2005 - IBP Excel AddIn FeatureDeepDive 05 2020
2005 - IBP Excel AddIn FeatureDeepDive 05 2020
PUBLIC
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The SAP Integrated Business Planning, add-in for Microsoft Excel (short: IBP Excel add-in) is one
of the key access points to key figures and master data that is stored in the SAP IBP backend. It is
one of the main user interfaces for the end users of SAP Integrated Business Planning (SAP IBP).
The following slides want to provide an overview of the key features and concepts of the IBP Excel
add-in and is directed to end users.
The presentation can be used, for example, for end user training during an implementation project.
Please note that the screenshots and examples are based on test sample planning views and a test
data set. The planning view templates and planning views can look different in your case due to
custom formatting, branding, and additional VBA code that you embedded.
1) Introduction
2) How to logon to SAP Integrated Business Planning via the IBP Excel add-in
3) How to create planning views
4) How to save data
5) How to work with planning views
6) Application jobs in the IBP Excel add-in
7) Master Data Maintenance
8) Alert key figures and alert dashboard
9) S&OP task management
10) Navigation to the Web UI
11) User settings and more in the About area
12) How to logoff and troubleshoot a disabled IBP Excel add-in
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Introduction
Planning in Microsoft Excel for professional planners
Native Excel
capabilities, such
as charts and drop
downs, including
VBA coding
Data from
SAP IBP database
• The IBP Excel add-in does not run in the SAP Cloud (which SAP Integration Business Planning does), but needs to be installed on the
PC of the individual users, or needs to be made available to the users in a Citrix environment at the customer. The customer is
responsible for upgrading the add-in versions for the individual users.
• With every SAP IBP release, also a new IBP Excel add-in version is released, but it is not mandatory to use the newest add-in version,
even though it is a best practice.
• New features, such as, planning notes or fixing of key figures, are only available as of the respective IBP Excel add-in version.
• The current IBP Excel add-in versions are upward compatible and downward compatible down to SAP IBP 6.2.6. This means that they
can be used with lower and higher releases of SAP Integrated Business Planning. However, some functionality might not be available if
you use an older IBP Excel add-in version with a newer SAP IBP backend system.
Over the course of 2019, we are planning a stepwise update and subsequent phase-out of older versions of underlying protocols and
authenticating standards for SAP Integrated Business Planning. Affected by this is also the IBP Excel add-in. End of May 2019, the
1711.2.0 version of the IBP Excel add-in will be the lowest possible version that users will be able to log on to SAP IBP with. With SAP IBP
1911, we will raise this lowest possible version once again - to the 1808.2.0 IBP Excel add-in.
• For more information, see SAP Note 2394311 (Version information for the IBP Excel add-in) at
https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2394311.
• SAP Integrated Business Planning and the IBP Excel add-in are released with certain known restrictions in functionality. For more
information, see the Release Restriction Note (SAP Note 2647423) at https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2647423.
• User must have the IBP Excel add-in installed (or have access to it via Citrix).
• User must have at least basic authorization to view data in the IBP Excel add-in.
• Customers can download the IBP Excel add-in in the software download area of the SAP Support
Portal at https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/softwarecenter. Please use the search term SAP IBP
Excel Add-On.
• The download requires an s-user with the necessary authorization. If the download is not possible,
please contact your company’s s-user administrator.
• If SAP delivers a fix for the Excel add-in between two SAP IBP releases (based on a customer ticket,
for example), a new add-in version is generated that needs to be installed on customer side.
Your IT department usually provides you with the installation file, or even installation package, and
pushes these installations to your local PC. For more information, see:
• Silent installation/deinstallation
SAP Note 2135948 at https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2135948
• How to distribute the add-in to user’s notebooks
SAP Note 2114654 at https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2114654
• Add-in with proxy server
SAP Note 2092187 at https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2092187
• The IBP Excel add-in can run on a MacBook. Prerequisite is that a virtual machine (VM) is set-
up and that a Windows and Office environment is installed on the VM. Then you can install the
IBP Excel add-in on that VM as usual.
• Currently, you cannot install the IBP Excel add-in on a smartphone or tablet.
It is possible to log on to multiple SAP IBP systems and planning areas in parallel. That can be useful, for example,
during implementation and testing phases.
Instead of opening a new Excel workbook, open a new Excel instance. The way to open a new instance depends on
the Microsoft Office version. If the following path does not work for you, please check the help on
https://support.microsoft.com.
1. Open your Microsoft Excel workbook (the first instance) as usual (and optionally log on to SAP IBP).
3. Keep pressing the Alt key until a pop up appears that asks you
if you want to open a new instance. Click Yes.
You now have two separate Microsoft Excel instances open and can log on to different SAP IBP planning areas with
each of them.
In case you are using a IBP Excel add-in version 2005 and later, you can also achieve the
same by double-clicking on the desktop item (in case you administrator has enabled the desktop
shortcut during installation).
When you select a connection in the IBP Excel add-in and log on to Sample error message:
that connection, all planning level attributes and their corresponding
values are downloaded to the IBP Excel add-in, and each of these
attributes is marked with a version number. The next time you log on
to the same connection and planning area, this version information is
compared with the current version on the server. If the versions do
not match, the data is downloaded again.
Usually, there is no need to clear the cache. However, if you think the
cache in the IBP Excel add-in is not accurate, you can clear it, which
forces all planning level attributes and their corresponding values to
be downloaded again. For example, if you know that an attribute
value, such as the description of a brand, has been changed in the
model configuration in the Web client, but the changed name does
not appear in the templates in the IBP Excel add-in, try clearing the
metadata cache.
Please note: Master data attributes that are marked as personal data
are not cached but are read on the fly from the SAP IBP backend.
Same if the number of attributes exceeds a threshold set in
configuration using the global configuration parameter
MAX_DIM_MEMBERS: The excess attributes are not cached and
only read on demand.
Plain SAP IBP planning view (no EPM formatting, no VBA code, …)
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Basic Settings
Creating a new planning view (1)
To open a predefined planning view (template or favorite) or create a planning view from scratch,
click New View in the SAP IBP ribbon. Then choose one of the following:
• From Template
• Without Template on Current Sheet, if you want to create a plain planning view from scratch.
1) Time settings
2) Planning level
3) Key figures
4) Layout (optional)
5) Filter
(can be either optional or mandatory, depending on your SAP IBP system settings)
Data in SAP IBP is stored at the base level of the respective key figure. The base level defines the type
of periods in which the data is stored, for example, weeks or days. When displaying the data, it is
automatically aggregated up to the requested time period. Example: if key figure data is stored in days
and your planning view displays months, then the days are aggregated to months.
Disaggregation
Aggregation
Your administrator can also define a more
complex aggregation and disaggregation
logic, dependent on the individual use case.
• Define the planning level on which you want to see the data
in the planning view.
Data in SAP IBP is stored at the base planning level of the respective
key figure, for example, the product ID or a combination of multiple Example: LOC | PROD | CUST | WEEKLY
attributes. LOC = location ID
The data in the database is stored in these attribute combinations. PROD = product ID
If key figures are calculated based on other key figures, the CUST = customer ID
aggregation works similarly.
When displaying the data, it is automatically aggregated up to the requested planning level.
Example: If key figure data is stored at the product ID level and the user displays the data at the brand level,
then the data stored for the product IDs is aggregated to the respective brands.
Example for Product Planning Levels Example for Location Planning Levels
Examples:
• Should the time periods be shown as
columns or rows?
• What should be the sequence of the
attributes and the key figures?
These filters can filter the data on a These filters can filter the key figure data on a planning
planning view based on attribute values. view based on key figure values. Examples:
You can either use the value help to see the Selection with value help:
available attribute values or copy and paste
them directly in the entry field (also a list of
values can be copied).
Example: Both attributes are part of the same simple master data type.
• Filter for attribute 1 (such as product ID) based on a cascading filter attribute 2 (such as brand
description) which is part of the same simple master data type as attribute 1.
Example: Both attributes, location and product, are part of the same compound master data type
location product.
• Filter for attribute 1 (location ID) is based on the cascading filter attribute (product ID) which is part
of the same compound master data type.
• Cascading filters use the value combinations loaded for the compound master data type (location
product).
Compound master data type location product: Cascading filter:
Both the time period and the range can be different from the time settings of the planning view.
Example: In the planning view you could have weekly buckets from week 8 to week 20 in 2018,
while the value-based filter criteria should be met in monthly buckets for the last 6 months.
As for the time settings, you can set a rolling horizon using Rolling, Fixed, From Rolls and To Rolls.
After that, you need to set the threshold values according to your needs and decide where the filter
criteria should be met: in at least one period (for example, month) of the selected time range (March –
August 2018 in the example), in all periods, or in the total column for this time range.
To removes any planning combinations where all key figure values are empty, or zero within the
defined time horizon, you set the value-based filter in the Planning View to All Selected Key
Figures.
This setting automatically switches the operators next to it, to Not Empty or Zero and In At Least
one Period.
