51295724 Cognos Tutorial

Cognos® 8 Planning

ANALYST

TUTORIAL

Product InformationThis document applies to Cognos 8® Planning Version 8.3 and may also apply to subsequent releases. To check for newer versions of thisdocument, visit the Cognos Global Customer Services Web site (http://support.cognos.com).

CopyrightCopyright © 2007 Cognos Incorporated.Portions of Cognos® software products are protected by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 6,609,123 B1; 6,611,838 B1; 6,662,188B1; 6,728,697 B2; 6,741,982 B2; 6,763,520 B1; 6,768,995 B2; 6,782,378 B2; 6,847,973 B2; 6,907,428 B2; 6,853,375 B2; 6,986,135 B2;6,995,768 B2; 7,062,479 B2; 7,072,822 B2; 7,111,007 B2; 7,130,822 B1; 7,155,398 B2; 7,171,425 B2; 7,185,016 B1;7,213,199 B2.Cognos and the Cognos logo are trademarks of Cognos Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other names are trademarksor registered trademarks of their respective companies.While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate and complete, some typographical errors ortechnical inaccuracies may exist. Cognos does not accept responsibility for any kind of loss resulting from the use of information containedin this document.This document shows the publication date. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Any improvementsor changes to either the product or the document will be documented in subsequent editions.U.S. Government Restricted Rights. The software and accompanying materials are provided with Restricted Rights. Use, duplication, ordisclosure by the Government is subject to the restrictions in subparagraph (C)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Softwareclause at DFARS 252.227-7013, or subparagraphs (C)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights at 48CFR52.227-19,as applicable. The Contractor is Cognos Corporation, 15 Wayside Road, Burlington, MA 01803.This software/documentation contains proprietary information of Cognos Incorporated. All rights are reserved. Reverse engineering of thissoftware is prohibited. No part of this software/documentation may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmittedin any form or by any means, or translated into another language without the prior written consent of Cognos Incorporated.

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Table of Contents

Introduction 5

Chapter 1: Getting Started 9Conventions Used in this Tutorial 9Begin the Tutorial 10

Chapter 2: Creating the 1 Overheads D-List 11What is a D-List? 11Create the Overheads D-List 11Define a Subtotal 12Name, Save, and Close the D-List 14

Chapter 3: Creating the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List 15Create the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List 15Define the Subtotal 16Define the D-List as a Timescale 16Define the Timescale: Optional 17Color Coding and Saving the D-List 17

Chapter 4: Creating the Americas Overheads D-Cube 19What Is a D-Cube? 19Create the Americas Overheads D-Cube 19

The D-Cube Window 20Cell Manipulation - Optional 20

Preparing the Americas Overheads D-Cube Sample Data 21Prepare the Draft Salaries Budget 22Prepare the Travel Budget 22Prepare the Telephone Budget 24Prepare the Draft Electricity Budget 24Copy Data 24Arithmetic D-Cube Commands 26Prepare the Rent and Rates Budget 26

Adjust the Overheads Budget 27Hold Salaries 27Break Back the Total 27Hold the Grand Total and Reset Rent and Rates 28Decrease Rent and Rates 28Save and Close the Americas Overheads D-Cube 28

Chapter 5: Creating the 2 Divisions D-List 31Create a new D-List 31Define the Subtotal 31Color Code the D-List (optional) 32Name, Save, and Close the D-List 32

Tutorial 3

Chapter 6: Creating the 1 Profit and Loss D-List 33Create the 1 Profit and Loss D-List 33Define the Sales Formula 33Define the Margin Formula 35Define the Profit Formula 36Define the Profit % Formula 36Name, Save, and Close the D-List 37

Chapter 7: Creating the Profit and Loss D-Cube 39Create the Profit and Loss D-Cube 39The Three-Dimensional D-Cube Window 39

Chapter 8: Creating the ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-Link 41What Is a D-Link? 41Create the ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-Link 41Pair D-Lists Within a D-Link 41Execute a D-Link 44Drill Down to Another D-Cube 44View, Edit and Save Limited Selections 44

