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Learn the Basics of Analytic Application Design

Introduction

Analytic applications play a crucial role in data visualization and decision-making in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC). These applications allow users to navigate, interact with, and analyze data dynamically, going beyond simple dashboards and static reports.

What is an Analytic Application?

An analytic application is a data-driven, interactive tool that enables customized data visualization and advanced business logic through scripting. Unlike traditional dashboards, analytic applications allow users to:

• Explore data dynamically
• Apply complex filters and transformations
• Automate tasks with custom logic
• Personalize reports to match business needs

What is the Analytics Designer?

The Analytics Designer is a dedicated development environment within SAP Analytics Cloud used to build analytic applications. It provides:

• A visual editor to design application layouts
• Predefined widgets like tables, charts, and buttons
• Scripting capabilities using JavaScript
• Event-driven actions to enhance user interaction

Analytic Applications vs. Stories

SAP Analytics Cloud offers two main tools for data visualization:

• Stories: For business users needing quick, self-service reporting.
• Analytic Applications: For developers requiring advanced customization and automation.

How to Create an Analytic Application – A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Define Data Models: Choose an SAP Analytics Cloud model containing your data.
2. Design the Layout: Add tables, charts, and UI controls for a user-friendly interface.
3. Configure Widgets and Interactions: Set up filters, drilldowns, and navigation.
4. Implement Scripting Logic: Use JavaScript for custom behavior.
5. Test and Deploy: Validate logic and deploy for user access.

Scripting Example: Dynamic Year Filtering

// Example Script
var selectedYear = Dropdown_1.getSelectedValue(); 
Table_1.getDataSource().setFilter("YEAR", selectedYear);

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