In the filter drop-down menu, you can only see the filters that are based on key figures that are included in your
planning view.
Please note that value-based filters cannot be shared with other users or saved as a planning filter.
If you want to remove the value-based filter criteria from your planning view, you simply need to
switch to (None) in the filter drop-down menu. This will remove the value-based filter from your
planning view.
• A value-based filters cannot be shared with other users and is not visible to other users under
the name you had given it.
• Value-based filters are saved within templates, favorites and offline workbooks.
• When you share a template or a favorite with other users, they see the filter criteria only as an
Ad-Hoc Filter (that is, with a different neutral name).
• For value-based filters, there are no Template Admin options, such as Don’t copy, Copy as
suggestion or Copy as mandatory (which you have for the attribute-based filters).
We strongly suggest that you use formatting to increase the usability of the planning views.
Please note that it is mandatory to use IBP formatting rules if you want to use:
• Alerts in the planning view
• Fixing-enabled key figures
• Your Excel workbook can have multiple Copy the settings to an existing target worksheet from the
worksheets that contain different planning Edit Planning View screen:
views.
• You can either set up each worksheet from
scratch or copy the settings from an existing
worksheet.
• You can freely name and rename the
worksheets.
You can have multiple Excel workbooks open with multiple worksheets containing planning views.
The maximum number of workbooks that can be opened is defined by your system administrator
using the global configuration parameter PV_COUNT_MAX in the PLAN_VIEW parameter group.
• Reduce the PC’s memory utilization, which grows with the number of open workbooks and
transactions. The user should still be able to work in parallel with other applications.
The planning views in the IBP Excel add-in show data from the SAP IBP backend at the point in
time when the data was last requested or refreshed.
The data does not refresh automatically when data is changed in the database.
To request the latest data, the planning view needs to be refreshed. Refreshing:
• Can be triggered manually by the user by clicking on Refresh in the SAP IBP ribbon
You can define on-the-fly aggregates when defining the time settings for your planning view.
Example: define a planning view that always shows the details and then the sum of the last 6 months
You can define how the data is displayed, as periods, summed up to a total, or both.
Custom labels for total columns, such as, Year to Date or Rest of Year:
Note that a certain time bucket must not be included in different time intervals that use the same
period type.
Example: You cannot define two time intervals with monthly periods that both include the month January 2019, such as
October 2018 to January 2019 and January 2019 to March 2019. It needs to be, for example, October 2018 to
December 2018 and January 2019 to March 2019.
However, the same time range (January 2019) can be included in different time intervals that use
different period types, such as Monthly (month January 2019) and Weekly (week 1/2019 to 4/2019).
You can also define whether the start and end of a time interval, that is, the first and the last period of
the time interval, are fixed or rolling. These are your options:
• Rolling: Both the start and end period are rolling.
Example: The current month is January. For the time interval to be displayed, you have selected
January 2019 to March 2019 with monthly periods. When the current month changes to February
2019 as time is passing, also the time interval displayed rolls by a month and now shows data from
February 2019 to April 2019.
• Fixed: Both start and end period are fixed.
• From Rolls: Start period is rolling, end period fixed.
• To Rolls: Start period is fixed, end period is rolling.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
The determination of the value of the time-based total does not work for key figures which are
based on an L-code implementation or on a complex configuration and which have an aggregation
mode other than Sum, Max, Min, or Avg.
An example of a complex configuration is the determination of the key figure value for the last
period in a time period (for example, the last month of a quarter or the last month of a year), as
described in SAP Note 2286684.
Totals are calculated in the SAP IBP backend (not in Excel). Hence, when changing a value on the
planning view, the total will only be updated in the planning view after simulation or save.
You can do a reverse calculation from the total to the individual key figures.
Example below: The value of the total consensus demand without promotions has been changed to
80000. When you run Simulation (Basic), the system updates the numbers of the total consensus
demand key figures for Europe and USA accordingly.
Note that you can only change subtotals, but not the total for the highest attribute of the planning
level (grand total)
Example: You can change the subtotals at the level of customer region/product group, but not the
value at the next level, the grand total (sum of all customer regions).
The Strong Match and Light Match groups can be used to help find attribute and key figure
combinations that hold data and represent meaningful information within the defined planning area.
Based on your selections in the Time, Attribute or Key Figure tabs, the Strong Match and Light
Match groups are automatically updated.
Example:
You select month as the time period and the attributes Product
Group and Promotion ID. Moving to the Key Figures tab, you
can see the key figures listed in the Strong Match group, where
the base planning level is a complete match to the attributes
and time dimension selected.
In this example, the Promotion ID is only part of a few base
planning levels, so data for it can only be visualized for 3 key
figures in the Strong Match group.
The ones that have a partial coverage, are listed under the
Light Match group and the remaining items, that don’t match at
all are listed at the bottom.
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Creating a new planning view – attribute value (None)
Strong Match Group
The Strong Match group for attributes or key figures shows you which items (attributes, time
periods, key figures) would lead to a full coverage on the planning view, without showing any empty
or (None) labeled elements. This means that all selected attributes are part of the key figure
calculation and the other way around.
Please note, that empty or (None) labeled elements can still appear in case the attribute value itself
is empty, but the appearance is unlikely within this group.
Items listed in the Strong Match group will not show up in any other group.
The Light Match group for attributes or key figures shows you which items (attributes, time periods,
key figures) would lead to a partial coverage on the planning view. This means that at least one
selected attribute is part of the key figure calculation and the other way around.
Items listed in the Light Match group will not show up in any other group.
Templates Favorites
• A template administrator can share planning • Individual for the user
view templates with all users.
• Only visible for users with whom the user has
• A template administrator can maintain shared the favorites
defaults, filters, and more.
• The administrator cannot centrally restrict the
• The system administrator can restrict the access to the favorites to certain users.
access to certain templates for the users • Favorites have a separate lifecycle: Favorites
using authroizations.
that were created from a template do not get
automatically updated when the original
template gets
changed (the
formatting, for
example).
Once you have created a planning view, you can save it as a favorite or, if you have the necessary
authorization of a template administrator, also as a template.
For templates, choose Templates in the SAP For favorites, choose Favorites in the SAP IBP
IBP ribbon and then choose ribbon and then choose
• Add to create a new template • Add to create a new favorite
• Update to update an existing template • Update to update an existing favorite
• Delete to delete an existing template • Delete to delete an existing favorite
From the Templates drop-down When you create a new planning view from a
menu in the IBP Excel add-in ribbon template, you can select the template to open.
(usually visible for template The settings can then also be adjusted directly.
administrators only)
You can share your favorite planning views with other users or user groups.
2) In the SAP IBP ribbon, click Favorites and then click Share.
3) Then select the users and user groups and click OK.
You can opt out of favorites that another user has shared with you and that you don‘t want to see any
longer.
Folders can be created for: • Folders only exist when they have favorites
• Planning view favorites assigned. Folders that do not contain a favorite or
• Master data favorites template are removed.
• Planning view templates • Folders cannot be transported or shared with other
users.
To create a folder, create a planning The template folder structure is also Organize your folders and planning views
view and select Add or Update. available when creating or editing the by using drag and drop, sorting, creating
planning view. and deleting folders.
You can edit all settings of a planning view using the Edit View button in the SAP IBP ribbon.
The IBP Excel add-in offers powerful simulation capabilities that you can use to run what-if
simulations on the fly. During simulations, you can change data in the planning view, simulate what
effect your changes would have on other key figures, and even run planning operators such as
statistical forecasting in simulation mode to analyze the potential results - without changing the
actual planning data in the base planning version.
The simulated data is only visible for you and doesn’t have any impact on the data that is stored in
the SAP IBP backend. With that, other users are not affected.
However, if you come to the conclusion that your changes are valid, you can save the simulation so
that it becomes the actual planning.
• A simulation recalculates the planning view, only considering the changes that you have made in the
planning view.
• If you have changed a key figure value, you can simulate the effect on the dependent key figures using
Simulate (Basic). You can save the changes either as the new baseline plan to the SAP IBP database,
visible to all users, or save it as your private scenario. To discard your changes, you simply need to
refresh the planning view.
• If you have multiple planning views in one workbook, a simulation in one planning view is propagated
automatically to the other planning views in the same workbook. The same applies if you refresh the
data in one planning view to discard all changes; this discards the changes in all planning views of the
workbook.
• To see the impact of your changes on the plan, you can also run a planning operator, such as, supply
planning, inventory optimization, and statistical forecasting, in a simulation mode. Starting an operator
in simulation mode means that the system automatically starts Simulate (Basic) first in order to update
dependent key figures based on your changes before starting the operator itself.
• Note that there is no undo button for simulations. If you have run multiple simulations, you cannot undo
the last one, but need to refresh completely, thus losing all previous simulation results.
The consensus demand is calculated from the sales forecast quantity, the marketing forecast
quantity, and the demand planning quantity entered by the demand planner.