Chapter 9: Creating the Profit and Loss Data File Map 47What is a File Map? 47Create the Profit and Loss Data File Map 47Define the Column Types 48Name, Save, and Close the Map 49

Chapter 10: Creating the ProfitAndLoss<ProfitAndLossData D-Link 51Creating the ProfitAndLoss<ProfitAndLossData D-Link 51Pair the Data dimension with the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List 52Pair the P&L Line dimension with the 1 Profit and Loss D-List 52Pair the Division Dimension with the 2 Divisions D-List 53Execute the D-Link 54Drill Down to a Mapped ASCII File 54Name, Save, and Close the D-Link 55

Chapter 11: Revisiting the Profit and Loss D-Cube 57Page Through a Three-Dimensional D-Cube 57Slice a Three-Dimensional D-Cube 57Weighted Averages in the 1 Profit and Loss D-List 58Change Formats in the P&L D-List 60Add a Cumulative Profit Item 62Adjust the Time Totaling for Cumulative Profit 63

Index 65

4 Analyst

Table of Contents

Introduction

This document is intended for use with Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst.

This Tutorial provides an introduction to Analyst and its key features and concepts. You should

be able to work through the Tutorial in one working day.

Everything you need to do to complete the Tutorial is laid out in numbered steps. Generally, concepts

are illustrated by example. You also will encounter longer introductions where it is important that

you are familiar with certain concepts before you continue.

Cognos 8 Planning provides the ability to plan, budget, and forecast in a collaborative, secure

manner. The major components are Analyst and Contributor.

Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst

Analyst is a flexible tool used by financial specialists to define their business models. These models

include the drivers and content required for planning, budgeting, and forecasting. The models can

then be distributed to managers using the Web-based architecture of Cognos 8 Planning -

Contributor.

Cognos 8 Planning - Contributor

Contributor streamlines data collection and workflow management. It eliminates the problems of

errors, version control, and timeliness that are characteristic of a planning system solely based on

spreadsheets. Users have the option to submit information simultaneously through a simple Web

or Microsoft Excel® interface. Using an intranet or secure Internet connection, users review only

what they need to review and enter data where they are authorized.

For more information about using this product, visit the Cognos Global Customer Services Web

site (http://support.cognos.com).

Best Practices for Cognos 8 Planning

The Cognos Innovation Center™ for Performance Management provides a forum and Performance

Blueprints which you can use to discover new ideas and solutions for finance and performance

management issues. Blueprints are pre-defined data, process, and policy models that incorporate

best practice knowledge from Cognos customers and the Cognos Innovation Center. These Blueprints

are free of charge to existing customers or Platinum and Gold partners. For more information about

the Cognos Innovation Center or the Performance Blueprints, visit http://www.cognos.com/

innovationcenter.

Audience

This guide is for new Analyst users, familiarity with financial data is helpful, but not required to

complete the tutorial.

Tutorial 5


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Related Documentation

Our documentation includes user guides, getting started guides, new features guides, readmes, and

other materials to meet the needs of our varied audience. The following documents contain related

information and may be referred to in this document.

Note: For online users of this document, a Web page such as The page cannot be found may appear

when clicking individual links in the following table. Documents are made available for your

particular installation and translation configuration. If a link is unavailable, you can access the

document on the Cognos Global Customer Services Web site (http://support.cognos.com). Logon

credentials are available either from your administrator or by request from support.america@cognos.

com.

DescriptionDocument

Using Cognos 8 Planning - AnalystAnalyst User Guide

Using Cognos 8 Planning - ManagerManager User Guide

Getting to know Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst for Microsoft Excel®Analyst for Microsoft

Excel® Tutorial

Finding Information

To find the most current product documentation, including all localized documentation, access the

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link to access documentation guides. Click the Knowledge Base link to access all documentation,

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Product documentation is available in online help from the Help menu or button in Cognos products.

You can also download documentation in PDF format from the Cognos Global Customer Services

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You can also read PDF versions of the product readme files and installation guides directly from

Cognos product CDs.

Getting Help

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6 Analyst

Introduction


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format, solely for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and providing internal training on Cognos

software.

