Using the SAP BI Metadata Creation Solution

You can use the SAP BI metadata creation solution to create InfoSources, InfoObjects, and InfoPackages and start InfoPackages. To create objects in SAP BI, open the sapsolutions/BW/metadata folder on the PowerCenter installation DVD. It contains the following subfolders: Mappings Workflows SrcAndParamFiles The mappings and workflows folders contain XML files that you can import as mappings and workflows into the PowerCenter repository.

Upgrade Note
If you are upgrading from PowerCenter Connect for SAP BW 7.x, you must import the mappings and workflows from the latest SAP BI metadata creation solution into the PowerCenter repository. You do not need to import the source and parameter files. Note: When you configure the Integration Service, Set OutputMetaDataForFF to No so that the Integration Service does not output metadata for flat file targets.

The mappings Folder

The mappings folder includes mappings to create objects in SAP BI. Table 1 lists the mappings included with the SAP BI metadata creation solution: Table 1. SAP BI Metadata Creation Mappings
Mapping
BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE.XML BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE.XML BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE.XML BAPI_IPAK_CREATE.XML BAPI_IPAK_START.XML

Description
Creates and activates an InfoObject. Creates and activates an InfoSource for master data. Creates and activates an InfoSource for transaction data. Creates an InfoPackage. Starts an InfoPackage.

The workflows Folder

The workflows folder includes workflows to create objects in SAP BI. Table 2 lists the workflows included with the SAP BI metadata creation solution: Table 2. SAP BI Metadata Creation Workflows
Workflow
INFOOBJECT_CREATE_ACTIVATE.XML

Description
Creates and activates an InfoObject. This workflow uses the BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping to create the InfoObject. Creates and activates an InfoSource for master data. This workflow uses the BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping to create the InfoSource.

INFOSOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE.XML

INFOSOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE.XML

Creates and activates an InfoSource for transaction data. This workflow uses the BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping to create the InfoSource. Creates an InfoPackage. This workflow uses the BAPI_IPAK_CREATE mapping to create the InfoPackage. Starts an InfoPackage. This workflow uses the BAPI_IPAK_START mapping to start the InfoPackage.

INFOPACKAGE_CREATE.XML

INFOPACKAGE_START.XML

The SrcAndParamFiles Folder

The SrcAndParamFiles folder includes support files that you use to create SAP BI metadata. These include parameter files and sample files that you use during a workflow to create SAP BI metadata. Table 3 lists the files included with the SAP BI metadata creation solution: Table 3. SAP BI Metadata Creation Support Files
File
INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm

Description
Set the values for mapping variables you use in the SAP BI metadata creation mappings before running a workflow. Use this file for every workflow run and set the corresponding session tasks variables in each workflow. Add a reference to the source XML file that defines the metadata for the InfoSource or InfoObject you want to create in SAP BI. Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt specifies BW_TABLE_METADATA.XML by default. You can reference any source XML file that you create in the Designer. Use this file for the BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE, BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE, and BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE mappings. Sample source file. By default, the Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt parameter file references this XML file. When you export a target table to an XML source file called BW_TABLE_METADATA.XML, you can leave the default reference to the file in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt. If you create an XML file with another name, specify the file name in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt. Use to specify the metadata for the InfoPackage you want to create in SAP BI. Configure this file before running the INFOPACKAGE_CREATE workflow. Use to specify the technical name of the InfoPackage you want to start. Configure this file before running the INFOPACKAGE_START workflow. The INFOSOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE and INFOSOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE workflows use this file to start the workflow. Do not modify this file.

Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt

BW_TABLE_METADATA.XML

BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt

INFOPACKAGE_NAME.txt

TriggerRow.txt

Requirements to Create SAP BI Metadata

Before running workflows to create SAP BI metadata, complete the following tasks: Import the mappings. Import the workflows. Create a target definition and export the target as an XML file.

Importing the Mappings

Import the mappings from the sapsolutions\BW\metadata\mappings directory on the PowerCenter installation DVD into a new folder in the PowerCenter repository. NOTE: If you import a mapping into a folder that contains objects that exist in the mapping, the Designer prompts you to rename, replace, reuse, or compare the objects. Select Rename to rename the mapping.

Importing the Workflows

Import the workflows from the sapsolutions\BW\metadata\workflows directory on the PowerCenter installation DVD into a folder in the PowerCenter repository. Import the mappings before importing the workflows. You must import the workflows into the same folder as the mappings.

