This post covers some of the latest new features and enhancements in SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Digital Boardroom release 2018.03. Please note that the Analytics Cloud Help documentation is updated at the same time as the upgrade to this release, so the links here may not yet reflect what is described below until after the upgrade is complete.

Highlights of this release:

Planning

• Enhanced forecast layout

Data Integration

• Create freehand OData queries using the Query Builder

Predictive

• Insert dynamic text token in chart footer based on Smart Insights

Digital Boardroom 

• Reset topic option

Mobile

• Support for dimension input controls
• Disable mobile application password
• Improved viewing options for stories across multiple devices

Data Analysis, Stories, and Tables

• Improved lane reflow in responsive pages
• Dimension and data labels for scatterplot
• Axis labels for time members reflecting hierarchy level

Planning

Enhanced forecast layout

Looking to simplify the maintenance of your plan input templates? Gone are the days of having to manually update each template to reflect the new roll over between actuals and forecast period for blended and rolling forecasts. Now, you can use a combination of formula based input controls, and the ability to create and refer to centrally maintained attributes on the category/version dimension to allow you to change the cutover date from actuals to plan for all planning reports/templates.

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Data Integration

Create freehand OData queries using the Query Builder

Want increased power and flexibility when connecting to OData sources? In addition to the original “Build a Query” capabilities for OData, you now have the option of creating more tailored and powerful queries using the new “Freehand Query” capabilities.

In addition to all the functionality available within the standard query builder, the freehand query editor provides additional capabilities including:

• FunctionImport (execution of remote functions that reside at the data source)
• Prompts (allowing parameter passing as part of the query)

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Predictive

Insert dynamic text token in chart footer based on Smart Insights

You can now insert a dynamic text token in chart footers based on the Smart Insights feature and supplement your data visualizations by providing additional context behind the numbers. This helps you understand the most intricate parts of your data and see which factors provide the largest contributions to your visualization. You can also continue your data exploration by utilizing the additional entry point to the smart insight panel.

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Digital Boardroom

Reset topic option

Oh no! Clicked the wrong filter? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this update, we have added a reset topic option in the Context Menu that allows you to reset all changes made within a specific Digital Boardroom session. You can quickly reset any changes you have made to the current topic without having to reload the entire application to return the presentation to the original state.

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Mobile

Support for dimension input controls

The mobile app now supports dimension and measure input controls, allowing users to switch dimensions or measures in a chart or table.

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Disable mobile application password

Making logging in via mobile simpler! You can now disable the application password prompt for all mobile application users. Once a user sets up the mobile app on their device, they will no longer be prompted to re-enter their application password every time they go into the app.

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Improved viewing options for stories across multiple devices

You can now use the device preview area of Stories to set different font sizes for the resolutions of different device types. Story designers can target how text is displayed for a single story when viewed across multiple mobile devices.

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Data Analysis, Stories and Tables

Improved lane reflow in responsive pages

We have improved the reflow logic! Preserve the content layout and proportions in your responsive pages and have greater control of how your content is consumed on different devices. Our new reflow logic will ensure that your story not only looks visually appealing but also delivers a consistent message to all your content consumers.

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Dimension and data labels for scatterplot

Scatter plot charts can now display:

• Dimension labels
• Data Labels

You also can display data labels for the highest and lowest values only! This will be available for both the x and y-axis and is available for the bubble chart. Being able to see min/max only gives you the ability to see the range of your data without making your chart overwhelming.

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Axis labels for time members reflecting hierarchy level

The feature ensures charts with time dimension are easy to read and effortless to create. This is perfect for when you are comparing data with different data granularities. For example: If you want to compare total revenue in 2015 to Q3 2016.

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