If you manually change the sales forecast
quantity for 3 consecutive periods and run
Simulate (Basic), the system automatically
updates the consensus demand.
Also totals and subtotals are getting updated.
Sales Forecast
50%
Marketing Demand Planner
Forecast Forecast
30% 20%
So the size of the key figure calculation plays a role for the
performance of interactive planning.
Example: Simulate the effect of different forecast models on the data, or simulate the effect of
increased or decreased sales on the statistical forecast.
The system automatically uses the planning level, the periodicity, and the filter criteria from the
planning view for the forecast model.
The available forecast models automatically appear in the Simulate drop-down menu.
Whether an operator is available in the simulation menu, depends on the configuration of the
operator, which is is done by your administrator: The Interactive Mode checkbox must be selected
in the operator profile and the planning operator must be assigned to the planning area.
In case a planning scope is defined for your planning area, the system would use the planning
scope that was set in the Edit Planning View header automatically for the operator simulation.
Example: Simulate the effect of changed input factors, such as a new demand plan, on the
inventory plan and holding costs.
Whether an operator is available in the simulation menu in the planning, depends on the
configuration of the operator that is done by your administrator. (The Interactive Mode checkbox
must be selected in the operator profile and the planning operator Imust be assigned to the
planning area.)
In case a planning scope is defined for your planning area, the system would use the planning
scope that was set in the Edit Planning View header automatically for the operator simulation.
Example: Simulate the effect of changed input factors such as new capacity constraints on the
supply plan.
Subnetworks (previously called planning units) are relevant but not mandatory for inventory
optimization and time-series based supply planning.
Show Messages
After a simulation run, you can access a detailed log of the last simulation run using the Show
Messages menu entry.
A simulation session always involves the entire Excel workbook, including all planning views
(worksheets) in the workbook. So if you change data in one planning view (on worksheet 1, for
example), then click Simulate (Basic) or start a planning operator in simulation mode, and then go
to another planning view (worksheet 2, for example), you see that associated data has been
updated with the simulation run.
Example:
In your Excel workbook, you have three planning views on three different worksheets. Planning
view 1 shows aggregated data and summarizes the results from the two other planning views.
Planning views 2 and 3 show data on a detailed level for different regions.
Go to planning Go to planning
Review and Review changed view 1 and view 3. The data
Simulate your
change data on data on planning review simulated on this view is
changes
planning view 2 view 2 results on not affected by
aggregated level the simulation.
You can run multiple consecutive simulations without saving the data in between. For example, you
can change data, run a simulation, review the results, change data again, simulate, and so on, until
you get the appropriate results and want to save the changes or discard them all by clicking
Refresh.
Example:
Review results Move to Review results
Change data
Simulate your of simulation in planning view of simulation
on planning
changes planning view 2 on different on planning
view 1
1 sheet view 2
Change data on
planning view 2 Review results of Move back to Review results
Simulate your
based on the simulation in planning view 1 and save your
changes
results from first planning view 2 on different sheet changes
simulation run
A simulation session is not affected by changes to the planning view settings. So you can use drill-
downs, or change the settings in the Edit Planning View menu without loosing the results of your
simulation. The system applies the changed settings to your planning view, but retains the
simulated results.
Example:
Change for example
Change data the planning level or
Simulate your Review results
in your add / remove key
changes of simulation figures via the Edit
planning view Planning View
Review results
Change data
of simulation in Review results
and simulate Save data
changed of simulation
again
planning view
• Versions are used to create “alternative realities” of the global company plan.
• The base version represents the base plan (operational plan) that is used within the company as the go-to plan.
• Additional can help determine what is the best path forward, without interfering with the base version.
• Versions are valid for and used by the whole company, or by departments of a company, and are visible to all end users who have the
necessary authorizations.
• Versions are created centrally in the SAP IBP model configuration and are an optional, but common part of an SAP IBP implementation.
• A version consists of a set of key figures that represent the particular plan. Different versions can have different key figure values. For
example, the sales forecast might be 100 in an upside version, only 50 in a downside version, and in the end, 70 in the base version.
• A version always consists of a sub-set of the available key figures that are included in the base version. They cannot include additional key
figures.
• Some key figures within a version are marked as version-specific and some as pure baseline key figures. Baseline key figures will always
show the data stored in the base version, while data in version-specific key figures can differ from version to version.
• A version can consist of version-specific master data (optional).
• In the planning view definition, select the versions you want to see in the planning view.
• Default is the Base Version.
• The version selection is valid for all sheets in the workbook.
If you have not made any changes yet to your planning view in the baseline scenario, you
can create an empty scenario which is defaulted to the baseline values.
Any change in baseline values will also be changed in the scenario, up to the point when you
start changing values in the scenario, which then decouples it from the baseline.
You can manually reset the scenario to the baseline in the Manage Scenarios window.
You can create a new scenario after you have made changes to your data on the planning view. Please note that
• you will need to simulate your changes using the Simulate (Basic) first before creating a new scenario if your planning
view contains more than one time level.
• the new scenario will automatically contain all your data changes if all changes were valid. In that case, it is not
necessary to first simulate these changes using the Simulate (Basic).
• invalid data changes cannot be detected in all cases by the Microsoft Excel front end as the data validation happens in
most cases when sending the data changes to the SAP IBP backend during a simulation with Simulate (Basic) or when
saving the changes. Invalid changes can occur, for example, if you changed data for a key figure or attribute value
without editability rights, or in cases where the fixing of a key figure value would lead to negative values during
disaggregation.
When creating a scenario based on a planning view that contains valid and invalid changes, the following behavior will
apply:
• If the invalid changes can be detected on the frontend, you are informed about the invalid changes before the new scenario is
created. All changes are discarded when the scenario is created.
• If the invalid changes cannot be detected by the frontend, you are not informed about the invalid changes before the new scenario
is created. All changes are discarded when the scenario is created.
Therefore it is recommended to first use the Simulate (Basic) before creating a new scenario based on changed values.
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Comparing scenarios
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Managing your scenarios
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Sharing a scenario with other users
You can easily share your scenarios with other users or user groups. In the Manage Scenarios
window, click on the icon and add the respective users or user groups.
Please be aware that these users then have full authorization to change, delete, and promote the
scenario.
These users can furthermore not opt out on the scenario as they can’t change their assignment
themselves. Only the user who has created the scenario has the rights to remove users again.
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Promoting a scenario
Promoting a scenario means that all changes that were done within the scenario are copied to the
versions and are now visible to all other users in the company.
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Explaining “A scenario is a subset of the data in the versions.”
When working directly in the planning view, you can use the drilldown capabilities to add additional
attributes and quickly drill down to a certain planning combination.
Choose from
the list of
additionally
available
Drill Down: master data
attributes for
further drill
Right-click a cell
down
within the data
range in the
planning view and
choose
Drill Down → By
Attribute…
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Ad-hoc drill down – overview (2)
As mentioned above, you can change your planning view settings or use the drill down within a
simulation session. Within a drill down, you are basically changing and lowering the planning level
of the planning view by adding attributes. Data changes can be simulated in every level and
reviewed in any other level.
Example:
Drill down to check
Review results of where the peak is
Change data in your Simulate your simulation. You see originating from.
planning view changes an unexpected data Simulation results are
peak in one area. disaggregated
automatically
*You can discard the changes by clicking Refresh. The simulation run ends with the refresh.
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Quick Edit View &
Quick Filter
Quick edit
When working in the planning view, you can also easily add and delete planning levels, shift them
around.
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Quick filter
The filter comes up with the filter criteria that was defined in the previous step, for example,
customer ID. When you select a specific ID, the data in the planning view is automatically filtered
accordingly.
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Fixing Key Figure Values
Business goal
Protect (lock) key figure values for certain periods on a detailed or aggregated level against
unintentional changes by automated processes or by disaggregation after the user has
simulated/saved changed data.
Reasons could be, for example, a special agreement with customers on a planned event.
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Fixing of cell values
500 ➔ 800
◑ Value change 500 ➔ 800
◑
200 200
100 100 100 100 100 100 ➔ 200 100 ➔ 200 100 ➔ 200 100 100
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Fixing of cell values - subhierarchies (1)
A planner wants to fix a key figure value for a certain period, including all its child values.
Partially fixed
500
Aggregated level,
500
◑
such as, product group
Fixed
200 200
Fix
Fixed Fixed
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
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Fixing of cell values - subhierarchies (2)
500 ➔ 800
◑ Value change 500 ➔ 800
◑
200 200
100 100 100 100 100 100 ➔ 200 100 ➔ 200 100 ➔ 200 100 100
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Fixing of cell values - subhierarchies (3)
Value changes that would cause negative values due to fixing are rejected.
500 ➔ 140
◑ Value change 500 ➔ 140
◑
200 200
100 100 100 100 100 100 ➔ -20 100 ➔ -20 100 ➔ -20 100 100
Negative values are not allowed for fixing-enabled key figures. Negative values that the user has entered are
rejected when the user is trying to save the data and a fixing exists for one of the elements in the disaggregation
path. The system does not create negative values during disaggregation due to fixed key figure values.
