negated in the BaseForm Source member, leaving a net value of 25.00 stored
for the BaseForm Source member.
Modeling formulas treat the Source dimension in the same way that they treat all
other dimensions. In each calculation, the Source member of all the input crossings is
the Source member of the output crossing, unless you override this behavior in the
formula expression. A calculation for a Base crossing gets its inputs from Base crossings,
and so on. Modifying the table to include the Source dimension more clearly illustrates
how the values for the Units Sold Account member were stored and the values for Jan
2013 Sales are calculated:

Based on where the data is stored, the results for the Sales account are currently
computed as follows:
Jan 2013: (10.00 * 100.00 * -1) + (0.00 * 25.00 * –1) = (1,000.00)
Feb 2013: (10.00 * 125.00 * -1) + (0.00 * 25.00 * –1) = (1,250.00)
Mar 2013: (10.00 * 150.00 * -1) + (0.00 * 25.00 * –1) = (1,500.00)
Q1 2013: (1,000.00) + (1,250.00) + (1,500.00) = (3,750.00)
It is important to consider the target member of the Source dimension for loading
data where driver formulas and modeling formulas are involved. In order to achieve the
originally expected results of (1,250.00), (1,500.00), (1,750.00) and (4,500.00), the
formula expression should be modified as follows:
Sales = ["SOURCE"="Base"]["ACCOUNT"="Price"]
*(["SOURCE"="Base"]["ACCOUNT"="Units
Sold"]+["SOURCE"="BaseForm"]["ACCOUNT"=
"Units Sold"])*-1
162 Loading Data and the Source Dimension Chapter 10

Formula Scope
["SOURCE"="BaseForm"]
The results for Jan 2013 based on the revised formula expression are as follows:

Note that with modeling formulas, it might also be necessary to define a formula
scope to ensure the desired results. If the formula scope is limited to the BaseForm
member of the Source dimension, the resulting table appears as displayed above.
Without formula scope on the Source dimension, a modeling formula runs for each
Source member that is a leaf member, as displayed below:

As illustrated, selecting the Base Source member as the target for loading data might
require additional maintenance for driver formulas and modeling formulas. We
recommend this only when you need to keep data that is loaded from an external source
or a model separate from data that is entered through Forms.
 Interactions with Load and Delete Data Options Loading Data and the Source Dimension 163

Scenario 2. Selecting the BaseForm Source Member

Introduction
If you do not have to keep data that is loaded from the SASSDM or a model separate
from data entered through a Form, then select the BaseForm member as the target for
loading data. The following scenario uses the same formula expression as Scenario 1.
Selecting BaseForm as the target member provides the following details:

Formula
Sales = ["ACCOUNT"="Price"]*["ACCOUNT"="Units Sold"]* -1

Formula Scope
["ANALYSIS"="Budget"]
["ANALYSIS"="Forecast"]
164 Loading Data and the Source Dimension Chapter 10

Facts
For the Forecast Analysis member, facts from the Jan 2013 through Mar 2013 Budget
Analysis member are loaded to the same time periods for the Forecast Analysis member.
The data for the Budget Analysis member to be loaded to the Forecast Analysis member
is as follows:

After the data load is loaded to the Forecast Analysis member for the BaseForm
Source member, the values for Units are modified as follows:
 Jan 2013: 100
 Feb 2013: 200
 Mar 2013: 300
The data-entry table for the modified Units values for the Forecast Analysis member
is shown here:

Results
The expected results for Sales are computed as follows:
Jan 2013: 15.00 * 100.00 * -1 = (1,500.00)
Feb 2013: 15.00 * 200.00 * -1 = (3,000.00)
Mar 2013: 15.00 * 300.00 * -1 = (4,500.00)
Q1 2013: (1,500.00) + (3,000.00) + (4,500.00) = (9,000.00)
Interactions with Load and Delete Data Options Loading Driver Formulas Facts to the Base Member of the Source Dimension 165

The read-only table displays the following results:

In this example, the values for the Sales account match the expected results. This is
because all the facts (whether loaded from another model or entered through a form) are
stored in the BaseForm Source member. The contributing data records for the Units
Sold account for Jan 2013 are as follows:

As evidenced in Scenario 2, selecting the BaseForm member as the target for loading
data proves to be the recommended approach where modeling formulas and driver
formulas are involved. This selection minimizes formula expression maintenance and
ensures formula accuracy.

Loading Driver Formulas Facts to the Base Member of the Source

Dimension
Another consideration to keep in mind when loading data from models is driver
formula facts. Because the results of driver formulas are stored as facts in the database,
these facts can be part of the data that is loaded. While this might be completely
acceptable, consider the following series of questions before you load data from a model:
1 Does the model contain driver formulas? If it does, continue to the next question.
If not, proceed to load the data.
2 Will the data be loaded to the Base member or the BaseForm member of the
Source dimension? If it is loaded to the Base member, continue to the next
question. If it is loaded to BaseForm, proceed to load data.
3 Are any of the driver formulas in the model scoped to exclude the target Analysis
member? If so, read the following paragraph for more details. If not, proceed to
load data.
If you are loading data from a model with driver formulas that are not scoped to
execute on the target Analysis member that data is being loaded to, load the data to the
BaseForm member of the Source dimension. This selection allows users to modify the
166 Deleting Data and Driver Facts Chapter 10

results loaded within the same Source member. In contrast, driver formula facts loaded
to the Base member cannot be modified in the Base Source member.

