Retrieving Substitution Variables

The Essbase application designer uses substitution variables to define global variables to represent Essbase values. For example, Latest can be a substitution variable representing the latest time period in a Dynamic Time Series.

Using Administration Services Console, the application designer sets substitution variables and their corresponding values for an application. Essbase stores these variables and their values on the Essbase Server. You can leverage the predefined substitution variables in Spreadsheet Add-in during Dynamic Time Series reporting.

For example, say the application designer sets a substitution variable on the server for the current month. The variable is called CurMnth and its value is August. If you use the substitution variable in the worksheet, a retrieval returns values for August, because August is set as the current month on the server. If, at a later date, the application designer changes the value of the CurMnth substitution variable to October, a retrieval returns data for October.

To retrieve substitution variables in the spreadsheet:

Enter the substitution variable in the cell of a spreadsheet where you want the member to appear in the report.
You must precede the substitution variable with the "&" sign. For example, &CurMonth.
Select Essbase, and then Retrieve.
Essbase replaces the substitution variable with the value that the Application Designer defined for it after Essbase retrieves the data.
Note:
If you save a spreadsheet containing a substitution variable as a template, ensure that you save the worksheet before you retrieve data.