SAP Lumira:

To understand the concept of SAP Lumira or i can say that to get a overview of lumira before starting this blog i want to give an illustration so that all of who view this can easily understand the concept and followed by it you can get an interest for working in Lumira.

Every one of us like to eat food as it gives us energy and few of us even have a hobby or passion to cook and call some one and offer them the food that they have prepared. 
So now i want to relate this Food preparation with SAP Lumira tool.

While we enter the kitchen premises inside our house, our first intention is to "PREPARE" the food. So while preparing food, we think of preparing 3 to 4 items or even more or less.

Now next is that after preparing the food, our mindset say us to taste it and even wee "VISUALIZE" the look of the prepared food. So, we taste and then see what all things are missing while in the preparation process and thus ass them so it become yummy and tasty.

After this we take a plate and put the prepare food over the plate and "COMPOSE" it as after tasting the food our stomach feels hunger and so now we want to eat it. Now if there is some of guest who has arrived at your place then we try to compose the food on the plate in a manner that it looks beautiful and we expect that the guest like it just by the view of the composed food over the plate.

Now finally, we get out from the kitchen premises and come over to the dining table and "SHARE" the food that we have prepared and we start to eat and enjoy the food.

Similarly in lumira the concept is same like the food only, first Prepare, then Visualize, after that compose and finally share it.

Till now i expect, that basic concept or over view of Lumira is clear in your mind, and how it works.

LUMIRA is a visualization tool that is of SAP. Like other visualization tool that we do use for creation of reports we do use Lumira for better visualization. Lumira is a visual intelligence tool that is used to visualize data and create stories to provide graphical details of data.

i would like to share my point of view on Lumira so that who are working on this tool can get benefited and could help in working as well as cracking interviews.
There are 4 basic key terms that we use and see in Lumira which are detail, measure, hierarchies, and custom calculations. We can say in custom calculation such as we have a salary column in our data set and we would like to add one more column like bonus so for this we can use calculations on salary column to obtain values for bonus.
There are 4 tabs in Lumira and these are - PREPARE -VISUALIZE - COMPOSE - SHARE.
PREPARE – in this tab we fetch the data from the data source and then it is sectioned into fact and dimension objects for the report. We can even add new custom calculations here.
Here in the prepare tab we can do different types of formatting with the data set that is been acquired such as data cleaning, create new measures, create formulas and addition of new dataset.
There are different panel under prepare tab which are –
Dimension and measure – it contain all the measures and dimension in the data.
Dataset selector – we can select between multiple dataset or we can also have new dataset.
Filter bar – this represent filters applied to any dimension in dataset. To add a filter click on the icon in front of dataset and click on filter.
We can add new calculated measures in the prepare tab and the steps are as follows –

• First go to prepare tab of Lumira. Then on the RHS side top 4^th option shows calculated measures which is after the show/hide columns.
• Click on it and we will get 2 options from which we cans elect any one of it at a time i.e. new calculated dimension and new calculated measure.
• We select the option new calculated measure and then enter the measure name followed by it enter the formula and if required enter the function and click ok.
• Then the new calculated measure will get added under the measure tab.

VISUALIZE – this tab is used to add graphs and charts on the data that has been imported and organized in prepare tab. We can add different dimension and fact to the label axis.
Main area under visualize tabs are – graphs, dimension and measure. X axis represent here measure and Y axis dimensions.
CHART CANVAS – this is used to create or visualize. We can directly drag the dimension and measures to chart to build a chart. We can add various tools like sorted by dimension, add or edit ranking by measures, clear chart and fit chart to frame. Apart from that we can re prompt, refresh, undo and redo.
For using the visualization tools we can go to file à preference à chart à chart canvas lay out.
A new window get open which is of Lumira preference. In this on LHS side we have tabs such as –
General - under general we have language option, auto recovery, font for the report, and default room.
View – under view option we have layout on RHS.
Chart - this is the third option at LHS and under this on RHS we have option like chart canvas lay out which suggest that position of chart builder at left or right side. Then comes the chart style from where we cans elect the color palette, template and zoom option and click then done.
Below to chart option in LHS we have other option like data sets, network and SQL drivers.
In the visualize tab we have chart picker option from where can select our desired chart.
Chart shelves – from here we can add measures and dimension to visualization.
COMPOSE – in this tab we can create stories and presentation which include back ground color, title, pictures and text.
SHARE – it is used to share the visualization that we have prepared and composed to different platforms.
Data sources – in Lumira that I have used so far I have used data source as excel, universe and UDT.
For this steps are –

• Open Lumira à for to file option à click new or directly press (ctrl+N).
• Then the new window get open which will be of “add new data source” from which we can select our desired dataset.
• Select the data source and click next.