Deleting Data and Driver Facts

The Delete data from this cycle task is similar to the load wizards in that data can
be deleted by a subset of members for the Time, Analysis, IntOrg, Trader, Account, and
Custom dimensions. For deletion of cycle facts, the administrator has the ability to
select the following Source members: Base, BaseForm, and BaseJourn. Selecting the
BaseForm Source member displays the option to delete data entered through forms.
Note that selecting this option also deletes driver formula facts.
 167

11 Using Driver Formulas

C H A P T E R

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 167

Range of Execution .................................................................................................................................... 167
What Triggers Execution of a Driver Formula ......................................................................................... 168
Two Actions ........................................................................................................................................ 168
Driver Formulas That Are Triggered by Data Entry on a Form....................................................... 168
Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 168
Guidelines for Executing Driver Formulas ................................................................................ 168
Driver Formulas That Are Triggered by the Run driver formulas for this form set Option............. 169
Form Design............................................................................................................................................... 169
Form Design Restrictions .......................................................................................................................... 169
Delete Behavior with Run Driver Formulas for this Form Set Option..................................................... 170
Number of Driver Formulas in a Model .................................................................................................... 170

Introduction
Driver formulas provide a mechanism to create data using the context of a data-entry
table. This chapter explains how driver formula results are created and provides
recommendations for form design.

Range of Execution
The following items define the range of execution for a driver formula:
 formula scope (defined on the member).
 writable analyses (defined in the form set).
 writable crossings on the form set template after excluding crossings with hide
visibility rules and crossings removed via Filter Member Combinations.
 the driver formulas included on the data-entry table in the form set.
 driver formulas do not execute at TIME members which are locked in the cycle.

Effective with SAS Financial Management Studio 5.3, only drivers included on the
data-entry table are executed. This is a change in behavior from previous versions that
executed all driver formulas in a hierarchy, regardless of whether they were included on
the table or not.
With SAS Financial Management Studio 5.4 and later, drivers that are removed from
the table via Filter Member Combinations no longer execute. This change in behavior is
consistent with the requirement that a crossing must be navigable on the table in order
for the driver formula to execute.
168 What Triggers Execution of a Driver Formula Chapter 11

What Triggers Execution of a Driver Formula

Two Actions
There are two ways to execute driver formulas:
 entering data into a form.
 selecting the Run driver formulas for this form set option in the Forms
workspace. This option triggers the execution of driver formulas for the entire
form set.
Note that selecting Refresh does not trigger the execution of driver formulas.

Driver Formulas That Are Triggered by Data Entry on a Form

Overview
In most scenarios, the results of driver formulas are generated when you enter values
into a data-entry table. In these cases, no additional action is required. The next section
covers other instances where additional action is required by an administrator to trigger
driver formula execution.
Driver formula execution is triggered by the change in a value on a data-entry form.
When the value is entered, the formula result is calculated and stored in the database.

Guidelines for Executing Driver Formulas

Based on their design and limited range of execution, driver formulas provide an
efficient way to calculate values. The following guidelines apply to driver formula
execution at the time of data entry:
 Only driver formulas that are included on the data-entry table in the form will
run. Any driver formulas not on the data-entry table in the form will not execute
at writeback or while using the Run drivers for this form set action.
 Driver formulas read from and write to the BaseForm member of the Source
dimension. A driver formula can read from other members of the Source
dimension if you explicitly state the members in the formula expression or
implicitly state them as fixed members. A driver formula can write only to
BaseForm; this is not modifiable.
 Driver formula inputs referenced in the formula expression must be included on a
data-entry table to trigger driver formula execution at writeback. It is not
necessary that the inputs are on the table for the Run driver formulas for this
form set option.
 Driver formula expressions with relative time references such as
["TIME"=CURRENT("TIME")-1] can read from Time members that are not
included in the form. However, the formula expressions write only to those Time
members that are included in the form.
 Using Driver Formulas Form Design Restrictions 169

Driver Formulas That Are Triggered by the Run driver formulas for
this form set Option
The Run driver formulas for this form set option is required for the following
scenarios:
 changes to global values such as exchange rates, PRATE or DRATE rates, and
formula expression inputs that are not in a given form.
 changes to a driver formula expression after data input.
 creation or deletion of a driver formula after data input.
 loading data records that affect driver formulas.
 formula inputs are not included on the table.

Form Design
Form design defines the scope for execution of driver formulas when you select the
Run driver formulas for this form set option. This option examines member
selection for all slicers, rows, and columns. Limiting the number of slicers and members
in a form limits the number of drivers that need to be executed. This improves
performance. To optimize the performance of the Run driver formulas for this form
set option, the following guidelines are recommended:
 Limit the dimension members in rows, columns, and slicers to the members that
are required for data entry. Be sure to consider the Source and Trader dimensions.
 Use a separate read-only table for data that is needed in a form for information
purposes only. For example, if you need to enter data for a budget, maintain the
Actual data in a separate read-only table in the same form.
 Use Hide Visibility Rules or Filter Member Combinations to restrict the number of
crossings required to run driver formulas.
Note: Only driver formulas included on the data-entry table are executed. This is a
change in behavior from previous releases.

Form Design Restrictions

A form set whose target hierarchy is in the Account dimension cannot use the Run
driver formulas for this form set option. This task is rendered inactive in the Forms
workspace such that it cannot be selected. In this situation, you might need to consider
other formula types for calculation needs.
170 Number of Driver Formulas in a Model Chapter 11

Delete Behavior with Run Driver Formulas for this Form Set Option
When there are existing facts, the Run driver formulas for this form set option
performs one of the following two actions depending upon the type of fact(s) that exist:
 If the fact is a driver fact from the same form set, it deletes the existing fact and
replaces it with the newly executed driver fact.
 If the fact is not a driver fact from the same form set (such as form data entry,
loading, or a previously executed driver fact from a different form set), the fact is
negated and the newly executed driver fact will result.
Note: Only driver formulas which were generated by this form set are deleted.