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How to fix values
Right
click
Right
click
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How to indicate fixed values
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How to unfix values manually
Right
click
Right
click
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About fixing
• Fixing is only possible for key figures that can be edited manually.
• Fixing must be activated per key figure in configuration by the administrator or configuration expert.
• Note that fixing a larger number of cells (all editable key figures in a certain horizon, for example) can have an impact on the
performance.
• You can only fix or unfix a key figure value completely. It is not possible to manually fix or unfix a partial quantity of a key figure
value. Partially fixed values can only be created by the system during aggregation.
• Only single or multiple key figure values can be fixed, not all values of a planning object. For example, you cannot fix all key
figure values for a certain product ID.
• Negative values are not allowed for fixing-enabled key figures. You cannot enter and save a negative value for a fixing-enabled
key figure. The system does not create negative values during disaggregation due to fixed key figure values.
• Empty cells/cells without values (also called NULL values) cannot be fixed.
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Error handling for invalid changes (1)
If you change a completely fixed cell manually and then simulate or save the data, this change is
rejected and a warning message is displayed. Example:
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Error handling for invalid changes (2)
For some planning operators that do copy key figure values, the fixing behavior is configurable. As
a system administrator or configuration expert, you need to make the following decisions,
depending on the business process:
• What should happen to a target key figure value after the source value has been copied when the source
key figure value is fixed? Should the target value also be fixed or not?
• How to handle a fixed target key figure value? Should it be protected against changes by the copy
process? Or should it be unfixed so that it can be overwritten with the value from the source?
Regardless: If a source value cannot be copied to the target value because the target value is fixed, a warning
needs to be added to the log.
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Fixing in the copy process - example
The fixed value in key figure 2 has been considered The fixed value in key figure 2 has been automatically
and remains unchanged. unfixed and changed by the Copy & Disaggregate
Key Figures operator.
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Fixing in SAP IBP operators
Consider
Process Fix Unfix
fixed values
Interactive disaggregation
Yes (Default) Yes Yes
(including versions and scenarios)
Forecast simulation Yes (Default) No No Consider fixed (target) key
Batch forecast run Yes (Default) No No figure values by default
Copy & Disaggregate Yes (Default) Yes Yes
Key Figures operator
Copy operator No No Yes
Copy Version Operator No No Yes
Data integration No No Yes
Mass unfixing No No Yes Unfix fixed (target) key
Inventory optimization No No Yes
figure values by default
Response management No No Yes
Lag-based snapshot No No Yes
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Planning Notes
Business reason and process example for planning notes
A planning note is a special comment that a planner can create for a key figure value to provide
additional business information, such as, the reason for changes, assumptions, and so on.
Planning notes are visible to other planners.
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Comparing planning notes and change history
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Creating a planning note (1)
It is not possible to create planning notes for cells containing time totals.
It is not possible to create planning notes for cells containing grand totals. It works for subtotals.
Plannig notes that were created for a subtotal are saved for the corresponding attribute value (the
product group Consumer Electronics, for example).
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Disaggregation of planning notes
Planning notes that are created on an aggregated level are - during saving - disaggregated to the base planning
level of the respective key figure. This means that the planning note is attached to each value of a key figure at
the base planning level.
Note that the this can result in massive amounts of data on the database. Restriction: Planning notes cannot be
saved when the disaggregation of the planning note to the base planning level of the key figure would result in
more than 20 million attribute/period level combinations on the database. This results in an error message.
Brand
disaggregation
Planning note
Error Message:
Product Group A Product Group B
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Displaying planning notes in the planning view (2)
Options:
• Don’t Show: Do not show planning notes.
• Show from This Planning Level Only: Show
only planning notes that were created on the
planning level of the planning view.
• Show from All Levels: Show planning notes from
all levels of aggregation and disaggregation.
Please be cautious: This setting can have quite a
performance impact while loading the data when
many planning notes exist in the system!
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Displaying planning notes in the planning view - example
The planning level of the planning view is product ID and region. Which planning notes are visible in the
planning view depends on the selected option:
• Don’t Show: No planning notes are visible.
• Show from this Planning Level Only: Planning note 2 is shown.
• Show from All Levels: All planning notes are shown.
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Multiple planning notes in a cell
To display the
additional planning
notes (and to edit or
delete a note),
right click on the cell,
then click Show
Planning Notes.
In the details view, further information about the planning
notes can be seen and the planning notes can be edited
or deleted.
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Planning note details: view, edit, delete, use filters
Click to edit the Click to delete the Planning view filter and
User who last planning note planning note visibility filter that was
changed the
active when the user
planning note
created the planning note
Planning notes use the Microsoft Excel comment features to visualize the planning notes in the
planning view, as follows:
Context menu: Review tab in Microsoft Excel menu:
• Editing and deleting planning notes using Microsoft
Excel comment features (in the Review tab) is not
supported and results in a warning message when
saving the data in the planning view. These changes are
not saved in the SAP IBP database and will be lost after
a refresh of the planning view.
• You can use the user setting Perform Planning Note
Validation to disable this check and no warning SAP IBP warning message:
message will be shown.
• Creating a Microsoft Excel native comment in an SAP
IBP planning view also leads to a warning message.
Such a comment is also not saved in the SAP IBP
database and will be lost after a refresh of the planning
view.
• Other Microsoft Excel comment features in the Review
tab, such as Previous, Next, Show/Hide Comments,
Show All Comments can be used.
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Copying cells with planning notes - example
You copy a cell or a range of cells that contain planning notes and pastes it to another cell or range.
The planning notes are now also shown in the target cell/range. This is the standard Microsoft
Excel behavior for copying comments. But the copied comments are not recognized as SAP IBP
planning notes and subsequently not saved in the SAP IBP database.
Copy
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Using planning notes with scenarios and simulations
You can use planning notes also when working with simulations and scenarios. Even your draft
planning notes that you have not saved yet stay visible when running simulations, performing drill-
downs, creating scenarios, and so on.
*You can discard the changes by clicking Refresh. This ends the simulation run.
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Mass deletion of planning notes (application job)
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Copying planning notes with planning operators
You can use planning operators, such as, Version Copy, Copy, and Copy & Disaggregate Key
Figures, to copy data from a source to a target version, key figure, or planning area.
The operators Copy and Copy & Disaggregate Key Figures don’t copy planning notes to the target
version, key figure, or planning area.
As of SAP IBP release 1902, the Version Copy operator can copy planning notes.
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Adding Own Key Figures
(Local Members)
Local formulas and calculations on top of SAP IBP data
• Users can quickly add their own MS Excel calculations and formulas on top of data from SAP
IBP.
• Data is not saved on the database, but calculated locally when you open the planning view.
Therefore, please be aware that applying Excel formulas and calculations in SAP IBP planning
views can have an impact on the performance.
• Local formulas are calculated by the Microsoft Excel frontend and not by the SAP IBP backend.
A vast amount of calculations (because the formulas are complex or the planning view is large)
can have an impact on performance. You should check case by case whether a local key figure
really makes sense or whether it is better to use standard functionality (such as, totals and
subtotals) or calculated key figures in the in the SAP IBP backend.
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Example for local key figures in rows
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Example for local key figures in columns
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Prerequisites for creating a local key figure
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Creating a local key figure (1)
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Creating a local key figure (2)
4. Add the calculation (formula) in the first cell. You can use simple calculations but also more complex
Microsoft Excel formulas (such as, VLOOKUP)
5. Press Enter.
6. The system automatically applies the formula to the whole row.
You can change the calculation at any time and in any cell of the local key figure. The system
automatically applies the changes to all cells of the local key figure and all lines and columns associated
with it.
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Creating a local key figure (3)
7) The system automatically adds new lines/columns at the same position for all attribute/time
combinations.
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Creating a local key figure (4)
A local key figure created with the local member recognition is linked to:
• The SAP IBP objects that it is calculated from, for example, specific key figures or time periods
That’s why the formulas remain consistent when changing the planning view, for example, by
changing the order of the attributes or key figures or by adding and removing key figures. When
removing key figures, however, please make sure that no local calculation is associated with them
as the local calculation would otherwise disappear from the planning view.
Example: When using local key figure, the yellow formula on the left is translated to the statement
on the right.
=EPMMEMBER([KEY_FIGURES].[].[CONSEN
SUSDEMAND])+EPMMEMBER([KEY_FIGURE
S].[].[DEMANDPLANNINGQTY]))/2
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Creating a local key figure – Use Position in Axis
In certain cases, you might not want to have a direct linkage between the local key figure and the
SAP IBP objects used to calculate it but instead want the local key figure to remember a certain
position in the planning view. In this case, you select the Use Position in Axis in the Options.
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Using Use Position in Axis – example (1)
The Position in Axis setting is useful, for example, when you use a local key figure that sums up the
next 3 months. The time periods are set to Rolling.
