Variables assume values that you define for them. You use them in components as you are designing business rules and templates.
You can create new variables from the System View and from within the Component Designer by launching the Variable Designer. When you create a variable from within the Component Designer, the variable is associated with the business rule that contains the component for which you created the variable. You can also create variables directly from the System View, and associate them with business rules, calculation or plan types, databases, or applications that you select.
There are two types of variables:
Execution: When the business rule is launched, the calculation defined for the variable is performed. You can use execution variables in formula, condition, or loop components.
Note: | Execution variables are not supported in Essbase aggregate storage applications, including those used in Oracle General Ledger. |
Replacement: When you are designing or launching the business rule, the variable is substituted with a calculation. You can use replacement variables in formula components.
There are several types of execution and replacement variables you can create.
Note: | The variables you can create differ depending on what application type you are working in and whether you are creating an execution or replacement variable. |
All users: Numeric—a number
String—a text string
Planning and Essbase block storage application users only: Essbase—an Essbase substitution variable.
Planning and Essbase users only: Cross Dimension—a selection of dimensions
Planning and Essbase users only: Dimension—a dimension
Planning and Essbase users only: Member—a member
Planning and Essbase users only: Members—two or more members
Planning and Essbase users only: Percent—a percentage
Planning users only: String as number—a text string
Planning users only: Date as number—a date
Member Range—a range of members from one or more dimensions
Financial Management users only: Data Range—a range of data values
Financial Management users only: Log Information—information from the log file
Financial Management users only: Boolean—a condition that returns a true or false value
Financial Management, Planning, and Essbase block storage application users only: Array—a list of values
You can create variables that prompt users to enter information when they launch a business rule. These runtime prompt variables prompt users for such information as members, text, dates, or numbers. The prompts tell users what type of data is expected.
Note: | Runtime prompt variables can be used only in Planning business rules. |
For example:
Select a month.
Enter the expected number of customer visits per quarter.
What percentage change in earnings do you expect next month?
There are up to four database objects with which you can associate a variable, depending on which application type you are creating a variable for. A variable can exist in multiple objects simultaneously and can have the same name in each object.
(Financial Management and Planning users only) Global: If you select global, the variable can be used in any application within the same application type.
(All users) Application: If you select application, the variable can be used within the application with which you are working when you create the variable.
(Planning and Essbase users only) Plan or Database: If you select plan or database, the variable can be used within the plan type or database with which you are working when you create the variable.
(Planning and Essbase users only) Rule: If you select rule, the variable can be used within the business rule with which you are working when you create the variable.
Note: | Runtime prompt variables of all levels (that is global, application, plan, and rule) can be hidden when they are used in business rules. |