Number of Driver Formulas in a Model

There is no limit to the number of driver formulas that can be created and used in a
model. However, to optimize formula performance, you should define driver formulas on
no more than 50 members.
171 171

12 Optimizing Formula Performance

C H A P T E R

Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 171

Comparing the Execution of Driver Formulas and Modeling Formulas.................................................. 171
Managing Formulas for Performance ....................................................................................................... 173
Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 173
Model Size .......................................................................................................................................... 174
Formula Scope ................................................................................................................................... 174
Number of Formula Expression Inputs ............................................................................................. 175
Using the SUBSTR Function............................................................................................................. 175
Distributive Optimization for Modeling Formulas ........................................................................... 175
Visibility Rules ................................................................................................................................... 176
Usage and Placement of Reporting Formulas ................................................................................... 176
Using CubeFormulasInfo and QueryStats Logging ................................................................................. 177
Applying Performance Improvements ....................................................................................................... 177
Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 178
Example 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 178
Step 1: Create a Query with No Formulas ................................................................................. 178
Step 2: Add a Modeling Formula with Scoping on the Analysis Dimension ............................ 178
Step 3: Add Additional Scoping to the Modeling Formula........................................................ 179
Step 4: Modify Formula Expression to Use Multiple Expressions per Member......................... 180
Example 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 181
Step 1: Create a Query with No Formulas ................................................................................. 181
Step 2: Add a Distributive Modeling Formula with Multiple Inputs and Cross-Dimensional
References.................................................................................................................................... 182
Step 3: Modify Account Hierarchy to Reduce Formula Expression Inputs ............................... 183
Step 4: Remove Cross-Dimensional References .......................................................................... 184

Overview
This chapter describes the factors that can affect performance of driver, modeling and
reporting formulas and the various options to improve performance. As described
earlier, each formula type was designed for a specific intent. Driver and Modeling
formulas are designed for data creation, whereas Reporting formulas are intended to
report on the results of data in the form of ratios and other calculations.
There are few scenarios for which modeling formulas are recommended. Modeling
formulas can be used for what-if analyses where inputs change frequently and results
are expected instantly. However, carefully consider the performance factors described
here. When possible, perform what-if analyses in a separate model to confine the
performance cost.

Comparing the Execution of Driver Formulas and Modeling

Formulas
A driver formula runs in the context of a data-entry form, which defines where data is
being collected and therefore significantly reduces the scope for which the formula runs.
172 Comparing the Execution of Driver Formulas and Modeling Formulas Chapter 12

A modeling formula runs across an entire model. The difference is dramatic. A form
might have hundreds or thousands of writable crossings while a model might have
trillions or quadrillions.
A query for a driver formula’s results returns values based on facts that were stored
in the database after the last execution of the formula. Using driver formulas protects
against unwanted changes after a budget is approved. A driver formula does not execute
unless data is entered into a form or the Run driver formulas for this form set
action is used.
A modeling formula runs each time a user submits a query, so the results are always
based on the latest data and metadata. However, there is a performance cost. In many
cases, the inputs have not changed so there is no benefit to running the formula again.
The following tables illustrate the difference in the number of crossings for execution
of these two types of formulas. In this example, the modeling formula runs for 535
trillion cells while the driver formula is limited to 38,400 writable crossings.
Modeling Formula Scope:

Extending the example from above for driver formulas, the following table illustrates
the number of crossings for which the driver formula runs. Assume that there are 50
driver formulas in this model’s hierarchy but only 10 driver formulas are included on the
data-entry table. When a value is entered into a form for a single crossing, this entry
triggers all driver formulas in the table for the crossing for which the value was entered.
In this example, the number of accounts decreases from 30 (in the form set) to 10 (the
number of driver formulas on the table). The driver formulas will be executed for all
writable crossings on the form. In this example, entering a value in a form triggers the
execution of driver formulas for a total of 2,400 crossings.
The form set uses INTORG as the target hierarchy, and there are 16 INTORG
members. Therefore, the Run driver formulas for this form set action triggers
formula execution for 38,400 crossings: the number of writable crossings for one form
(12 Time periods * 20 Cost Centers) times the number of driver formulas (10) times the
number of target members (16).
 Optimizing Formula Performance Managing Formulas for Performance 173

Driver Formula Scope:

The following factors affect the number of crossings where a driver formula runs when
a user enters one numeric value in a form or when you select the Run Driver formulas
for this form set option:
 number of driver formulas included on the data entry table
 number of writable crossings for each dimension defined in the form set on the
data entry table
When you design a form set, limit the members in rows, columns, and slicers to
relevant members that require input. Data that is required in a form for informational
purposes should be displayed only in a separate read-only table. Use Visibility Rules to
restrict the number of crossings.
The writable crossings for the Analysis dimension are based on the Writable Analysis
Members selected in the Form Set. The writable crossings are further subset by a
formula’s scoping. After the formula’s scope is applied, the writable crossings are further
subset by the “selected” Analysis members. The Analysis members are selected through
member selection rules on the data-entry template in Microsoft Excel.
The following table compares the number of crossings where a modeling formula runs
with the number of crossings where a driver formula runs in the example just described.

Managing Formulas for Performance

Introduction
There are several factors that can affect the query and execution time for Reporting,
Modeling, and Driver formulas. Formula performance is primarily attributed to the
following:
 Model Size
 Formula Scope
 Number of formula expression inputs
174 Managing Formulas for Performance Chapter 12

 Use of the SUBSTR function

 Ability to use Distributive Optimization
 Visibility Rules
 Usage and Placement of Reporting Formulas

Model Size
The first step to understanding the performance impact of Modeling and Driver
formulas is determining the size of the model. Model size is defined by the number of
dimensions assigned to the model and the number of members in the selected
hierarchies for those dimensions. To determine the total number of crossings in a given
model, multiply the number of members in each dimension’s hierarchy. In the following
example, the model contains over 153 trillion crossings, computed as
9,189*118*83*45*43*21*7*6.