Tutorial 7

Introduction

8 Analyst

Introduction

Chapter 1: Getting Started

In this tutorial you build a simple Analyst model from start to finish. The model is designed to build

a company budget Profit and Loss. The hypothetical company used in this tutorial has five divisions

(Americas, Northern Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, and Asia Pacific). The Northern

Europe division’s overheads budget is entered manually. Sales budget data for all divisions is

imported from an ASCII file.

An Analyst model is a collection of interlinked D-Cubes, which hold all of the model data. D-Cubes

are built from D-Lists. These define the dimensions of a D-Cube. Data is transferred between

D-Cubes and imported into D-Cubes by D-Links.

D-Lists, D-Cubes, and D-Links are all Analyst objects. Starting with chapter two of this tutorial,

you will build Analyst objects. Below is a list of those objects with the chapter number. On the next

page is a model overview with numbered objects that correspond to the chapters of the tutorial.

An Overview of the Completed Tutorial Model

1 Divisions

Profit and LossD-Cube

4 Months - Fiscal

1Profitand

Loss

ProfitandLoss DataFile Map

Tutorial.csv (ASCII file)

AmericasOverheads

D-Cube

4 Months - Fiscal1Overheads

ProfitandLoss<AmericasOverheads

ProfitandLoss<ProfitandLossData

Conventions Used in this TutorialEverything you need to do to complete the tutorial is laid out in numbered steps. Generally, concepts

are illustrated by example. You also will encounter longer introductions where it is important that

you are familiar with certain concepts before you continue.

Tutorial 9

Begin the TutorialBefore you can work through this tutorial, you must have Analyst installed on your computer. For

installation instructions, see the Cognos 8 PlanningInstallation Guide.

When going through the tutorial, you will save your work to a Test library. If this Test library is

not installed on your computer, you must create it before you begin the tutorial.

Steps

1. From the Start menu, click Programs, Cognos 8 Planning, Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst.

2. Enter your user id and (optional) password. Click OK.

3. If available, select the Test library to use in this session. Click OK.

If the Test library does not exist, you must select a default library in order to log on. In the

following steps, you will create the Test library where you will save your work.

4. From the File menu, click Administration, Maintain Libraries and Users.

5. Ensure the Libraries tab is selected, then click Add.

6. Type Test for a name.

7. Type Tutorial Test Library. for a description

8. Click Browse. Navigate to the Analyst install location, for example: C:\Program Files\Cognos\

c8\samples\<language>\Planning.

9. Click OK, and then close the Maintain Libraries and Users dialog.

You are ready to begin the tutorial

10 Analyst

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Chapter 2: Creating the 1 Overheads D-List

In this chapter, you will create the first D-List for this tutorial called 1 Overheads D-List. This

D-List contains overhead types and a subtotal.

What is a D-List?A D-List is a list of related items that can be put into formulas that proceed down the rows or across

the columns of a D-Cube. D-Lists commonly encountered in a Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst model

include lists of departments, products, customers, months, Profit & Loss line items, balance sheet

line items, and so on.

D-Cubes are built from D-Lists. The D-Lists define the dimensions of the D-Cube, forming the row,

column, and page headers.

The D-Lists that you will create in this tutorial will include a number before the name. The number

represents one of five categories and reflects the order in which the D-Lists should be processed

when creating a D-Cube. When you create a D-Cube, it is best to choose the D-Lists in a set order

to overcome any priority conflicts on formulas at a later date. In general, select D-Lists with the

most calculations first, particularly when the calculations use IF...THEN...ELSE logical operators.

Select the aggregation D-Lists next (divisions, customers, products) then the timescale D-Lists.

Finish with the versions D-List.

Each item in a D-List is referred to by a unique item name. Some D-List items may be calculated

from other D-List items. Calculated items are called formula items; other items are called detail

items.

You can use letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and spaces in D-List item names. However, you

should avoid using the following:

● The semicolon (;) because it is used in special calculation formulas called built-in functions

(BiFs).

● The at sign (@) and braces ({}) because these are used in formulas, built-in functions, and macros.

● The brackets ([ ]) because this naming convention is used to mark D-List formatted items, which

appear as virtual dimensions in the D-Link editor.