Like in my previous project, I have fetched the data from the excel as it was my data source so for that,

• I went to file option à clicked new à then selected my excel file and à then created the report in the prepare tab.
• After selecting the excel file I sometime went to advance option to select a custom range, and we can add hidden rows and columns, and after that clicked create button which take me to prepare tab.
• In the prepare tab we could see measure and dimension both separated in to 2 section as measure and another as dimension. On the RHS of it we can view the data that was present on the excel file.
• Here we do have option of filtering of data, display formatting, convert to text, create dimension to measure, create hierarchy, rename the tables, duplicate, merging of columns, hide from dataset panel, and we can create calculated dimensions.
• After doing all these we move to next tab that is visualize tab where we can see 3 columns. First column we cans see objects which are classified into dimension and measures. 2^nd column consist of types of graphs that we can make and along with that we have x and y axis which define dimension and measure objects that has to be added to visualize in graphical form.

After done with visualization tab next we move to compose tab where first we have to provide a title to the story and below to it we have 3 options which are INFOGRAPHIC, BOARD, and REPORT.
INFOGRAPHIC – used to convey narrative message in an improved way which include chat visual properties, shapes, images and text.
BOARD – useful for delivering aggregated information which include interactive charts, filtering and input control.
REPORT – different types of visualizations can be consumed which includes interactive charts, sections, input control.
From these 3 we can compose our report in Lumira and after that we can share.
In share we have 4 options which are export as file, publish to SAP Lumira cloud, publish to Lumira server and publish to SAP stream work.
Connection with Universe as data source –

• Open Lumira - go to file - new - then select the option of universe to connect and down load the data set.
• Then click next.
• Enter the credentials details of universe which are host name, user name and password and the authentication type and click connect.
• It then show all the universes that are created. Select the universe that is required and then click next.
• Then a new window get open where we can add objects, filters which can be applied on the data set. Then click next button and it will take us to prepare tab of Lumira.
• In the prepare tab we can see the measures and dimensions which are defined at the universe level.
• After that we can follow steps same as for excel and create the report using Lumira.

CREATION OF CHARTS IN LUMIRA –

Following are the steps to add chart –

• Under the visualize tab go to chart builder.
• Then select the chart type. By default it is bar chart.
• Then choose a measure and drag it to an axis in the chart canvas. We can click on + option to add dimension and measures if required.
• Then we can filter the data by adding filters to chart by click on the filter option on the top LHS.
• Select the dimension and click ok after applying the filter.

Types of chart in Lumira –

COMPARISON	Compare the difference between the values.	BAR	COLUMN	RADAR	AREA	HEAT MAP
PERCENTAGE	Show % of parts in a chart	PIE	TREE	FUNNEL	DONUT
CORRELATION	Shows relationship between different values	SCATTER PLOT	BUBBLE	NETWORK	NUMERIC POINT	TREE
TREND	Data pattern or possible patterns	LINE	WATER FALL	BOX PLOT	PARALLEL COORDINATE
GEOGRAPHIC	Represent map of a country	GEO MAP	GEO PIE	GEO BUBBLE	GEO CHLOROPLETH

CONDITIONAL FORMATTING –

It is used to mention the critical data points in a chart by different values meeting certain conditions. This rule can be applied on measures and dimension both.
In the above picture the yellow colored box represent where we can use conditional formatting.
Creation steps –

• First of all we must have a measure value added to a chart.
• Click the new conditional formatting icon and it will open the rule editor box. Enter the name of the rule editor.
• Then select based on list to add a measure or dimension. We cans set multiple condition formatting rules on a single measure or dimension.
• Then select an operator and add one or more values for condition.

Geography hierarchy –

• After getting the data we have to check the dimension containing the location.
• Click the object that contain the dimension of the location then click geographic hierarchy à by names
• A new window will get open with the geographic data then select the dimension to map to hierarchy. Click confirm.
• If region doesn’t apply to data set then click none from the list.
• After this we can see the set of analyzed values solved or not found. For all the solved values it will create a hierarchy and click done.