To reduce model size, we suggest using Custom Properties rather than custom
dimensions. An unlimited number of Custom Properties can be assigned to dimension
members without increasing the model size or impacting formula performance.
Based on the example above, modifying the Model and Cycle design to make the
Product custom dimension a Custom Property of the INTORG dimension results in an
adjusted cube size of approximately 17 billion crossings, computed as
118*83*45*43*21*7*6. That’s a reduction of more than 153 trillion crossings!

Formula Scope
Following consideration for the model design and size, the use of formula scoping is an
effective means of reducing the number of crossings where a formula executes.
Knowledge of where relevant data exists is crucial to maximizing the use of scoping,
which can dramatically improve the performance of modeling formulas. The most
common dimensions to consider for scoping are the Source, Trader, and Analysis
dimensions.
 Optimizing Formula Performance Managing Formulas for Performance 175

To illustrate, refer to the example above with the model size of 153 trillion crossings.
Scoping for an individual modeling formula on the Source, Trader, and Analysis
dimensions reduces the number of crossings from 153 trillion to approximately 326
million.

Number of Formula Expression Inputs

While the previous two factors address limiting the number of crossings, the next
three factors apply specifically to the formula expression. Following careful review of
model size and formula scoping to limit formula execution, minimizing the number of
formula inputs referenced in the formula expression is another means of optimizing
formula performance. Where possible, design a hierarchy that enables formulas to refer
to one parent instead of many children. For example, a formula containing
["ACCOUNT"="Parent"] runs faster than a formula containing ["ACCOUNT”="child1"] +
["ACCOUNT"="child2"] + ["ACCOUNT”= "child3"].

Using the SUBSTR Function

Limiting the use of certain functions in the formula expression such as SUBSTR
improves formula performance. In most cases, designing a hierarchy such that scoping
can be applied or using Custom Properties eliminates the need for the SUBSTR function
in formula expression. For example, using scoping with a member selection rule such as
“Leaf descendants of Member, otherwise Member” or using property scoping results in a
more efficient formula expression (less time required to execute).

Distributive Optimization for Modeling Formulas

For eligible formula expressions, SAS Financial Management applies distributive
optimizations for enhanced formula execution processing. These optimizations are
performed on a per-dimension basis. An example of a formula that qualifies for
distributive optimization is as follows:
Estimated Benefits = ["ACCOUNT"="Salaries"] * ["ACCOUNT"="Estimated
Benefit Percentage"]`
The following characteristics of a modeling formula expression prevent the use of
distributive optimizations in any dimension:
 The expression uses the DRATE function, the XRATE function, or the ISLEAF
function.
 The expression is on an account whose account type is Statistical.
 The expression refers to an account whose account type is Statistical.
 The expression uses the IF function or the NESTIF function. Any formula that
contains a member-based IF function or NESTIF function should be replaced with
multiple expressions on the same member, each appropriately scoped.
 The expression adds a constant to another term. An example is ["ACCOUNT"="A"]
+ 2.
 The expression multiplies or divides the value at one crossing by the value at
another crossing. An example is ["ACCOUNT"="A"]/["ACCOUNT"="B"].
176 Managing Formulas for Performance Chapter 12

If a distributive expression contains a reference to a member of any dimension other

than the Account dimension (either explicitly or as a fixed member), then the
distributive optimization is not used in that dimension. This becomes increasingly
expensive as the number of such references and the size of the relevant dimensions
increases.
Note: A formula is never distributive in the Time dimension.
If a modeling formula expression cannot take advantage of the distributive
optimizations, then it is especially important to apply formula scoping (where possible).
This limits the number of times that the expression is executed.

Visibility Rules
The number of cells for which the “Run driver formulas for this form set” action
executes can be reduced dramatically by applying Visibility Rules. The following table
demonstrates the impact when visibility rules are utilized.

In the table above, the reduction of members in the Location dimension is due to
Visibility Rules created between the IntOrg and Location dimension. For each form,
there are approximately four valid locations that for each IntOrg. Applying visibility
rules removes non-relevant combinations between these two dimensions, thereby
reducing the total number of crossings where drivers could execute.
Note: Visibility Rules are most effective when the entire set of visibility rules
references members in no more than two dimensions. If it is necessary to include
members of more than two dimensions, performance time to run the query and run
drivers will be negatively impacted.

Usage and Placement of Reporting Formulas

Reporting formulas are designed to calculate the results of data and report on those
results. Since reporting formulas do not contribute to rollup values, Retained Earnings,
or Cumulative Translation Adjustment account types, they are not recommended as a
means of data creation and should not be used as such.
Creating a reporting formula with extensive scoping to run at only leaf levels similar
to modeling and driver formulas will significantly impact query and execution time. This
 Optimizing Formula Performance Applying Performance Improvements 177

design results in the need to create additional reporting formulas in each dimension to
re-create rollup logic to include the values generated by other reporting formulas.
Note: It is strongly discouraged to utilize reporting formulas in this manner because
of performance implications. Also, we suggest limiting the number of calculated
members assigned as reporting formulas to no more than two dimensions, where
possible.