In January 2019, the planning view and the local key figure calculation look like this:
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Using Use Position in Axis – example (2)
In February 2019, the time periods displayed in the planning view have rolled by one month.
Without Position in Axis selected, the calculation and the planning view look like this:
The local key figure moved to the left
by one column as it is linked to the
March time bucket. It is now summing
up February and March 2019 only and
also includes the column J with the key
figure description.
With Position in Axis selected, the calculation and the planning view look like this:
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Using Use Position in Axis – internal representation of formulas
With Use Position in Axis selected, the yellow formula on the left is internally translated to the
statement on the right.
=(EPMPOSITION(1)+EPMPOSITION(2))/2
=SUM(EPMPOSITION(1),
EPMPOSITION(2), EPMPOSITION(3))/3
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Local key figures – changing settings for the planning view
If you use your own local key figures, you can still change the planning view definition. You can, for
example, change the sequence of the key figures or add or remove attributes. The calculations for
the local key figures (formulas) are automatically kept consistent by the system.
You can usually change, add, or delete time levels, attributes, and key figures as long as the
formula calculation is kept consistent.
Example: After you have changed the sequence of the key figures, the formula for the local key
figure My local key figure still refers to the same input key figures – provided the Position in Axis
checkbox is not selected.
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Local key figures – changing the layout of the planning view
Even with local key figures included, you can change the layout of the planning view in the Edit Planning
View window anytime. However, always make sure that Key Figure stays the last entry to be displayed.
Example: When you add Scenario, it will automatically be placed after Key Figure. If you use local key
figures, you need to manually adjust the order and move Key Figure to the bottom to still see the local
calculations in your planning view.
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Local key figures – complex calculations across different columns
Local key figures are an easy-to-use feature, designed for simple, on-the-fly
calculations. But in some cases, more complex calculations are required. One
example is when formulas are spread across different columns. This cannot be
achieved with the local member recognition, but requires a power user with
access to the Report Editor.
Example: When you use local member recognition and enter the formula
=K7+L7 in the K8 cell, the formula gets automatically changed to =K7+K7. In
cases like this, you need to ask a power user to set up the calculations with
the report editor.
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Local key figures - keeping formula on data
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Deleting a local key figure
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Local members – expert set-up
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How to Save Key Figure Data on a
Planning View
Introduction
You can change and save key figure values in the planning view.
The changes are saved to the database and directly visible to all other users in SAP IBP.
Planning view
System checks Data is saved
Change key Click Save is refreshed
your on the
figure data Data with the latest
permissions database
data
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Saving data
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Saving data - prerequisites
• A key figure value can only be changed if the key figure has been configured to be editable by
your administrator. Depending on the configuration, changes are allowed for past periods,
current/future periods, or all periods.
• You must have sufficient write permissions for the key figure and the selected attribute
combinations.
• The user is logged on to the SAP IBP backend via the IBP Excel add-in.
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Editable time buckets
• All Editable
Key figure values can be changed in past, current and
future time buckets. If you change a value in a blocked
time bucket, you get a warning
• Editable in the Current and Future when clicking Save Data:
Key figure values can be changed in the current and
future time buckets only.
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Editable in the past with different time aggregation levels
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Editable in the current and future with different time aggregation levels
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Invalid changes
If a change is invalid, for example because the keyfigure is not editable in a bucket or the value is
fixed, the user gets a notification when clicking Save Data. Examples:
When clicking Yes, the valid changes are saved to the database and the invalid changes are
discarded.
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“Last one Wins” principle
• The data a user is working on is not locked. Other users can work on the same data in parallel.
• The last update made to a value is the one that is stored on the database.
Example:
User A saves data on an aggregated level User B saves data on a detailed level (product in this
(product group, monthly buckets) at 08:10:02. product group, weekly buckets) at 08:10:00.
am
→ The changes from user A will overwrite the changes from user B!
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Time disaggregation
When saving data for an aggregated time bucket, such as months, quarters, or years, the data is
automatically disaggregated down to the base level of the respective key figure (such as days) and
stored in these lowest buckets.
Example: Data is saved for the time bucket year 2015. The base level of the key figure is technical
weeks.
If the disaggregation rule Equal Distribution is set for the key figure, the data is equally distributed
across the technical weeks.
Disaggregation
Aggregation
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Planning level disaggregation
When saving data for an aggregated planning level, the data is automatically disaggregated down
to the base level of the respective key figure and stored in these lowest buckets.
Example:
Data is saved for the planning level brand/region. The base level for the key figure is location
ID/product ID/customer ID.
If the disaggregation rule Equal Distribution is set for a key figure, a key figure value entered for
brand/region is equally distributed across the product/location/customer combinations.
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Disaggregation mode examples: Equal distribution
At the aggregated level, you have increased the quantity from 50 to 100. The disaggregation
distributes the changed quantity equally at the lowest level.
Before After
Change quantity
Aggregated level: 50 100
Disaggregation
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Disaggregation mode examples: Proportional if aggregated value is not zero;
otherwise, equal distribution (1)
At the aggregated level, you have increased the quantity from 50 to 100. Since the initial
aggregated value was greater than 0 (50), the disaggregation distributes the changed quantity
proportionally to the initial lowest-level values.
Before After
Change quantity
Aggregated level: 50 100
Disaggregation
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Disaggregation mode examples: Proportional if aggregated value is not zero;
otherwise, equal distribution (2)
At the aggregated level, you have increased the quantity from 0 to 100. Since the initial aggregated
value was 0, the disaggregation distributes the quantity equally.
Before After
Change quantity
Aggregated level: 0 100
Disaggregation
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Disaggregation mode examples: Copy Value
At the aggregated level, you have increased the quantity from 50 to 100. No matter what the initial
aggregated value was, the disaggregation just copies the quantity to the values at the lowest level.
Before After
Change quantity
Aggregated level: 50 100
Disaggregation
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Disaggregation mode examples: Proportional if aggregated value is not zero;
otherwise copy value to (1)
At the aggregated level, you have increased the quantity from 50 to 100. Since the initial
aggregated value was greater than 0 (50), the disaggregation distributes the changed quantity
proportionally to the initial lowest-level values.
Before After
Change quantity
Aggregated level: 50 100
Disaggregation
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Disaggregation mode examples: Proportional if aggregated value is not zero;
otherwise copy value to (2)
At the aggregated level, you have increased the quantity from 0 to 100. Since the initial aggregated
value was 0, the disaggregation just copies the changed quantity to the lowest-level values.
Before After
Change quantity
Aggregated level: 0 100
Disaggregation
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Read and Write Permissions and
Rejection of Changes
Read and write permissions in SAP IBP - overview
Using permission filters, your administrator can limit your read and write permissions to certain data
in SAP IBP.
→ You can see data for customers in the region North America, but not for other regions.
→ You can see data for customers in the region North America, but you can only change key figure
values for customers in the country Canada and only for products for which you are responsible.
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Missing write permissions (1)
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Missing write permissions (2)
Opens a new
window with Closes the pop-up, no
details of the non- changes are sent to the
editable cells SAP IBP database
Highlights the cells for which Sends only the valid changes for which you
you have no permission to have the permission to the SAP IBP
change the values database
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Missing write permissions – resend changes
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Missing write permissions - highlighting non-editable cells
The 6 cells highlighted in yellow are not-editable for the user, according to the assigned permission
filter. The highlights are removed from the planning view only after saving the valid changes.
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Missing write permissions - details for rejected cells
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Missing permissions - continue work
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Missing permissions - jump to rejected cell in planning view
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Change History Views
Change history view - overview
You can review and analyze changes to the key figure data directly in the SAP IBP add-in for
Microsoft Excel. The change history view displays changes according to your selection. For
example, it shows changes made in a certain time period, by a specific user, or with a specific
reason code.
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Change history view - prerequisites in planning area configuration
To enable the tracking of the key figure changes in a planning area, the adminstrator needs to
select the Planning Area Enabled checkbox in the Change History section.
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Change history view - prerequisites in key figure configuration
In addition, the administrator needs to select the Change History Enabled checkbox for each key
figure that needs to be tracked. Key figures that are calculated from change-history-enabled key
figures are tracked automatically.
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Change history view - example
Caution! The administrator needs to keep the performance aspects in mind. An „accidental“ mass
tracking of key figures that are calculated from a change-history-enabled key figure can have a
negative impact on the performance.
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Change history view – settings
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Comparing effects view and original changes view
Two different change history views are available, which serve different
use cases.
The Effects of Changes on Planning View option (effects The Original Changes option (original changes view)
view) provides a summary of changes that happened to displays the changes exactly on the level where they have
the data that you select using the following criteria: been made. You use this view if you are interested in
identifying the origin of changes.
• The time range of the changes
For example, you come across changed key figures in your
• The attributes of your planning view, such as, product planning view. You want to find the reasons for the
ID, customer ID, or location ID (planning level) changes, which most likely lie on a different planning level.
The original changes view helps answering the following
• The key figures you are interested in questions: on which level have key figures been changed
originally, by whom, with which reason code?
