Overview
A new Unit Description Table is now available in SAP Analytics Cloud, providing modelers and planners with a more structured and meaningful way to manage and store additional unit-related metadata. This enhancement enables users to associate detailed unit descriptions and symbols directly with measures, improving clarity and consistency in planning models and reports.
The Standard Unit Table now inherits both unit symbols and descriptions, ensuring seamless integration across existing data models. Additionally, multilingual support has been expanded, with unit descriptions now translatable into 40 languages, enhancing global usability and localization for multinational planning teams.
This update not only improves data transparency but also simplifies unit management in complex modelling scenarios
How to Add Units to the Unit Description Table
It is optional for Customers to populate a Unit Description Table. This optional feature allows organizations to add descriptive context to unit identifiers and support multilingual requirements without affecting core conversion functionality. By maintaining this table, businesses can ensure unit symbols and descriptions align with organizational standards and regional preferences.
Adding and Configuring Unit Descriptions
After clicking the “+” button, you’ll need to complete a few key fields. The Unit ID must exactly match an identifier from the Standard Unit Table, ensuring proper system integration. For the Symbol field, you can input up to 6 alphanumeric characters, including special characters commonly used in unit notation. The Description field accepts up to 30 characters for more detailed explanations of the unit’s purpose or application.
How to Add Unit Properties to Dimensions in a Model
Creating the Unit Property:
- Open the Model in SAC and select the required Dimension.
- Ensure you have appropriate modelling privileges to modify dimension properties
- In the Dimension Details panel, navigate to the Properties section
- Click “Create Property” to initiate a new property definition
- Enter the following details to complete the step:
- ID Field: Enter a unique technical identifier
- Description: Provide a meaningful label
- Type Selection: Choose “Unit” from the type dropdown menu
- The system automatically generates a dedicated column in the dimension table
- To maintain property values:
- Select the newly created unit property
- Open the dimension grid view for direct editing
- Manually enter or update unit values for each dimension member
Add Unit Properties to Measures
To add unit properties to measures:
- Select the measure to open the Measure Details panel
- Scroll to the “Units & Currencies” section
- In the “Unit Type” dropdown, select “Unit” to enable conversion capabilities
Conversion Method Selection: Fixed or From Dimension
Option A: Fixed
- Select “Fixed” as the conversion method (default setting)
- In the unit selection field – Use the dropdown to browse available standard units
- Begin typing the Unit Code. Example: Enter “KM” for kilometer-based distance measures
Option B: Dimension-Based Unit Configuration
- Choose “From Dimension” as the conversion method
- Select the previously created unit property