Using CubeFormulasInfo and QueryStats Logging

If you set the com.sas.solutions.odcs.formulas.CubeFormulasInfo package in the
logging.xml file to INFO, information is logged about each formula and whether it is
marked as distributive in any dimension.
For example, this formula is distributive in five dimensions:
(["ACCOUNT"="01"] + ["ACCOUNT"="02"] + ["ACCOUNT"="03"]) * .3 * -1
This distribution is shown by CubeFormulasInfo logging:
[ACCOUNT].[3530000899](test) id=325 RefsRollup rhs=[]
distrib=[3_COSTCTR,4_INTORG,5_TRADER,6_FOB,7_LOCATION]
The following formula is not distributive because it contains a reference to a cell value
from a conditional statement:
IF (ABS (["SOURCE"="Base"]) > .01, 0 ,
(["ACCOUNT"="01"]["LOCATION"="000"] ["SOURCE"="Total"] +
["ACCOUNT"="02"]["LOCATION"="000"] ["SOURCE"="Total"] +
["ACCOUNT"="33"]["LOCATION"="000"] ["SOURCE"="Total"]) * .21)
CubeFormulasInfo does not display any dimensions as being distributive:
[ACCOUNT].[3530000899](test2) id=340 RefsRollup rhs=[] distrib=[]
If you set the com.sas.solutions.odcs.query.QueryStats package in the logging.xml file
to INFO, information such as processing time and cell count for formula execution is
logged for a query:
2007-07-11 14:11:49,985 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 00:21.759 (3040 cells),
Fact Map Build (209 chunks): 00:00.016, Graph Build: 00:00.016, Graph
Execution: 00:21.634, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing (tot/exc/skip/ice/rel)
(60235/0/59760/0/475): 00:00.078
Graph (14 nodes/112042240 cells): Accounting 13/103423840, LeafFormula
1/8618400

Applying Performance Improvements

178 Applying Performance Improvements Chapter 12

Introduction
This section applies the recommended performance measures on a step-by-step basis,
comparing execution time and cell count by step to illustrate the impact these measures
have on formula performance.

Example 1
 Step 1: Create a query with no formulas.
 Step 2: Add a Modeling formula with scoping on the Analysis dimension.
 Step 3: Add additional scoping to the modeling formula.
 Step 4: Modify formula expression to use multiple expressions per member.

The results of these steps are displayed below, followed by the details per step:

Step 1. Create a Query with No Formulas

The initial query contains 144,127,747,431,360 crossings based on the following
cardinalities: 209,21,9,41,41,2720,133,6. Based on the QueryStats information, the
resulting query rendered in Excel in less than one second as displayed below:
2007-07-12 09:39:31,617 INFO [Query] Processed query in 0ms
2007-07-12 09:39:31,617 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 00:00.000 (3040 cells),
Fact Map Build (13 chunks): 00:00.000, Graph Build: 00:00.000, Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing (tot/exc/skip/ice/rel)
(60235/0/60235/0/0): 00:00.000
Graph (1 nodes/3040 cells): Accounting 1/3040

Step 2. Add a Modeling Formula with Scoping on the Analysis

Dimension
From the initial query, a single Modeling formula is added with the following IF
statement expression:
Expression
IF((CURRENT("INTORG") = "100" | CURRENT("INTORG") = "300" |
CURRENT("INTORG") = "400"),
IF(["ACCOUNT"="2.1.3.EXT"] ^=
0,(["ACCOUNT"="1.2.1"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.2"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.3"]+["ACCOUNT"=
"1.2.4"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.5"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.6"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.8"]),
["ACCOUNT"="2.1.4"]),
 Optimizing Formula Performance Applying Performance Improvements 179

(["ACCOUNT"="2.3.1"]+["ACCOUNT"="2.3.2"]+["ACCOUNT"="2.3.3"]))
Formula
The formula is scoped to a single member of the Analysis dimension:
ANALYSIS: FORECAST_PRO - Member
Based on the use of the IF function in the formula expression, this formula is
considered Non-Distributive. The following information is provided:
Cube FormulasInfo
Planning Formulas formulas=1 chunks=1
[ACCOUNT].[2.1.3](all orgs) id=1117 rhs=[] distrib=[]
QueryStats Logging
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError
Due to the cell count size, adding a single Modeling formula with minimal scoping on
the Analysis dimension results in an Out of Memory error. In this situation, no values
are returned for the query.

Step 3. Add Additional Scoping to the Modeling Formula

In order to eliminate the Out of Memory error, further scoping is required to limit the
execution range of the formula expression. The following additional dimension members
from the Source and Trader dimension are included for formula scoping:
Formula
TRADER: EXT - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: Base - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: BaseForm - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: BaseJourn - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
While there is no change in the distributive property of the formula expression and
the CubeFormulasInfo detail remains unchanged, the query no longer runs out of
memory. The QueryStats Logging detail is as follows:
2007-07-12 09:49:44,558 INFO [Query] Processed query in 21452ms
2007-07-12 09:49:44,558 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 00:21.452 (3040 cells),
Fact Map Build (209 chunks): 00:00.032, Graph Build: 00:00.031, Graph
Execution: 00:21.374, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing (tot/exc/skip/ice/rel)
(60235/0/59760/0/475): 00:00.015
Graph (14 nodes/112042240 cells): Accounting 13/103423840, LeafFormula
1/8618400
180 Applying Performance Improvements Chapter 12

The additional formula scoping renders a reasonable cell count with an execution time
of approximately 21 seconds:

Step
4.