• Time periodicity and time buckets
The original changes view is based on the time range of
Additionally, you can set filters according to your changes and the key figures you specify. Optionally, you
requirements. can set filters according to your requirements. The system
automatically detects the planning level and the time
periods where the changes were made.
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Effects view – settings (1)
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Effects view – settings (2)
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Effects view – settings (3)
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Effects view – settings (4)
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Effects view – settings (5)
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Effects view – results visualization (1)
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Effects view – results visualization (2)
• Header: shows the change IDs for which reason codes or comments are available. In addition,
the respective change date and time, user, reason code, and comment are listed.
• Results Comparison: lists the detailed change history of the data, grouped by your selected
attributes, the change ID, the type of the value (dependent on your settings), and the key figures.
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Effects view – results visualization (3)
• EPM formatting sheets can be used, for example, for formatting purposes and to increase the
usability.
• You can enhance, for example, the appearance of the change history views with VBA code.
However, the size of the change history header (number of rows) is determined by the number of
relevant change IDs. The rows are deleted completely at refresh and then created again,
depending on the required number of rows. Therefore, all changes to the header area, such
as formatting or charts, get lost.
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Original changes view
The Original Changes option (original changes view) shows the manual changes that
were made for a specific key figure during a defined time range or for a specific change
ID (which is automatically generated when you save data).
• You don’t need to define a planning level or time settings, because the system
automatically detects the planning level and time periods.
• You only select the relevant key figures.
• The system then shows the following data:
− Relevant settings (planning level, filter, conversions)
that were used at the time when the change was
made
− Dates and time when the changes were made
− Reason codes and comments
− Key figure value before and after the change
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Original changes view – changes on a single planning level
Before saving, a user changes multiple key figure values on the same planning level. When saving, the
changes get assigned one change ID.
Example: User ABC changed values for two brands These changes got captured with the same change
ID 140685/1. That the changes happened on the same planning level is indicated by “/1”.
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Original changes view – changes on multiple planning levels
Before saving, the user changes key figure values on different planning levels. When saving, the
changes made at different planning levels get assigned different change IDs, one for each planning
level. Example:
• First the user ABC changes values at the level of Brand ID, Customer Desc., and Location Region,
and then uses Simulate (Basic).
• Then the user ABC changes the planning level (by adding Product ID) and changes data at this
planning level, before clicking Save.
The changes get assigned the change IDs 140690/1 and 140690/2. “/1” and “/2” indicate the two
different planning levels.
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Navigating from the planning view to the original changes view
1. Select an area in the planning view for which you want to see the change history.
2. Right-click the area to call the context menu and choose Show Change History.
3. The change history pop-up opens.
4. Select the time range for which you want to see the changes. All other settings are prefilled according to
your selection in the planning view (see next slide) but you can still adjust the settings.
5. You will only see the change history if the change history is enabled for that key figure.
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Navigating from the planning view to the original changes view – filter
settings
In some cases, you see more attribute combinations in the change history view than you selected in the planning view.
Example: You select a range of cells that includes the following location products:
The filter criteria for the change history get automatically prefilled with the following data:
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Navigating from the effects view to the original changes view
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Working Offline with Planning Views
Working offline with SAP IBP planning views - overview
You can work offline with the SAP IBP planning views, and later save your data changes to the SAP
IBP database.
To do so, you can simply save the Microsoft Excel workbook to your local PC or share drive and
edit the key figure values. When you are done, you can open the workbook, logon to SAP IBP, and
save the data to the SAP IBP database.
Advantages
• You can send the offline file to your customers or suppliers so that they can review and update
the information.
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Working offline with SAP IBP planning views - details
• You are working with the local data. As long as you are working offline, you cannot get the latest data from the
SAP IBP database. (Refresh is only available online).
• Same as for working online: If a colleague is changing the same data in the SAP IBP backend while you are
working on it offline, you will not be informed about these changes. When logging on again and saving the
changes you made while working offline, you will overwrite the colleagues data (last one wins!).
• You must not change the master data attributes (such as names) in the offline version, as the SAP IBP system
checks against these when saving and would not recognize them anymore.
• If the master data attributes you are using in your planning view are changed in the SAP IBP backend while you
are working offline (for example, a product is renamed and you have the attribute product name with that product
as part of your planning view), the system will reject all of your changes when you try to save.
• It is not recommended to perform mass changes to the planning view and save these at once, due to
performance reasons.
• You cannot fix values or create planning notes while you are working offline. However, draft planning notes and
fixing indicators that you have created but not saved before you logged off will not be lost and you can save them
also later on when logged on again.
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Sharing IBP Planning Views with non-SAP
IBP Users
Offline Mode for IBP Planning Views
With the Offline Mode, you can easily share your IBP Planning Views with
users who do not have the IBP Excel add-in installed.
These users can open and work with the planning views (e.g. update key
figure values) as a normal Excel Workbook file, send it back to you as an
Excel Workbook and you can then set it to online mode again and upload
their changes to the IBP backend system.
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Offline Mode for IBP Planning Views
Convert IBP Formulas
By clicking on “Go Offline” in the “Data Input” group of the IBP ribbon, your current workbook including all
sheets is converted to a Microsoft Excel Workbook that does not contain the IBP references and formulas any
more so that it can be understood by Microsoft Excel installations that don’t have the IBP Excel add-in
installed.
Example:
This online IBP formula can only be understood by Microsoft Excel installations that also have the IBP Excel
add-in installed.
IBP formulas and references in a converted planning view (offline mode):
This offline formula can be understood by all Microsoft Excel installations, even without the IBP Excel add-in
installed.
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Offline Mode for IBP Planning Views
Sheet Protection
By clicking on “Go Offline” in the “Data Input” group of the IBP ribbon, your current workbook including all
sheets is furthermore protected against changes that would destroy its structure and later on make it
impossible to set it to “online mode” again and save the changes.
Only the data input area can be used in the offline mode. When the user clicks in any other area (highlighted in
red in the screenshot), a warning comes up and his action is blocked. He cannot for example change the
name of a key figure or an attribute value or remove rows from the sheet.
Please note that the formatting sheet is not protected against changes.
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Offline Mode for IBP Planning Views
Go Online
After you have received the file back and want to upload any data changes to the IBP
backend system, you can open the Excel Workbook, logon to IBP which
automatically sets the workbook in online mode again.
If you are already logged on to IBP when opening the offline workbook, click on “Go
Online” in the IBP ribbon.
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Offline Mode for IBP Planning Views
Using the offline mode in mixed workbooks with IBP and EPM sheet types
Only sheets with worksheet type IBP will be set to offline mode when using the Go Offline feature
on the IBP ribbon.
When you are using Microsoft Excel Workbooks that contain a mixture of sheets with sheet types
IBP and EPM and want also the EPM sheets to get offline, you have to also click on “Offline Mode”
on the EPM ribbon. Otherwise these sheets would stay online.
Same behavior applies when you want the workbook to go Online again.
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Application Jobs
Application jobs in SAP IBP
Planning algorithms and other tasks can be run as background jobs in SAP IBP.
Usually, these background jobs are scheduled by a central team (administrators or configuration experts), but there
are also uses cases where planners would rerun or schedule them manually in the IBP Excel add-in.
Example: The demand planning is done every month. At the beginning of the month, the statistical forecasting jobs
are run automatically. After that, the sales and marketing colleagues add their intel to the forecast.
Background jobs can perform different planning tasks. Some are used more for housekeeping purposes. Examples:
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Application jobs on the Web UI and in the IBP Excel add-in
Application Jobs on Web UI Application Jobs in IBP Excel add-in
• Advanced scheduling options • Quick access for planners to run application jobs
• Definition of job chains and templates directly from the Excel add-in
• More detailed parameter settings for some • Note that not all application jobs can be run from
operators Excel. Some are only available on the Web UI.
• Log overview • Basic job scheduling options
• Saved planning filters only • Business logs with filtering
• Use of job chains and templates that were set up
Recommendation: on the Web UI
Use this area to set up job schedules. • Basic parameter settings for some planning
operators
• You cannot define detailed settings and
configuration of planning operators in the IBP
Excel add-in. This can only be done on the Web
UI.
• Ad-hoc filters to run and schedule jobs
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Run operators as application jobs in IBP Excel add-in - prerequisites
Your administrator can also define application job templates in the SAP IBP backend and make
them available in the IBP Excel add-in. These templates can consist of different steps and
operators (job chains, for example) and can also contain operators that you can normally not start
directly from the IBP Excel add-in, such as, operators for order-based planning, data integration via
CPI-DS, and more.
However, you cannot freely define any settings (such as, scenarios or horizons) for these templates
but have to reuse the settings that the administrator made when setting up the template.
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Starting an application job
You can start an application job by selecting Run in the respective drop-down menu in the
Advanced area.
Depending on the application job, you first select the planning operator that you want to run and
then set different parameters. Some examples:
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Subnetwork - overview
A subnetwork (previously also called planning units) is a subsection of the overall supply chain
network for which a planner is responsible or that the planner wants to plan in a separate planning
run (for example, all location products in a particular region or all location products in a particular
product group).
