2621944 - Key value (#) is shown instead of the blank Text value (null) of a BEx characteristics in SAP Front-End reporting tools based on BICS layer

• When executing a report based on a BEx query through the BICS layer, the Key value appears of the BEx characteristics instead of the Text value, which is empty (null).
• Expectation would be to return the empty (null) Text value, instead of the Key value, which is a # in this case.
• The behavior is the same in all front-end reporting tools that is using the BICS layer, such as Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence, Analysis Office, Design Studio. And this # can be also present in the List of Values (LOV) in the prompt dialog.
• Still the Key value is shown after setting the parameter BICS_INFOOBJECT_TEXT_DISPLAY = X in RSADMIN as described in SAP Note 2404184.
• When setting the Characteristic Presentation to Key in RSRT:
  
• We can see that it shows the Key value (#).
  
• When setting the Characteristic Presentation to Text in RSRT:
  
• It shows the empty Text values (null).
  
• However, when creating a report in any of the mentioned reporting tools (here is an example from Crystal Reports), we can see that the Key value (#) is retrieved instead of the Text value (null).
  
• The same behavior is observed when executing the BEx query in Information Design Tool (IDT) in Query Panel (from BI 4.2 SP3 and newer).
  

"Image/data in this KBA is from SAP internal systems, sample data, or demo systems. Any resemblance to real data is purely coincidental."

• SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform 4.x
• SAP Crystal Reports
• SAP Crystal Reports for Enterprise (CR4E)
• SAP Web Intelligence
• Information Design Tool (IDT)
• SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office

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