Modify Formula Expression to Use Multiple Expressions per Member

Modifying the formula expression and using multiple expressions further improves
the query performance. While the initial formula scoping on the Analysis, Source, and
Trader dimensions remains, additional scoping in the INTORG dimension is applied on
the first formula.
This additional scoping does not impact the cell count due to the fact that the second
formula does not also scope on the INTORG dimension members. This means that the
cell count remains unchanged from step 3. The modified formulas expressions and
scoping are as follows:
Formula 1
Name: orgs 100,300,400
Expression
IF(["ACCOUNT"="2.1.3.EXT"] ^=
0,(["ACCOUNT"="1.2.1"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.2"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.3"]+["ACCOUNT"=
"1.2.4"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.5"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.6"]+["ACCOUNT"="1.2.8"]),
["ACCOUNT"="2.1.4"])
Scope
TRADER: EXT - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: Base - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: BaseForm - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: BaseJourn - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
ANALYSIS: FORECAST_PRO - Member
INTORG: 100 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 300 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 400 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
Formula 2
Name: all other orgs
Expression
(["ACCOUNT"="2.3.1"]+["ACCOUNT"="2.3.2"]+["ACCOUNT"="2.3.3"])
Scope
TRADER: EXT - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: Base - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: BaseForm - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
SOURCE: BaseJourn - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
ANALYSIS: FORECAST_PRO - Member
 Optimizing Formula Performance Applying Performance Improvements 181

While there is no change in the distributive property of the formula expression and
the cell count remains unchanged, the time to execute the query has been significantly
reduced.
2007-07-12 11:16:43,972 INFO [Query] Processed query in 1188ms
2007-07-12 11:16:43,972 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 00:01.188 (3040 cells),
Setup: 00:00.015, Fact Map Build (531 chunks): 00:00.015, Graph Build:
00:00.032, Graph Execution: 00:01.141, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000,
Reporting Graph Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing
(tot/exc/skip/ice/rel) (60235/0/59760/0/303): 00:00.000
Graph (15 nodes/7136320 cells): Accounting 13/6373600, LeafFormula
2/762720

This example illustrates how the combined use of formula scoping and multiple
expressions per member can render queries with execution times virtually equal to that
of queries containing no formulas.

Example 2
 Step 1: Create a query with no formulas.
 Step 2: Add a Distributive Modeling formula with multiple inputs and cross-
dimensional references.
 Step 3: Modify Account hierarchy to reduce formula expression inputs.
 Step 4: Remove cross-dimensional references.

The results of these steps are displayed below, followed by the details per step.

Step
1.
182 Applying Performance Improvements Chapter 12

Create a Query with No Formulas

In this example, the initial query contains 757,387,553,255,325,000 crossings based
on the following cardinalities: 1258, 21, 41, 767, 18, 18, 1097, 15, 171, 1. Based on the
QueryStats information, the resulting query rendered in Excel in less than one second
as displayed below:
2007-07-12 12:27:35,035 INFO [Query] Processed query in 46ms
2007-07-12 12:27:35,035 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 00:00.046 (15680 cells),
Fact Map Build (71 chunks): 00:00.000, Graph Build: 00:00.015, Graph
Execution: 00:00.015, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing (tot/exc/skip/ice/rel)
(160720/0/159033/0/1146): 00:00.016
Graph (1 nodes/15680 cells): Accounting 1/15680

Step 2, Add a Distributive Modeling Formula with Multiple Inputs and

Cross-Dimensional References
From the initial query, a single Modeling formula is added with the following formula
expression and scoping:
Expression
["ACCOUNT"="02"]+(["ACCOUNT"="03"]["INTORG"="ROLLUP WITH 7
CHILDREN"]["COSTCTR"="99"])+["ACCOUNT"="04"]+["ACCOUNT"="06"]+
["ACCOUNT"="07"]+["ACCOUNT"="08"]+["ACCOUNT"="09"]+["ACCOUNT"="10"]
Scope
INTORG: 75 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 20 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 40 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 17 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 63 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 64 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 65 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: BAL - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1000 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1001 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1002 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 100300 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 100400 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1100 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 15 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 20 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 25 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 30 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 35 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 40 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 45 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 50 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 55 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
 Optimizing Formula Performance Applying Performance Improvements 183

COSTCTR: 60 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member

COSTCTR: 65 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 70 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 75 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 80 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 85 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 90 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 95 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: NEW - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
The CubeFormulasInfo shows the formula expression is Distributive in four
dimensions:
2007-07-12 12:36:27,992 INFO [CubeFormulasInfo]
Planning Formulas formulas=1 chunks=1
[ACCOUNT].[3530000899](Location 139) id=343 RefsRollup rhs=[]
distrib=[1_SOURCE,5_TRADER,6_FOB,7_LOCATION]

Despite its distributivity and scoping, Query Stats Logging shows that query
execution time is now 1.02 minutes.
2007-07-12 12:37:30,771 INFO [Query] Processed query in 62732ms
2007-07-12 12:37:30,771 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 01:02.732 (2240 cells),
Fact Map Build (195 chunks): 00:00.141, Graph Build: 00:00.000, Graph
Execution: 01:02.575, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing (tot/exc/skip/ice/rel)
(160720/0/160120/0/600): 00:00.016
Graph (10 nodes/75354440 cells): Accounting 9/65937032, LeafFormula
1/9417408

Step 3. Modify Account Hierarchy to Reduce Formula Expression

Inputs
To reduce query execution time, design an Account hierarchy that uses SAS Financial
Management’s roll-up logic. This hierarchy significantly improves query performance
time for formula expressions that reference roll-ups instead of the members that
contribute to those roll-ups. In this step, the revised hierarchy allows the formula
expression to be written as follows:
Expression
(["ACCOUNT"="03"]["INTORG"="ROLLUP WITH 7
CHILDREN"]["COSTCTR"="99"])+["ACCOUNT"="new rollup"]
Scope
INTORG: 75 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 20 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 40 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 17 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 63 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
184 Applying Performance Improvements Chapter 12