Similar to the master data model for the entire supply chain network, a subnetwork consists of
nodes (that is, location products) and arcs (which are used to model the transport links between the
location products). You define the subnetwork to which a location product belongs in the location
product master data. You can define subnetworks for product groups or regions, or for any other
property of locations, products, or location products.
When you start a planning session, you select one or more subnetworks that are to be taken into
account by the planning algorithm. This defines the set of location products that are to be planned.
Subnetworks are relevant (but not mandatory) for inventory optimization and time-series based
supply planning operators.
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Subnetworks in the IBP Excel add-in Run S&OP operator as an application job:
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Running simulations for long-running operators as application jobs in a
scenario - overview
After you have changed key figure values in the planning view, you can start planning operators in
simulation mode to see the impact of your changes on the plan, without interfering with the
productive data. Note that some planning operators, such as, the operator for multi-stage
inventory optimization or the optimizer for time-series-based supply planning replan the entire
network.
Such a huge planning scope run in simulation mode can result in a long runtime.
To avoid this, you can run the application jobs in a scenario instead. With that, you still will not
interfere with the productive data, but the application job is running in the background and does not
hinder you from working.
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Running simulations for long-running operators as application jobs in a
scenario – how-to
2) Create a scenario.
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Explanation of S&OP optimizer results
You can select the issue types for which you want
to have explanations (for example, why demands
were not met or inventory targets were missed).
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Filter criteria
You can set filter criteria for most planning operators. It is highly recommended that you use this
function to limit the amount of data that is copied, purged, or planned.
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Application job status
• All jobs for the specified planning area that were run or are
scheduled are listed. Older past jobs are removed after a
reasonable time period.
• The status Finished means the job finished successfully. The
status Error means that an error occurred and the job did not
run successfully.
• To see the log, click on Finished or Error in the Status column.
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Job log
Depending on the planning operator, a simple log or a more advanced business log is available that
you can analyze.
Simple Log:
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Business logging
Business logging provides more detailed logs on the planning object level, such as, location
product. These logs are created when running S&OP operators (operators for time-series-based
supply planning) or the operators for statistical forecasting.
The new logging structure also allows you to more easily filter for specific planning objects or
information within the job logs.
For example, you can prefilter the log by attributes (see next slides).
And later on, in the log itself, further filters for the attributes are available:
• Severity of the message
• Message text
• Date and time
• Forecast model and step (statistical forecasting only)
• Planning period (S&OP operator only)
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Business logging - example
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Business logging for statistical forecasting
For statistical forecasting logs, you can filter using the same attributes you selected as planning
level attributes within your job definition.
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Business logging for S&OP operators
For logs for S&OP operators (operators for time-series based supply planning), you can filter by the
default attributes that are used within the S&OP operator jobs.
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Scheduling an application job
To schedule a job, choose Schedule from the respective planning operator’s drop down menu. Adjust all
settings and parameters, set a filter, and use the Recurrence tab to define the schedule. Provide a job name
and click Add. The job is automatically scheduled and will show up in the Status window of the planning
operator.
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Master Data Maintenance
Making changes to the master data in the IBP Excel add-in
• The basic assumption for SAP IBP is that master data records are
imported from a leading system on a regular basis, using standard
data integration (CPI-DS). Examples of leading systems include systems for master data
management, BW systems, ERP systems, such as SAP ERP or SAP S/4HANA.
• However, there might be reasons and use cases where the master data in SAP IBP can differ
from the data in the leading systems, for example:
− A new product is introduced and needs to be planned before the product record is set up in the ERP
system.
− There are master data attributes defined in SAP IBP that don’t exist in the leading system, for example
ABC codes, because they are only required for planning purposes.
• Therefore, users who have sufficient authorizations can create new master data records, and
change and delete existing records.
• The user needs to have write permissions set in the Attribute Permissions app on the WebUI
for the respective attributes.
• Note that this feature is not intended for mass upload and change of master data records.
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Single Master Data Maintenance
Managing single master data records
• You can access a single master data record, such as, a product, including all of its master data attributes.
• You can view , copy , and edit the master data attributes for a single master data record.
• You can delete the whole master data record.
• You can create a new master data record and the
associated attributes.
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Example: Attribute Permissions (Write Access) in the Single Master Data
View (1)
Example: You don’t have write access for the attribute Customer ID
If Customer ID is a key field and you select the master data type Customer, the Create New
Record, Copy Record, and Delete Record buttons aren't shown. You can still edit all attributes
related to that master data type for existing master data records.
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Example: Attribute Permissions (Write Access) in the Single Master Data
View (2)
Example: You don’t have write access for the attribute Product Group
The attribute Product Group is not a key field in the master data type Product, so you can use the
View, Add, Edit, Copy, and Delete buttons in the Product master data records.
You can't edit the attribute Product Group in this case and that is why the font color in this field is
grey.
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Master Data Workbook
Mass maintenance using the master data workbook
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Creating a view in the master data workbook
When creating a master data workbook, you can define a common filter. The filter is used for all
worksheets that you create.
You can also let the system suggest worksheets that fit this filter: For each master data type that
contains the attributes specified in the filter, the system suggests one worksheet.
Example
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Using master data favorites
If you want to save the current workbook as a favorite for future easier accessibility, you can
create a master data favorite and share the workbook favorite with other users.
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Refreshing the master data workbook
Use Refresh to discard all unsaved changes to the master data workbook and to get the lastest
data from the SAP IBP database.
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Do’s and Don’ts for changing entries in the master data workbook
You can:
• Delete rows that will not change (does not delete records, improves performance)
• Cut a row or column and paste it elsewhere
• Add data rows directly after the downloaded rows
• Insert data rows between downloaded rows
• Change record keys (for example, product ID) to create a new record
Do not:
• Delete key columns or other mandatory columns
(for example, the Product ID column)
• Make changes to hidden row 1 or hidden column A
• Create gaps between rows or columns
• Modify large numbers of records while other users are logged in (for performance
reasons and to keep the data consistent for these users)
• Please note that master data workbooks cannot be used in offline mode. The SAP IBP
backend only recognizes a workbook as a master data workbook if you are logged on to
the SAP IBP backend. If you log off from the SAP IBP backend while a master data
workbook is open and then log on again, the SAP IBP backend will no longer recognize
it. Your previous unsaved changes in the master data workbook are lost.
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Example: creating new master data records for a new product
The new product PRODNEW is introduced and all relevant master data needs to be created for the
product. PRODNEW is very similar to the already existing product PRODOLD.
Possible steps to achieve this:
1. Enter the master data workbook.
2. Select Common Filter and define the filter Product = PRODOLD.
3. Click Suggest Sheets, delete worksheets you do not need, select the Edit checkbox on all
worksheets and click OK.
4. Worksheets are created for all master data types that contain the product as a key or attribute.
They get filled with the existing master data of product PRODOLD.
5. Go through the worksheets and replace PRODOLD with PRODNEW using the Find and
Replace Excel feature. Make manual changes as needed in order to define all master data
information for the new product.
6. Save the changes.
7. Master data is created for the new product.
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Saving changes
Example: You don’t have write access for the attribute Customer ID which is a key field.
You can select the master data type Customer and select Edit:
On the workbook itself, the Customer ID values are highlighted grey to indicate that they are not
editable.
Because the Customer ID is a key field, you will get an error message upon saving when you try to
create, copy or delete a master data record.
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Example: Attribute Permissions (Write Access) in the Master Data Workbook
(2)
Example: You don’t have write access for the attribute Product Group.
You can select the master data type Product and select Edit:
On the workbook itself, the Product Group values are highlighted grey.
If you edit the attribute values for Product Group and save these changes, the system disregards
the changes.
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Formatting sheets in the master data book using VBA hooks
The appearance of the master data worksheets can be changed by using custom VBA code. This is
usually implemented centrally by an administrator or IT department.
Examples:
- Change the sorting of the columns from the default (alphabetical) to a custom order
- Hide columns by default
- Change formatting, like background color or font color for certain attributes
- Apply custom functions such as VLOOKUP
- Apply a value help for certain attributes,
such as A, B, or C for the ABC Code
3. The 3 combinations can now be planned upon and are visible in the IBP Excel add-in.
4. Other combinations might theoretically be possible, for example a DC3, but might not be realistic.
Therefore no planning should be possible. Example: DC3 is in Europe and the new product is only sold to
US customers and is only distributed by US DCs.
Note that the new master data record must already exist before you can create planning objects.
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Creating planning objects
There are two places where you can create new planning objects after you have created a new
master data record for a new product:
New Planning Object in the Planning Objects with Key Figure
planning view Data in the master data workbook
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Creating planning objects in the planning view - overview
You can add new planning objects to a planning view. Note: Even if the planning view shows data
at an aggregated planning level (for example, a region containing many locations), the records are
created at the lowest level (for example, locations).