Create the Overheads D-ListThe Overheads D-List is a list of overhead types (Salaries, Travel, Telephone, Electricity, Rent and

Rates) together with a subtotal (Total Overheads).

Steps

1. From the File menu, click New, D-List.

Tutorial 11

2. Type the following six item names into the Enter item names section, pressing Enter after typing

each.

3. Click OK.

The D-List editor appears.

Define a SubtotalDefine the total overheads subtotal as a sum calculation of all overheads.

Steps

1. Select the Total Overheads - Calculation cell.

2. Click Change item attributes.

The D-List editor expands to display the Calculation field.

12 Analyst


3. Click Paste.

The Select items for calculation dialog box appears with the item name Total Overheads in the

title bar.

4. Click OK. If no selection is made when you click OK, it means all items are selected.

You return to the D-List editor with the requested items pasted into the Calculation field. D-List

items containing more than one word, such as Rent and Rates, are enclosed in braces so they

are treated as a single D-List item. Braces also enclose item names containing arithmetical

operators (+ - / *) and numerals.

5. Click Apply. The word Subtotal appears in the selected cell to indicate that Total Overheads

is defined as a subtotal formula item.

Tutorial 13


Name, Save, and Close the D-ListFinalize and close the 1 Overheads D-List.

Steps

1. Click Save from the File menu.

2. In the Libraries field, click Test.

3. In the D-List Name field, type 1 Overheads, and then click OK. The title bar of the D-List

editor now displays the Library and D-List name: Test.1 Overheads. The number in the D-List

name, in this case 1, refers to the order the D-List will go when you create the D-Cube.

4. From the File menu, click Close.

Now you have finished creating the 1 Overheads D-List.

14 Analyst


Chapter 3: Creating the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List

In this chapter, you will now build your second D-List. This D-List will contain the months of one

financial year (Apr to Mar), together with a subtotal (Full Year). Building the 4 Months - Fiscal

D-List is different from building the 1 Overheads D-List in one important respect: the 4 Months -

Fiscal D-List must be defined as a timescale D-List. After you define a D-List as a timescale D-List,

you can apply growth rates across time and use the timescale D-List in certain Built in Functions

(BiFs).

Create the 4 Months - Fiscal D-ListCreate the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List to create a timescale D-List containing each month and a

calculated subtotal for the full year.

Steps


2. Type the following item names in the Enter item names section, pressing Enter after each:

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Full Year

3. Click OK.

Tutorial 15

Define the SubtotalDefine the full year subtotal as a sum calculation of each month.

Steps

1. Select the Full Year - Calculation cell.


3. Click Paste. The Select items for calculation dialog box appears.

4. Click OK.

You return to the D-List editor with all items pasted into the Calculation field.

5. Click Apply.

Define the D-List as a TimescaleIf the items of a D-List represent time periods (days, weeks, months, years, and so on), the D-List

must be defined as a timescale. This allows the D-List to take advantage of the many forecasting

features reserved for timescale D-Lists.

Steps

1. From the D-List menu, click Options.

2. Select the Use as TimeScale check box.

The timescale definitions are generated automatically.

16 Analyst


3. Click OK to return to the D-List Editor.

Define the Timescale: OptionalAnalyst can also generate unique start and end dates for timescale definitions. When these are in

use, they appear in the From and To columns.

Steps

1. From the D-List menu, click Options again.

2. In the Mode drop-down list, click Custom. Another column, Length, appears.

3. Enter the length of time in days and the from date for the first month. Press Enter.

The To date is automatically generated.

4. For the remaining months, enter the length of time in days, the From and To dates are

automatically calculated.

5. Click OK to return to the D-List editor.

A clock icon appears in the upper left corner of the D-List editor to indicate it is defined as a

timescale.

Color Coding and Saving the D-ListD-Lists tend to be grouped in families or classes of similar lists. In Analyst, these classes are indicated

with different colors. The color convention is optional, but it is useful for navigating complex

models. Below are the color coding conventions used by Analyst.

