SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

1439265 - List of values empty when refreshing a report based on an SAP BW Query in Crystal Reports

Symptom

  • No list of values.
  • Prompt List of values empty when reporting off an SAP BW Query in Crystal Reports.
  • When executing the same SAP BW Query in BEx Analyzer, it does have a list of values.
  • When refreshing a report based on an SAP BW Query in Crystal Reports designer, there is no list of values for the SAP BW Query variable / parameter.
          
        
  • Note: Images and data in this SAP Knowledge Base Article is from SAP internal systems, sample data, or demo systems. Any resemblance to real data is purely coincidental.

Environment

  • SAP Crystal Reports 2013
  • SAP Crystal Reports 2016
  • SAP Crystal Reports 2020

Reproducing the Issue

  1. In Crystal Reports, create a new report. To do so, select under the menu File: New - Blank Reports...
       
  2. In the "Database Expert" window under "Create New Connection", double click on "SAP BW MDX Query"
      
      MDX Query - 02.png
      
  3. In the "SAP Logon" window, select the SAP BW System, and enter your SAP User credentials.
     
  4. Then select an SAP BW Query that have a least on variable.
     
  5. In the "Design" view of the report, add at least one database field to the report.
       
  6. When refreshing the report, it will prompt for a variable value, but there is no list of values to select from.
      
      Empty List of Values - 02.png
       
    Note: When executing the same SAP BW Query in BEx Analyzer, it does have a list of values. It is only empty in Crystal Reports.

Cause

  • It is unfortunately normal behavior. When creating a report based on an SAP BW Query using the "File" menu, it will not show any sample values for an SAP BW Query variable.
      
  • This is because when reporting off an SAP BW Query in Crystal Reports designer, there is no concept of dynamic list of values for the SAP BW Query variable.
       
  • The SAP BW Query variable only show a dynamic list of values when viewing the report in SAP BI LaunchPad / Central MAnagement Console (CMC), if the user login using SAP Authentication or SNC is setup on the SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform.

Resolution

  • To help the report designer test the report, a sample static list of values for the SAP BW Query variable will be populated when the report is created using the SAP menu in Crystal Reports. To create a report based on an SAP BW Query that have a static sample List of Values for the variable, follow the steps below:
       
    1. In Crystal Reports designer, under the menu "SAP", select "Create New Report from a Query…"
        
    2. In the "SAP Logon" window, select the SAP BW System, and your SAP User credentials.
        
    3. In the "Select Query for your Crystal Reports" window, select the SAP BW Query that have at least on variable.
         
       Empty List of Values - 03.png   
              

    4. Add a couple of fields to the report, and when refreshing it, you will now see a static sample list of values for the variable.
      Note: This is not a dynamic list of values. It is a sample static list of values only.
         
       Empty List of Values - 04.png

Keywords

List of values is empty , KBA , BI-RA-CR , Crystal Reports designer or Business View Manager , Problem

Product

SAP Crystal Reports 2013 ; SAP Crystal Reports 2016 ; SAP Crystal Reports 2020