INTORG: 64 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member

INTORG: 65 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: BAL - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1000 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1001 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1002 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 100300 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 100400 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1100 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 15 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 20 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 25 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 30 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 35 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 40 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 45 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 50 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 55 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 60 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 65 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 70 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 75 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 80 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 85 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 90 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 95 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: NEW - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
While the cell count remains unchanged based on this modification, query execution
time is significantly improved as displayed in the QueryStats Logging Information
below:
2007-07-12 12:45:11,106 INFO [Query] Processed query in 11733ms
2007-07-12 12:45:11,106 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 00:11.733 (2240 cells),
Fact Map Build (51 chunks): 00:00.015, Graph Build: 00:00.000, Graph
Execution: 00:11.718, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing (tot/exc/skip/ice/rel)
(160720/0/160120/0/600): 00:00.000
Graph (4 nodes/18849992 cells): Accounting 3/9432584, LeafFormula
1/9417408

Step 4. Remove Cross-Dimensional References

Modifying the existing formula expression to remove cross-dimensional references to
the INTORG and COSTCTR dimensions significantly improves performance since now
 Optimizing Formula Performance Applying Performance Improvements 185

the INTORG and COSTCTR dimensions are considered distributive. The revised
formula and resulting CubeFormulasInfo Logging detail are displayed below:
Expression
["ACCOUNT"="03"]+["ACCOUNT"="new rollup"]
Scope
INTORG: 75 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 20 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 40 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 17 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 63 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 64 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
INTORG: 65 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: BAL - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1000 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1001 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1002 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 100300 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 100400 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 1100 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 15 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 20 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 25 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 30 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 35 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 40 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 45 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 50 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 55 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 60 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 65 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 70 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 75 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 80 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 85 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 90 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: 95 - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
COSTCTR: NEW - Leaf descendants of member if any, otherwise Member
Logging CubeFormulasInfo
Planning Formulas formulas=1 chunks=1
[ACCOUNT].[3530000899](Distrib test) id=345 RefsRollup rhs=[]
distrib=[1_SOURCE,3_COSTCTR,4_INTORG,5_TRADER,6_FOB,7_LOCATION]
["ACCOUNT"="03"]+["ACCOUNT"="new rollup"]
186 Applying Performance Improvements Chapter 12

The resulting revised formula expression significantly improves query execution time
as displayed below in the QueryStats Logging information:
2007-07-12 12:47:34,333 INFO [Query] Processed query in 593ms
2007-07-12 12:47:34,333 INFO [QueryStats] Total: 00:00.593 (2240 cells),
Fact Map Build (71 chunks): 00:00.015, Graph Build: 00:00.000, Graph
Execution: 00:00.578, Reporting Graph Build: 00:00.000, Reporting Graph
Execution: 00:00.000, Fact Processing (tot/exc/skip/ice/rel)
(160720/0/160120/0/600): 00:00.000
Graph (4 nodes/1360520 cells): Accounting 3/907760, LeafFormula 1/452760

This example illustrates how minimizing formula inputs and cross-dimensional

references in the formula expression, as well as applying formula scoping can render
queries with execution times virtually equal to that of queries containing no formulas at
all.
 187

13 Troubleshooting
C H A P T E R

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 187

Troubleshooting in SAS Financial Management Studio .......................................................................... 187
Reviewing Formula Validation within a Model ................................................................................ 187
Troubleshooting in Microsoft Excel and on the Web ................................................................................. 188
Verifying Formula Results with the Excel Add-In .................................................................................... 189
Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 189
Step 1: Verify That the Formula Expression Is Executing for the Analyzed Cell ............................. 189
Step 2: Include All Operands on the Table; Review Formula Input Values ..................................... 190
Step 3: Ensure That Inputs Match the Formula Expression............................................................. 190
Formula Results in a NaN or Zero .................................................................................................... 191
Invalid Reporting and/or Modeling Formula Results in NaN or Red Cell .............................. 191
Invalid Driver Formula Results in Zero .................................................................................... 191
Web Data-Entry Forms .............................................................................................................................. 191
Troubleshooting Excel-based Calculated Members................................................................................... 192

Introduction
This chapter discusses the tools and information available in the following locations to
investigate invalid calculated members and formula results for valid calculated
members:
 SAS Financial Management Studio
 the Microsoft Excel Add-in
 web-based data-entry forms

Troubleshooting in SAS Financial Management Studio

Reviewing Formula Validation within a Model

Formula syntax validation is performed when a formula expression is created on a
calculated member in the Dimensions workspace in SAS Financial Management Studio.
The validation ensures that the dimensions and members referenced in the formula
expression exist and that the expression is syntactically correct. While the calculated
member might pass validation in the Dimensions workspace, it does not ensure that the
formula is valid within the context of a model.
To illustrate, the following formula example is valid in the context of the Dimensions
workspace based on its syntax and accurate reference to dimension members:
Previous Period Salaries =
["ACCOUNT"="Total Salaries"]["TIME"=PREVIOUS("TIME")]["ANALYSIS"="ACTUAL"]
In a model where the Account hierarchy does not contain the Account member “Total
Salaries”, the formula expression is invalid within the context of that model. Formula
validation information about a model basis can be viewed in Model Properties on the
188 Troubleshooting in Microsoft Excel and on the Web Chapter 13

Formulas tab. Select Show Formulas. A warning icon is displayed next to any
calculated member that contains an invalid formula expression.
In the example provided above, the following warning is displayed on the formula
expression that refers to that Account because “Total Salaries” is not in the model’s
Account hierarchy:

To minimize the number of invalid formula expressions displayed in a table, it is

recommended that you resolve all Model formula warnings before viewing formula
results in Excel or on the web.