In this we can view 3 colors which are –

Location mapped exactly – GREEN
LOCATION WITH MORE THEN ONE POSSIBLE MATCH - YELLOW. (MORE THEN ONE CITY LIKE PUNE IN MAHARASHTRA STATE.)
LOCATIONS WHICH ARE NOT FOUND – RED.

• To use this chart, we can select geo bubble chart and then add country to geography and measure to the chart.
• Then select the value in the chart and we will get the drill option to the next level.
• Ex – country – region – state –

CUSTOM HIERARCHY –

We can create custom ones by combining dimensions.
Ex – suppose we have customer name country, quantity, category, product tables in the dataset then

• Select category à option à create custom hierarchy.
• New window will open and there enter the name of hierarchy and select other dimension to add to the next level. Click create.
• After this product hierarchy will be added under the dimension tab.
• Add a bar chart and then add category and quantity to measures. Once we click category option we will get an option to drill down to next level i.e. PRODUCT.

MERGING –

We can merge 2 data set using join operator.

• Go to data pane on the top and click on it à then click combine à
• Once we click on merge it will show us a new window and compactable data type. Select merge type and click merge.
• Then we cans select inner join or left outer join and merge the objects.

Appending dataset using union operator.
Data - combine - append.

• A new window will open with append data. To use it we must have both tables must contain same number of column and compactable data types. Only compactable data types can be append.
• If the selected dimension contain compactable data type then the dimension can be appended. If not then a message will appear as UNION CAN NOT HAPPEN.

I would like to add few screen shorts for Lumira. These are just the examples to get an overview

 QUESTION AND ANSWERS ON LUMIRA -

1.Why do we use Lumira tool?

It allows you to predict future outcomes and forecast as per changing market situations. You can create data visualizations and stories from multiple data sources. It helps you to adapt data to organizational needs to create stories with visualizations. We can share the visualizations on different platforms like SAP HANA, BO Explorer, Business Objects BI Platform, etc.

2.Why do we use custom calculations in data set?

You can create custom calculations in Lumira data Visualization which are not available in data set or at database level.

Example

You have a “Salary” column in the data set, you can add a new calculated column with name “Bonus” and can apply a calculation on Salary to get the value of this column.

3.What is the use of different tabs in Lumira?

Prepare

This is used to import data set in SAP Lumira. Data cleansing is done and converted into the appropriate measures or attributes for the reports.

You can add new custom calculations here.

Visualize

This tab is used to add graphs and charts on the data that has been imported and organized in Prepare tab. You can add different attributes and measures to Label axis.

Compose

This is used to create stories and presentation, including background colors, titles, pictures, and text.

Share

This tab is used to publish your visualizations to different platforms or with different set of users in BI Repository.

4.Can we add hidden columns in Lumira?

Yes, on Advance option to select custom range. You can also include hidden rows and columns.

5.When we acquire a dataset it comes under which tab to perform data cleaning and editing?

Prepare tab.

6.How can we acquire data from an info provider in Lumira dataset?

Add new dataset → connect to SAP Business Warehouse

7.When you use query with SQL option to acquire data set, you can see few of the connections in red and green. What is the meaning?

To use SQL query to create dataset, go to file → New

Click on Query with SQL option to download a data set and click on Next. JDBC drivers has to be installed for database middle ware for using SQL query. The access driver is .jar files you can download from vendor site and copy to driver folder in application path.

Select SQL query, all queries in green presents drivers are installed properly for middleware. Select database middleware for target database and click on Next

8.What are the different connection parameters that can be configured while using Query with SQL as data source?

Connection Pool Mode: To keep connection active

Pool timeout: Time duration to keep connection active in minutes.

Array Fetch Size: to determine number of rows to fetch from target database.

Array Bind Size: Larger bind array, more number of rows will be fetched.

Login Timeout: Time before a connection attempts a timeout.

JDBC Driver Properties

9.What are the different panels in Prepare tab for data cleansing and applying filters?

Dimension and Measure Panel

It contains list of all dimensions and measures acquired in data set. Number in front of each object represents its data type.

You can use different tools in this panel to edit the data objects and to add hierarchies.

Dataset Selector

You can select between multiple datasets or you can also acquire a new dataset using this option.

Filter Bar

This represents filter applied to any dimension in dataset. To add a filter click on the icon in front of dataset and click on Filter.