Creating and Exporting a Target Table

To create an InfoObject or InfoSource in SAP BI, create a target definition. The target definition defines the metadata for the InfoSource you want to create in SAP BI. Each column you create defines the metadata for an InfoObject you want to create in SAP BI. If you specify an InfoSource or InfoObject that already exists in SAP BI, the Integration Service does not replace or update the metadata for the InfoSource or InfoObject in SAP BI. After you define an InfoSource or InfoObject you want to create in SAP BI, export the table to an XML file in the SrcFiles directory in the PowerCenter Services installation. The sapsolutions\BW\metadata\SrcAndParamFiles folder on the PowerCenter installation DVD includes a sample exported XML file called BW_TABLE_METADATA.XML.

Running a Workflow to Create an InfoObject

To create and activate an InfoObject, run the INFOOBJECT_CREATE_ACTIVATE workflow. Before you run the workflow, complete the following configuration tasks: Specify the file name of the exported table in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt. Configure the mapping variables for the BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm.

Specifying Exported Table in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt

In Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt, specify the file name of the exported table that defines the metadata for the InfoObject. You can use the sample file in the sapsolutions\BW\metadata\SrcAndParamFiles directory on the PowerCenter installation DVD as a template to create a copy of Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt. Place the copy of Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt in the SrcFiles directory in the PowerCenter Services installation.

Configuring Mapping Variables for the BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE Mapping

After you specify the exported table name, configure the mapping variables for the BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping. The mapping variables for the BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping specify the metadata for the InfoObject. Configure the mapping variables in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm. Place the copy of the parameter file in server\bin in the PowerCenter Services installation directory. You can place the file in another directory if you specify the file name and directory in the workflow or session properties.

Table 4 lists the mapping variables you configure in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm to create and activate an InfoObject: Table 4. Mapping Variables for the BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE Mapping
Mapping Variable
[s_BAPI_IOBJ_CREATE_ACTIVATE] $$SAPCONNECTION=

Required/ Optional
Required Required

Description
Session task name. Do not change this entry. BAPI/RFC connection name. Define an SAP BAPI/RFC connection object and enter the name here. Attribute flag that enables the Attribute Only option for the InfoObject. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is X. Text table flag that enables the With texts option for the InfoObject. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is X. Text short flag that enables the Short Text Exists option for the InfoObject. Enter X to enable or a enter value to disable. Default is X. Text medium flag that enables the Medium Text Exists option for the InfoObject. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is X. Text long flag that enables the Long Text Exists option for the InfoObject. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is X. Fixed Currency. You can change the value to any valid currency. This property is only used while creating a Key Figure InfoObject of type Amount. Default is U.S. Dollar. Fixed Unit of Measure. You can change the value to any valid unit of measure. This property is only used while creating a Key Figure InfoObject of type Quantity. Default is Pounds. InfoArea. The valid InfoArea name you enter here is copied to the InfoArea of the characteristic InfoObject. Application Component. The valid Application Component name you enter here is copied to the Application Component of the characteristic InfoObject.

$$ATTRIBUTEFLAG=X

Optional

$$TXTTABFL=X

Optional

$$TEXT_SHORT_FLAG=X

Optional

$$TEXT_MEDIUM_FLAG=X

Optional

$$TEXT_LONG_FLAG=X

Optional

$$FIXCUKY=USD

Optional

$$FIXUNIT=LB

Required

$$INFOAREA=

Optional

$$APPLICATIONNAME=

Optional

Running a Workflow to Create an InfoSource for Master Data

To create and activate an InfoSource for master data, run the INFOSOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE workflow. Before you run the workflow, complete the following tasks: Create the InfoObjects you want to include in the InfoSource. Specify the file name of the exported table in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt. Configure the mapping variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm.

Creating the InfoObjects

Before you run the workflow to create an InfoSource for master data, create the InfoObjects you want to include in the InfoSource. You can include InfoObjects that you created using the SAP BI metadata creation solution. You can also use InfoObjects that you created in SAP BI.

Specifying Exported Table in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt

In Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt, specify the file name of the exported table that defines the metadata for the InfoSource and InfoObject. You can use the sample file in the sapsolutions\BW\metadata\SrcAndParamFiles directory on the PowerCenter installation DVD as a template to create a copy of Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt. Place the copy of the file and the exported table in the SrcFiles directory in the PowerCenter Services installation.

