SAC Year over Year comparison

Table of Contents (TOC)

1. Introduction: Enhancing Hierarchical Profit Center Reporting with Year-over-Year Comparison and Variance Analysis
2. Setting Up Year-over-Year Comparison
   • 2.1 Modifying Your Table Structure
   • 2.2 Creating Calculated Measures for Variances
     • 2.2.1 Absolute Variance Calculation
     • 2.2.2 Percentage Variance Calculation
   • 2.3 Adding Variance Columns to Your Table
   • 2.4 Configuring Column Display Settings
3. Alternative Approach Using Time Intelligence
   • 3.1 Creating Time Intelligence Variables
   • 3.2 Creating Restricted Measures
   • 3.3 Using Time-Intelligent Measures in Variance Calculations
4. Enhancing the Analysis with Input Controls
   • 4.1 Adding Time Period Selection Controls
   • 4.2 Configuring Dynamic Comparisons
5. Advanced Formatting for Variance Analysis
   • 5.1 Applying Conditional Formatting
   • 5.2 Adding Threshold Markers
6. Conclusion

Article: Adding Year-over-Year Comparison with Variance Analysis in SAP SAC

1. Introduction: Enhancing Hierarchical Profit Center Reporting with Year-over-Year Comparison and Variance Analysis

Building upon the foundation of hierarchical profit center reporting in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), this article delves into adding year-over-year comparison capabilities with robust variance analysis. By incorporating both absolute and percentage variances, you can gain deeper insights into financial performance trends and identify key areas of change.

2. Setting Up Year-over-Year Comparison

• 2.1 Modifying Your Table Structure:
  • Begin by adjusting your table structure to accommodate year-over-year comparisons.
  • In the "Builder" panel, ensure your GL accounts are in the "Rows" section.
  • In the "Columns" section, add the "Year" dimension to facilitate comparisons and nest the "Period" dimension for detailed views.
• 2.2 Creating Calculated Measures for Variances:
  • Create calculated measures to calculate absolute and percentage variances.
  • 2.2.1 Absolute Variance Calculation:
    • The absolute variance represents the numerical difference between the current year's and previous year's values.
    • Use the following formula:

      [Amount] - [Amount].previous(YEAR)  

  • 2.2.2 Percentage Variance Calculation:
    • The percentage variance indicates the relative change between years.
    • Use the following formula:

      ([Amount] - [Amount].previous(YEAR)) / [Amount].previous(YEAR) * 100  

• 2.3 Adding Variance Columns to Your Table:
  • In the "Builder" → "Columns" section, add the newly created variance measures.
  • Drag "Absolute Variance" and "Percentage Variance" to the columns.
  • Organize the columns for clarity: Previous Year (PY), Current Year (CY), Absolute Variance, Percentage Variance.
• 2.4 Configuring Column Display Settings:
  • Enhance the visual presentation of variance data.
  • For "Absolute Variance," apply number formatting with thousands separators and enable color coding based on positive/negative values.
  • For "Percentage Variance," set the number format to percentage with desired decimal places, enable color coding, and consider adding data bars.

3. Alternative Approach Using Time Intelligence

• 3.1 Creating Time Intelligence Variables:
  • If your model supports time intelligence, leverage variables for a more streamlined approach.
  • Create "Current Year" and "Previous Year" variables with appropriate filters.
• 3.2 Creating Restricted Measures:
  • Create restricted measures for the current and previous years using the time intelligence variables.
    • RESTRICT([Amount], [Current Year])
    • RESTRICT([Amount], [Previous Year])
• 3.3 Using Time-Intelligent Measures in Variance Calculations:
  • Use these restricted measures in your absolute and percentage variance calculations.

4. Enhancing the Analysis with Input Controls

• 4.1 Adding Time Period Selection Controls:
  • Provide users with the ability to filter data by year and period.
  • Add input controls for year and period selection, and link them to your table.
• 4.2 Configuring Dynamic Comparisons:
  • Create a "Comparison Type" input control to allow users to switch between year-over-year, period-over-period, and plan vs. actual comparisons.

5. Advanced Formatting for Variance Analysis

• 5.1 Applying Conditional Formatting:
  • Use conditional formatting to visually highlight variances.
  • Set positive variances to green and negative variances to red, or vice versa.
  • Add icons (arrows) for quick visual cues.
• 5.2 Adding Threshold Markers:
  • Highlight variances that exceed predefined thresholds.
  • Use color intensity to indicate the magnitude of variances.

6. Conclusion

By integrating year-over-year comparison and variance analysis, you can significantly enhance your SAP SAC reports. The combination of hierarchical profit center filtering and dynamic variance indicators provides a powerful tool for analyzing financial performance and driving informed decision-making.