Introduction
You can run a predictive forecast in time series or line charts in SAP Analytics Cloud stories (using either optimized design or optimized view mode).
Note
- The creation of a forecast requires a measure and a date dimension.
- Multiple measures can be used to compare predicted values across these measures.
- Coloring by dimensions can be used to compare predicted values across dimension values.
Once data is loaded into the chart, you can perform any of the following forecasting options:
1. Basic Forecast uses one of following scenarios:
- Automatic: This performs a predictive forecast on the available data. With this option, you can specify how many forecast periods to display in the chart.
- Exponential Smoothing: This uses the exponential smoothing algorithm to account for seasonal changes as well as trends.
- Linear Regression: This uses the linear regression algorithm on historical time series data to predict future values.
2. Advanced Forecast (available only in Edit mode) enables you to adjust the Forecast settings:
- Forecast Periods: You can enter a number or use the slider to set the number of periods that you would like the forecast to display.
- Additional Forecast Inputs: You can click on Add Input to add additional inputs from the model used to create the chart.
Note
- The Additional Forecast Inputs option can be used to add the following:
- Calculated measures or accounts
- Measure or account input controls
- Additional measures or accounts
This option is not available for Line charts.
Note
- Before you can create a forecast on a time series chart, using a remote model from an SAP HANA, SAP BW, SAP Universe or SAP S/4HANA system, your administrator must configure the following option: Enable Time Series Forecast and Smart Grouping on Live Data Models. The data will be processed on SAP servers. You cannot run forecasts on Line charts using remote models.
Procedure:
1
Go into Edit mode and in the Builder panel on the right side under Currently Selected Chart, select Line or Time Series. In this example I have selected Time Series chart.
2
Add one or more accounts.
3
Add the Date dimension.
4
Add a Color dimension. If you do not add a color dimension, default selection will be the measure selected in the Accounts section.
5
Select the chart and on the top right hand corner, click on the ellipses (3 dots) -> choose More Options -> Add -> Forecast.
You can then select one of the following:
1. Automatic: This performs a predictive forecast on the available data. With this option, you can specify how many forecast periods to display in the chart.
2. Exponential Smoothing: This uses the exponential smoothing algorithm to account for seasonal changes as well as trends.
3. Linear Regression: This uses the linear regression algorithm on historical time series data to predict future values.
5
Under Advanced Options, you can use the following options to run your forecast:
- Forecast Periods
- Additional Forecast Inputs
6
Click on Add Input to add additional inputs from the model used to create the chart. Here you can add:
- Calculated measures or accounts
- Additional measures or accounts
- A measure or account input control
Results
The resulting chart displays the forecast values and quality.
To check the results, click on chart and select the ellipses (3 dots) -> Applied to Chart -> Forecast.
- Forecast Periods: You can change the number of forecast periods.
- Forecast Quality: Review the forecast quality.