Configuring Mapping Variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE Mapping

After you specify the exported table name, configure the mapping variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping. The mapping variables specify the metadata for an InfoSource for master data. Configure the mapping variables in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm. Place the copy of the parameter file in server\bin in the PowerCenter Services installation directory. You can place the file in another directory if you specify the file name and directory in the workflow or session properties. Table 5 lists the mapping variables you configure in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm to create and activate an InfoSource for master data: Table 5. Mapping Variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE Mapping
Mapping Variable Required/ Optional
Required Required

Description
Session task name. Do not change this entry. BAPI/RFC connection name. Define an SAP BAPI/RFC connection object and enter the name here. Name of the source system to which the Master InfoSource will be assigned. Name of primary InfoObject for the Master InfoSource. Enter the name of the InfoObject that is used as the primary InfoObject for the InfoSource. Load Method. Enter T for transactional RFC or I for IDoc. Default is T. Name of Application Component. When you specify this option, the Integration Service creates the Master InfoSource under the Application Component. Otherwise, the Integration Service creates it under Unassigned nodes. Delta Update. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is X. Reloading Data Request is Permitted. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is null value. Delta Update for Texts is Supported. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is X. Reloading Data Request for Texts is Permitted. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is null value.

[s_BAPI_ISOURCE_MD_CREATE_ACTIVATE]
$$SAPCONNECTION=

$$SOURCESYSTEM=

Required

$$INFOOBJECT=

Required

$$LOADMETHOD=T

Optional

$$APPLICATIONNAME=

Optional

$$DELTAUPDATE=X

Optional

$$RELOADABLE=

Optional

$$DELTAUPDATETEXT=X

Optional

$$RELOADABLETEXT=

Optional

Running a Workflow to Create an InfoSource for Transaction Data

To create and activate an InfoSource for transaction data, run the INFOSOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE workflow. Before you run the workflow, complete the following configuration tasks: Create the InfoObjects you want to include in the InfoSource. Specify the file name of the exported table in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt. Configure the mapping variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm.

Creating the InfoObjects

Before you run the workflow to create an InfoSource for master data, create the InfoObjects you want to include in the InfoSource. You can include InfoObjects that you created using the SAP BI metadata creation solution. You can also use InfoObjects that you created in SAP BI.

Specifying Exported Table in Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt

In Indirect_BW_TABLE_METADATA.txt, specify the file name of the exported table that defines the metadata for the InfoSource and InfoObject. You can use the sample file in the sapsolutions\BW\metadata\SrcAndParamFiles directory on the PowerCenter installation DVD as a template to create a copy of the file. Place the copy of the file and the exported table in the SrcFiles directory in the PowerCenter Services installation.

Configuring Mapping Variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE Mapping

After you specify the exported table name, configure the mapping variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE mapping. The mapping variables specify the metadata for an InfoSource for transaction data. You configure the mapping variables in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm. Place the copy of the parameter file in server\bin in the PowerCenter Services installation directory. You can place the file in another directory if you specify the file name and directory in the workflow or session properties. Table 6 lists the mapping variables you configure in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm to create and activate an InfoSource for transaction data: Table 6. Mapping Variables for the BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE Mapping
Mapping Variable
[s_BAPI_ISOURCE_TD_CREATE_ACTIVATE] $$SAPCONNECTION=

Required/ Optional
Required Required

Description
Session task name. Do not change this entry. BAPI/RFC connection name. Define an SAP BAPI/RFC connection object and enter the name here. Name of the source system to which the Master InfoSource will be assigned. Name of the Transaction InfoSource to be created. Load Method. Enter T for transactional RFC or I for IDoc. Default is T.

$$SOURCESYSTEM=

Required

$$INFOSOURCE= $$LOADMETHOD=T

Required Optional

$$FULLUPDATE=X

Optional

Full update supported. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is X. Delta Update. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is a null value. Subsequent Claim of a Data Package Supported. Enter X to enable or enter a null value to disable. Default is a null value.

$$DELTAUPDATE=

Optional

$$RELOADABLE=

Optional

Running a Workflow to Create an InfoPackage

To create an InfoPackage in SAP BI, run the INFOPACKAGE_CREATE workflow. Before you run the workflow, complete the following configuration tasks: Configure the InfoPackage metadata in BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt. Configure the mapping variable for the BAPI_IPAK_CREATE mapping in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm.