ColorD-List Class

grayCalculation, accounting, P&L

turquoiseTimescale

light greenOrganizational (regions, divisions, cost centers)

light magentaProducts, services

light yellowVersions, variance

Steps

1. Click the D-List Color Indicator (the box next to the clock icon in the upper left corner of the

D-List editor). Select turquoise from the ribbon that appears showing the sixteen available

colors.

Tutorial 17


2. From the File menu, click Save.

3. Make sure the Test library is selected, enter 4 Months - Fiscal in the D-List Name field, and

then click OK.

The number in the D-List name, in this case 4, refers to the D-List order when you create the

D-Cube.

4. Close the D-List.

Now you have finished creating the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List.

18 Analyst


Chapter 4: Creating the Americas Overheads

D-Cube

In this chapter, you will first create the Americas Overheads D-Cube using the two D-Lists you

created in the previous chapters. Since the Americas Overheads D-Cube contains only two D-Lists,

it is two dimensional, like a single sheet spreadsheet.

After a brief introduction to the parts of the D-Cube window, you will then prepare a draft overheads

budget. This populates the Americas Overheads D-Cube with data and introduces breakback and

other key Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst data entry techniques.

Finally, you will adjust your overheads budget, which introduces the Analyst commands Hold,

Release, and Reset.

What Is a D-Cube?A D-Cube is a stored multidimensional table of data. Each dimension of the table is associated with

a D-List. The D-Lists supply the row, column, and page labels used in the table and also supply the

formulas for calculations.

Typically a D-Cube will contain no more than five or six dimensions.

Create the Americas Overheads D-CubeCreating a D-Cube involves selecting the D-Lists to include as dimensions, naming the D-Cube,

and selecting the portion of the D-Cube to view.

The order in which you include the D-Lists in a D-Cube is important.

In general, select D-Lists with the most calculations first. Select the aggregation D-Lists next

(divisions, customers, products) then the timescale D-Lists. Finish with the versions D-List.

Steps

1. From the File menu, click New D-Cube.

The Create New D-Cube dialog box appears with your two D-Lists shown in the Name section.

2. Click 1 Overheads and click the down arrow to move it to the Object(s) Selected portion of

the screen.

3. Click 4 Months - Fiscal and click the down arrow to move it to the Object(s) Selected portion

of the screen. You also can double-click an item to move it to the Object(s) Selected portion of

the screen.

Tutorial 19

Now you have the two D-Lists selected in the correct order (1 Overheads then 4 Months -

Fiscal).

4. Click OK

5. Type Americas Overheads in the D-Cube Name field, and then click OK. The Select dialog box

appears, which allows you to select a portion of the D-Cube to open. To open the entire cube,

click OK.

You have successfully created your first D-Cube.

The D-Cube WindowD-List item names are used as row, column, and page heading labels in D-Cubes.

Formula item names (the subtotals we defined) appear in black text, and detail item names are in

blue text. The same color coding is used for data within the D-Cube grid. See "Color Coding and

Saving the D-List" (p. 17).

Each D-List of a D-Cube is given a group box. The group box displays the name of the active item

in the D-List and includes a D-List color indicator. If you move the mouse pointer over a group

box, the D-List name appears.

Cell Manipulation - Optional

Click a single cell to select it, or select a cell by double-clicking a cell item in the group box.

20 Analyst

Chapter 4: Creating the Americas Overheads D-Cube

To select a range of cells, click the first cell of the range and drag to include the other cells. You

also can press the Shift key in conjunction with any of the keyboard shortcuts.

You can change the active cell using keyboard shortcuts. The most useful keyboard shortcuts are

as follows:

DescriptionShortcut Key

Move to beginning of current rowHome

Move to end of current rowEnd

Move to first cell in the grid (upper left corner)Ctrl+Home

Move to last cell in the grid (lower right corner)Ctrl+End

Move down one screenPage Down

Move up one screenPage Up

To change the contents of a cell, select the cell, change the contents, and press Enter. To cancel any

cell changes, press ESC rather than Enter.

Analyst has a standard color coding convention to show changed and unchanged data.

Changed DataUnchanged Data

pinkblueDetail Items

redblackFormula Items

This color coding extends to the row and column labels. This means you can see which items contain

changed data even if you cannot see the changed data itself.

Unprocessed data appears in green.