Troubleshooting in Microsoft Excel and on the Web

In some cases, formula results in the context of an Excel or web-based table can still
be invalid, even when they are valid in the context of a Model. The results of these
invalid table-based formula expressions are either a NaN for Reporting or Modeling
formulas or a zero for Driver formulas, Invalid table-based formula expressions are
typically the result of one of the following issues:
 Missing exchange rates.
 Missing DRATES.
 Security does not allow viewing rights.
 The denominator for the expression is zero.

The following sections discuss troubleshooting invalid formula expressions in both

Excel and on the web.
 Troubleshooting Verifying Formula Results with the Excel Add-In 189

Verifying Formula Results with the Excel Add-In

Introduction
If a formula returns an unexpected value, follow these steps to determine how the
value was derived.

Step 1: Verify That the Formula Expression Is Executing for the

Analyzed Cell
1 In an Excel table, select the cell containing the unexpected value.
2 Right-click the cell.
3 Select Tools  Cell Information to confirm the formula expression executing for
this crossing.
If a formula is executing for this cell, the formula type, expression, Fixed
Members, if any, and the name of the formula expression is displayed. Note that
only the first 200 characters of a formula expression are displayed followed by a
“…” to indicate when the entire expression extends beyond the maximum number
of allowable characters.
If a different formula expression is displayed, go to the Dimensions workspace in SAS
Financial Management Studio to review the scoping and rank of this formula expression
compared to the scoping and rank of the formula expression you were expecting to
execute for this cell. If the formula is a Reporting formula, you might need to change the
Dimension rank in the Model Properties dialog box on the Formulas page if you have
two reporting formulas in different dimensions executing for the same crossing.
If no formula information is provided in Cell Information, then the value in this cell is
not being generated by a formula. If you are expecting a modeling or driver formula to
execute here, follow these steps:
1 Ensure that you are at a leaf crossing by putting every dimension on the table and
selecting a leaf member for each dimension on the slicers.
2 Right-click a cell containing all leaf-level members.
3 Select Tools  Cell Information.
If no formula information is provided, follow these steps to review the Model
Properties for the related model.
1 In SAS Financial Management Studio, select the Dimensions page under Model
Properties.
2 Highlight the dimension that contains the formula.
3 Click the Preview button by the Hierarchy drop-down list.
4 Ensure that the member is in the hierarchy and that it has a calculated member
icon.
5 Select Formulas on Model Properties and select the Show Formulas button.
6 Find the formula in this window and confirm that the expression and scoping are
correct.
Note: If the model is not using the current version of this hierarchy, the expression in
the Model properties might be different than the one you see in the Dimensions
workspace. The expression in the Dimensions workspace is the current version.
190 Verifying Formula Results with the Excel Add-In Chapter 13

Step 2: Include All Operands on the Table; Review Formula Input

Values
If the formula is a modeling or driver formula, perform validation in the functional
currency of the ORG member, as explained earlier in the Formula Computation
chapter.
Reporting formula results can be validated in any currency.

Step 3: Ensure That Inputs Match the Formula Expression

For example, the following formula expression does not appear to be executing:
Account C = ["ACCOUNT"="Account A"]*["ACCOUNT"="Account B"]

After expanding the table to display leaf crossings, it is apparent that the formula
inputs were entered at different Products (Simulation and Arcade) resulting in a value
of zero for Account C.
 Troubleshooting Web Data-Entry Forms 191

Formula Results in a NaN or Zero

Invalid Reporting and/or Modeling Formula Results in NaN or Red Cell
When the result of a Reporting and/or Modeling formula is a NaN or red cell, users
can select Tools  Cell Information to get more information regarding the cause of
error.

Invalid Driver Formula Results in Zero

Unlike invalid Reporting and Modeling formulas, invalid Driver formulas do not
generate NaNs or red cells. This difference is based on performance and issues related to
fact storage. If a Driver formula returns a zero when a different result is expected, it is
helpful to modify the formula type to Modeling and select Refresh All in Excel to see if a
NaN or red cell is returned. In that case, Cell Information provides more detailed
information regarding the reason for the NaN. If the formula is not scoped, the Modeling
formula might be too large to run.
Changing the formula type to Reporting might help.
However, keep in mind that the formula computation logic for Driver and Modeling
formulas is different than the logic for Reporting formulas, and a NaN might not be
encountered as a Reporting Formula.
Selecting Tools  Contributing Data for a cell is also helpful in determining the
source of the data records. To view, click the cell where a Driver formula has executed.
The fact (or facts) which make up the value are displayed, along with the Object_Type
(Data load or form set) and Object (Data load ID or Form Set Name).
In the following example, data was loaded from another Model. The value of 3.60 from
Data Load was then negated by a Driver formula for (3.60), and the Driver Formula
generated a value of 9.00.

Note that only driver formula results actually generate a fact that is stored and
viewable via Contributing Data. Modeling and Reporting formulas are computed on
demand. Therefore, their results are not stored as facts.

Web Data-Entry Forms

The Contributing Data action is not available in a web data-entry form. To view
information for a NaN displayed on the web, hover over the NaN. A floating dialog box
appears with information regarding the NaN. For invalid formula issues in a web data-
entry form, the Excel template can be used to verify formula syntax for a specific cell
through Cell Information.
192 Troubleshooting Excel-based Calculated Members Chapter 13

Troubleshooting Excel-based Calculated Members

Syntax validation for Excel-based calculated members occurs at the time of creation in
the Excel Add-in. Since the context of the model is known and referenced at the time
these members are created, invalid results typically are limited to the following:
 missing exchange rates
 missing DRATES
 incorrect reference to Dimension code names, Standard and Custom Properties