Fiori vs AFO - excel based analysis for Fiori Embedded Analysis - a brief

While Fiori Embedded Analytics is designed for in-app analysis within S/4HANA, you can absolutely leverage Excel for a more familiar analysis experience with the help of Analysis for Office (AfO).

Think of AfO as a bridge between the live data in your S/4HANA system and the flexibility of Excel. Here's how it works:

1. Installation: You'll need to install the Analysis for Office add-in on your PC. It's a quick and straightforward process.
2. Data Access: AfO connects directly to your S/4HANA system, including the data powering your Fiori Embedded Analytics reports. This means you're working with real-time information.
3. Familiar Interface: You perform your analysis within the familiar Excel environment. AfO adds an "Analysis" tab with specific tools for interacting with S/4HANA data.
4. Key Figure Selection: You can easily search and select the key figures you need for your analysis. Excel even highlights the relevant options as you type.
5. Report Creation: Build reports and visualizations using Excel's features, including pivot tables, charts, and formulas.
6. Interactivity: AfO maintains a live connection to your S/4HANA data. This means you can refresh your Excel reports to see the latest information, just like in Fiori Embedded Analytics.

Here's why you might prefer using Excel with AfO:

• Comfort and Familiarity: If you're already proficient in Excel, AfO lets you leverage your existing skills for analyzing S/4HANA data.
• Advanced Functionality: Excel offers a wider range of data manipulation and analysis features compared to the built-in tools in Fiori Embedded Analytics.
• Offline Access: You can work with your S/4HANA data offline and refresh the connection when you're back online.

In essence, AfO provides a way to combine the strengths of both worlds: the real-time data and integration of Fiori Embedded Analytics with the flexibility and familiarity of Excel.

If you're comfortable working in Excel and need more advanced analytical capabilities than what's directly available in Fiori Embedded Analytics, using AfO is definitely worth considering.