10.What is chart canvas?

This is used to create or modify a visualization. You can directly drag attributes and measures to chart canvas or can add to chart builder.

You can add various tools like

• Sorted by Dimensions

• Add or Edit a ranking by measures

• Clear Chart

• Fit chart to frame

• Reprompt

• Refresh

• Settings

• Maximize

• Undo

• Redo

11. What are the different chart canvas properties that you can set in Lumira?

• Chart Canvas Layout

• Chart Style

• Template, font zoom etc.

12. Where do you define properties for Chart Canvas?

Go to File → Preferences → Charts

Here you can define various properties for chart canvas.

13. What is the use of compose tab?

You can create different stories in SAP Lumira in presentation style document using visualization, graphics and other customization that has been applied to dataset.

Once you go to compose tab you get multiple options to select an Infographic, Board or a Report

14. What are the different chart types in SAP Lumira?

• Bar Chart

• Column Chart

• Radar Chart

• Pie Chart

• Donut Chart

• Tree

• Scatter Plot

• Bubble Chart

• Network Chart

• And many more

15. Which chart types are best suited to show correlation between different values?

• Scatter Plot

• Bubble Chart

• Network Chart

• Numeric Point

• Tree

16. What is the use of Geography charts in SAP Lumira? What are different chart types under this category?

It is used to present map of country or globe present in the analysis. Common chart types are −

• Geo Bubble Chart

• Geo Choropleth Chart

• Geo Pie Chart

• Geo Map

 17. What is Conditional formatting?

It is used to mention critical data points in a chart by different values meeting certain condition. Multiple conditional formatting rules can be applied on measures or dimensions.

18. Which chart types support conditional formatting in SAP Lumira?

Conditional formatting can be applied on −

• Bar and Column charts (except 3D column charts)

• Pie chart

• Donut chart

• Scatter chart

• Bubble chart

• Cross tab

19. What is the use of display formatting option in Prepare tab?

You can set the below formatting for an attribute or dimension −

• Select a Value format

• Choose a Display format

• Prefix or suffix

20. Can we convert data types in SAP Lumira for dataset?

You can also convert data type into another. In Prepare tab → Go to column heading → Options

21. What is the use of hierarchies?

Hierarchies are used to display data at different granularity level and you can drill up/down at different levels for better understanding of relationship between objects.

22. What is geography hierarchy? How we can create geography hierarchy in data set?

When data is acquired, application looks for dimension containing location and present with an icon.

Click on option icon in front of a dimension → Create a Geographic hierarchy → By Names (this option is available only for string dimensions).

New window will open with name Geographical data → select the dimension to map to hierarchy and click on Confirm.

23. What is the meaning of Green, yellow and red while acquiring data for a hierarchy?

Locations mapped exactly are marked with green.

Locations with more than one possible match (for example, if more than one city named London was found) are marked with yellow.

Locations not found in the geographic database are marked with Red.

24. How do use hierarchies in the charts added to chart canvas in SAP Lumira?

When hierarchies are defined on dataset, you can use drill up or drill down option to move to next level.

25. How do you create custom hierarchies in SAP Lumira? How do you define level in a custom hierarchy?

Let us say you want to create a custom hierarchy on Category → Product

Select Category → Options → Create a Custom hierarchy

New window will open. Enter the name of hierarchy and select the other dimensions to add to next levels and click on Create. Arrows can be used to change the level.

26. You have added multiple data sets in SAP Lumira. How do you perform merging of data sets?

You can also merge two dataset by using Join operator.

Go to Data pane at the top → Combine → Merge

27. To perform a merge on multiple datasets, what are the conditions to perform a merge?

To merge

They should have same key column.

Column with same data type can be merged.

All columns will be merged.

28. What is the use of Merge type option in SAP Lumira?

Merge type defines the type of join. You can select from different join types – Inner join, outer join, etc

29. What is the different between combine and Append datasets in Lumira?

Merge is used to apply different joins on datasets.

You can use Union operator to append two datasets.

30. How do you append data sets in Lumira?

To append datasets in Lumira, go to Data → Combine → Append

To use append, both tables should contain same number of columns and compatible data types. Only compatible data types can be appended.

31. You have acquired data sets with different number of columns and different data types, when you perform append on these data sets what will happen?

When you perform an append and both source and target dimensions are different, message appears-Union cannot happen.