• Introduce a new product based on the planning objects of an existing product, directly in the IBP
Excel add-in without having to use data integration functions (such as, CPI-DS or the Data
Integration app on the Web UI.
Please note: This function does not replace the data integration functions that are normally used in
SAP IBP (such as, CPI-DS). We recommend that you use it to create and edit smaller numbers of
planning objects and only from a low disaggregation level (such as, product ID).
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Creating planning objects in the planning view (1)
1) Open a planning view that has the key figures and is in the planning level for which you want to create new
planning objects.
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Creating planning objects in the planning view (2)
3) In the New Planning Object window, select the master data records for which you want to create the
planning objects. The attributes that are available in the New Planning Objects window are determined by
the attributes that you selected as the planning level for your planning view.
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Creating planning objects in the planning view (3)
4) Click Add. Please note that the system first simulates the new planning objects and shows the simulation results
in the planning view.
5) Review the planning objects to verify the data is correct. Then click Save Data.
Please note that the new planning objects will only be displayed in planning views if key figure values are associated
to them. So if you want to immediately use the planning objects in a planning view, please enter key figure values
before saving. Otherwise, the planning objects will not be displayed in the planning view.
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Recommendations for creating new planning objects
A mass creation of planning objects on a high level is not recommended, as the planning object
records are created at the base level of the key figures (for example, product-location-customer-
days).
Example: You create planning objects on a high level such as brand = SHOES and the key figure
base level is product-location-customer-days. In that case, the system creates planning objects for
all available product-location-customer combinations (where the respective attribute brand =
SHOES), with all locations, and all customers, and all days.
This may result in many new planning objects that are logically wrong because the combination
product New Shoe US / location Rome, Italy / customer Garibaldi (Italy) is never planned since the
new product is only sold in the US market.
Therefore, please create planning objects on the lowest level possible, OR use the SAP
recommended way using Planning Objects with Key Figure Data in the master data
workbook.
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Creating planning objects with key figure data in the master data workbook
(1)
In the master data workbook, you can create, view, and edit planning objects and stored key figure data for a
selected planning level.
This is the recommended way to create planning objects manually in the IBP Excel add-in:
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Creating planning objects with key figure data in the master data workbook
(2)
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Creating planning objects with key figure data in the master data workbook
(3)
8) The view shows all available planning objects for the selection.
11) The planning objects are created in the SAP IBP backend. Depending on the data volume, this
task might take some time.
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Creating planning objects with key figure data in the master data workbook
(4)
8) When finished, the system offers a summary of the changes. If, for example, data changes
have been rejected, you can download the report and analyze it.
9) The planning view does not refresh automatically after you saved the changes. To refresh the
screen, click Refresh.
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Creating planning objects with key figure data – example (1)
• To create a new planning object, you can also copy and paste an existing entry (the entire row,
for example) to a new row.
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Creating planning objects with key figure data – example (3)
You can also use the Planning Objects with Key Figure Data view to overwrite the key figure values
for the individual combinations.
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Alert Key Figures and Dashboard
Alert key figures in the planning view
In configuration, the administrator can define alert key figures. Alert key figures can make the user
aware of any data that hits a predefined threshold. For example, the capacity utilization exceeds
95%. Alerts can be displayed in the alerts dashboard of the planning view.
If alert key figures have been configured for the
planning area, the Alerts tab is available when
you create and edit a planning view.
Note:
• If you share a planning view favorite that
contains alerts, the recipients don’t see the
alerts in the alert dashboard.
• Alert key figures do not work with the sheet
option Remove Empty and Zero Values.
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Alert dashboard and planning view favorites - example
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Alert dashboard
1) The planning view which contains the alert key figure definition has been saved as a favorite
planning view.
2) The Name in Alert Dashboard (Favorite Views Only) field has been filled.
Please note that the alerts in the alert dashboard are constantly recalculated by the system. This
can have an impact on the performance.
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S&OP Task Management
S&OP task management
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S&OP process management
The S&OP processes and tasks that are visible in the Excel add-in are defined and managed using
the Manage Processes SAP Fiori app.
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S&OP task window in the IBP Excel add-in
The Processes and Tasks Dashboard window is a separate window and not a pop-up. It can
therefore be arranged within a split window next to the Excel window with the planning view on the
same screen (Windows functionality as of Windows 10).
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Navigation to Web User Interface (UI)
Navigation to Web user interface
You can navigate from the Excel add-in to specific SAP Fiori apps on the SAP Fiori launchpad
(Web Client).
• Collaboration opens the Collaboration SAP Fiori app.
• Home opens the SAP Fiori launchpad.
• Promotions opens the Analyze Promotions SAP Fiori app.
Please note that Microsoft Internet Explorer must be installed on your local PC for the navigation.
However, other browsers can be installed and be defined as the default browser, as well.
For more information, see the SAP Note 2454058 (Collaboration and Home functionality in SAP IBP
Excel Addon) at https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2454058.
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Help and Additional Information
Help
The About area of the IBP Excel add-in provides help and additional information.
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Settings
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Settings – general settings
• Language: You can change the language for the Excel add-in. All Excel add-in controls are
displayed in the selected language.
• Default Display Time: You can decide in which default time zone the dates and times are
shown (in the planning operator logs, for example).
• File Path for Workbooks: When you open a template or favorite planning view, the workbook
is downloaded from the SAP IBP backend and copied to a certain share. From there, it is
opened on your PC. This file path determines the storage location. For performance
considerations, it is recommended that you store the workbook in a folder on your local PC
instead of a network share.
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Settings – default values
In the settings, you can set various default values, for example, the default currency and unit of
measure. These default values help you to save time when working with planning views.
You can set fixed values or define that the value last used is applied. You can also overwrite these
values with your user-specific ones in the template planning views.
It depends on the configuration of your planning area whether you see the default value fields. If, for
example, no key figure is planning-note-enabled, then the Display Planning Notes field is not
visible. Same for Jam groups or units of measure.
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Settings – auto-sizing planning notes
With or without using the additional check, invalid changes to the planning note will not be saved. But with the
additional validation check switched on, the system will provide you with information in a warning message.
So you have a better chance to see that the changes you made to the planning note were invalid and will not
be saved.
Please note that the additional validation check can have a negative impact on the performance. It can be
skipped for users who are familiar with the restriction to not use any Microsoft Excel native comments
functionality with SAP IBP planning notes.
As a default, the validation is switched on.
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Settings – display options (1)
Depending on how many planning operators are assigned to your planning area, the list in the
Application Jobs group in the IBP Excel add-in ribbon can get rather long. In the Display Operator
Types One by One field, you can enter how many planning operators or application jobs are listed.
If more than 6 application jobs are assigned to your planning area, no application jobs are
displayed (same as the Never option).
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Settings – display options (2)
• Expand Cascading Filter: Defines if the Cascading Filter drop-down menu (for example, on the
Filter tab of the planning view definition) should be automatically expanded.
• Apply Planning Note Limit (5000): Displaying a large amount of planning notes in a planning view
has a significant impact on performance due to additional data that need to be read, written, and
rendered as Microsoft Excel comments on the Microsoft Excel UI. If you select this checkbox, no
planning notes are displayed if a planning views contains more than 5000 planning notes.
• Show Planning Note Limit Instruction: If the number of planning notes exceeds the limit of 5000
and no planning notes are displayed for this reason (see setting above), you get informed using a
pop-up.
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Settings – display options (3)
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Settings – display options (4)
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Message history
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Check backend version
Hover the mouse over Help button to show the release of the SAP IBP backend, as well as the
Hotfix Collection. This comes in handy when you are asked, for example, by your administrator or
by support, which version of the IBP Excel add-in is installed on your PC.
Example: SAP Integrated Business Planning 2008.0 means that the backend is
SAP IBP release 2008, Hotfix Collection 0
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Logging Off and Troubleshooting
Disabled IBP Excel add-ins
Comparing disconnect and log off
After you have finished your work, you can disconnect or log off from the SAP IBP backend
system.
Disconnect Log off
If you choose this option, you get disconnected If you choose this option, you get logged off
from the SAP IBP system without loosing the from the system completely. The system
Remember me settings (depending on the “forgets” you, so that you need to enter the
identity provider). user and password next time when you log on
again.
Alternatively, you can close all Excel
workbooks by clicking Close (X) in the upper
right corner.
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Troubleshooting a disabled IBP Excel add-in
If Microsoft Excel “crashes” while working with the IBP Excel add-in, or was ended in an exceptional
way, for example, via task manager, it might start next time without the IBP Excel add-in that it
suspects to have caused the shutdown. In such a case, a pop-up like the following will appear
when you start Microsoft Excel:
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How to enable the IBP Excel add-in (1)
If the SAP IBP menu has disappeared from the Microsoft Excel ribbon, the likely reason might be
that it has been disabled.
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How to enable the IBP Excel add-in (2)
Try starting the IBP Excel add-in via the desktop shortcut or the Windows Programs
Please note that this option is only available if you administrator has enabled it.
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