Configuring InfoPackage Metadata in BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt

In BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt, configure the metadata for the InfoPackage. You can use the sample file in the sapsolutions\BW\metadata\SrcAndParamFiles directory on the PowerCenter installation DVD as a template to create a copy of the file. The sample file includes a header row of text that specifies the properties for the InfoPackage that you need to define in the file. Do not delete the header row at the beginning of the file. Use the header row as a template to configure the metadata for the InfoPackage you want to create. You can configure multiple InfoPackages in BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt. Place the copy of BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt in the SrcFiles directory in the PowerCenter Services installation. Table 7 lists each property in BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt: Table 7. Properties in BAPI_IPAK_CREATE_SI.txt
Property
InfoSource InfoSourceType

Required/ Optional
Required Required Name of the InfoSource.

Description

Type of InfoSource. Enter I for Transaction InfoSource. Enter O for Master InfoSource. Technical name for the SourceSystem. Technical name for the DataSource that is mapped on the InfoSource. Technical type for the DataSource. Enter D for transaction DataSource. Enter M for master data attributes. Enter T for master text DataSource. If master data exists for the data, this property indicates whether the system only loads data. Text description of InfoPackage. InfoPackage processing mode. Enter F for Full Update. Enter D for Delta Update. Enter R for Repeat Update. Enter C to initialize delta procedure. Enter I to construct initial count.

LogSys DataSource DataSourceType

Required Required Required

UpdateMasterData

Required

Text UpdateMode_Read

Required Required

Configuring Mapping Variable for the BAPI_IPAK_CREATE Mapping

After configuring the InfoPackage metadata, configure the mapping variable for the BAPI_IPAK_CREATE mapping. The mapping variable specifies the SAP BI connection to use to create the InfoPackage. Configure the mapping variable in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm. Place the copy of the parameter file in server\bin in the PowerCenter Services installation directory. You can place the file in another directory if you specify the file name and directory in the workflow or session properties. Table 8 lists the mapping variable you configure for the BAPI_IPAK_CREATE mapping: Table 8. Mapping Variable for the BAPI_IPAK_CREATE Mapping Mapping Variable
[s_BAPI_IPAK_CREATE] $$SAPCONNECTION=

Required/ Optional
Required Required

Description
Session task name. Do not change this entry. BAPI/RFC connection name. Define an SAP BAPI/RFC connection object and enter the name here.

Running a Workflow to Start an InfoPackage

To start an InfoPackage in SAP BI, run the INFOPACKAGE_START workflow. Before you can run the workflow, complete the following configuration tasks: Specify the InfoPackage technical name in INFOPACKAGE_NAME.txt. Configure the mapping variable for the BAPI_IPAK_START mapping in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm. Configure the 3rd Party Selection tab for the InfoPackage in SAP BI.

Specifying InfoPackage Technical Name in INFOPACKAGE_NAME.txt

In INFOPACKAGE_NAME.txt, specify the technical name for the InfoPackage you want to start. You can use the sample file in the sapsolutions\BW\metadata\SrcAndParamFiles directory on the PowerCenter installation DVD as a template to create a copy of INFOPACKAGE_NAME.txt. Place the copy of the file in the SrcFiles directory in the PowerCenter Services installation. When you create an InfoPackage using the metadata creation solution, you can find the InfoPackage technical name in the following output file TgtFiles\INFOPACKAGE_NAME1.OUT in the PowerCenter Services installation. You can also find the InfoPackage technical name in the InfoPackage properties in SAP BI.

Configuring Mapping Variable for the BAPI_IPAK_START Mapping

After you specify the InfoPackage technical name, configure the mapping variable for the BAPI_IPAK_START mapping. Configure the mapping variable in INFA_SAPBW_OBJECT_MANAGEMENT.prm. Place the copy of the parameter file in server\bin in the PowerCenter Services installation directory. You can place the file in another directory if you specify the file name and directory in the workflow or session properties.

Table 9 lists the properties you configure for the BAPI_IPAK_START mapping: Table 9. Mapping Variable for the BAPI_IPAK_START Mapping
Mapping Variable
[s_BAPI_IPAK_START] $$SAPCONNECTION=

Required/ Optional
Required Required

Description
Session task name. Do not change this entry. BAPI/RFC connection name. Define an SAP BAPI/RFC connection object and enter the name here.

Configuring the 3rd Party Selection Tab for the InfoPackage in SAP BI
Before you run the workflow to start an InfoPackage, you need to configure the 3rd Party Selection tab for the InfoPackage in SAP BI to input PowerCenter workflow and session task names. For more information about configuring the 3rd Party Selection tab in SAP BI, see Loading Data into SAP BI in the PowerExchange for SAP NetWeaver User Guide.