To view the formula associated with a cell (formula items only), select the cell and press F7.

Preparing the Americas Overheads D-Cube Sample DataPopulate the Americas Overheads D-Cube with sample data.

After you complete and check each overhead item, save the D-Cube by clicking Save from the Filemenu. If, at any stage, your results are different from the expected results, restore the last saved

version of the D-Cube by clicking Reset from the File menu and try the overhead item again.

Tutorial 21


Prepare the Draft Salaries Budget

The Salaries budget is $3,000,000 for the year, allocated evenly across the months.

Steps

1. In the Americas Overheads D-Cube, select the Full Year - Salaries cell and type 3,000,000.

2. Press Enter.

Analyst performs a breakback because you typed a number in a formula item (the Full Year

subtotal). The 3,000,000 you typed in Full Year allocates evenly over the months.

3. If the Full Year - Salaries cell is 3,000,000 and all the months are 250,000, save the D-Cube.

Otherwise reset it and then repeat from step 1.

The Saving dialog box appears.

4. To save the D-Cube, click Yes.

After saving, you will notice that all the data reverts to the blue and black colors showing the

data has been saved.

Prepare the Travel Budget

The Travel budget is $160,000 for the year, allocated across the months according to a profile. In

this case, the profile is the number of trips made in each month. In this example, the number of

trips builds to six in July and declines to zero in January.

Steps to Enter Monthly Travel Data

1. Select the Apr - Travel cell.

2. Type 3 in the cell, but do not press Enter.

Notice that the number 3 is green. This indicates the number is unprocessed. You can input

many numbers in the D-Cube grid before processing them (pressing Enter).

3. Select the May - Travel cell, and type 4 in the cell.

4. Repeat from step 3, typing the following data into the appropriate Months cell. This is the

travel profile that you will use to allocate the travel budget for the entire year.

22 Analyst


DataMonth

5Jun

6Jul

5Aug

4Sep

3Oct

2Nov

1Dec

0Jan

1Feb

2Mar

The numbers you just typed should appear in green.

Note: If you make a mistake when typing, you can reset an unprocessed (green) number to its

previous value by selecting the cell and pressing ESC. You also can change an unprocessed

number by typing a new value over it.

5. If the data is entered correctly, press Enter.

6. If the total number of trips in the Full Year - Travel cell is 36, save the D-Cube.

Otherwise, reset the D-Cube and try again.

Steps to Enter the Travel Budget for the Year

1. Select the Full Year - Travel cell.

2. Type 160K, and then press Enter.

Analyst allocates 160,000 over the months pro rata.

When typing numbers into a D-Cube grid, use the following suffixes: k (or K) for thousands

and m (or M) for millions. For example: 160k = 160,000.

3. If the Full Year - Travel cell is 160,000 and the Jun - Travel cell is 22,222 then save the D-Cube.


Tutorial 23


Prepare the Telephone Budget

The telephone budget is $15,000 for April, increasing by 10% each month.

Steps to Use the Grow D-Cube Command to Enter Telephone Budget

1. Select the Apr - Telephone cell.

2. Type 15K and press Enter.

3. In the same cell, enter grow10c.

4. Press Enter.

The remaining months increase 10% until the end of the year.

5. If the Full Year - Telephone cell is 320,764 save the D-Cube.


The Grow command must be followed by a growth percentage (10% in the above example)

and a growth type. Compound growth is indicated by a c after the growth rate, as in the above

example. Linear growth is indicated by an l after the growth rate. If you do not specify a type,

linear growth is assumed.

The Grow command only works with timescale D-Lists. This command can be entered as grow

or abbreviated to gr or g.

Prepare the Draft Electricity Budget

The electricity budget is $4,000 per month maximum. In the Americas, you use electricity for

heating, so the cost is less for the months of Apr - Sep.

Steps to Enter the Data Using the Copy Command.

1. Select the Apr - Electricity cell.

2. Type 4K> and press Enter.

The number 4,000 copies across all the months.

3. If the Full Year - Electricity cell is 48,000 and each month is 4,000, save the D-Cube.


Copy Data

Data can be copied using the following copying commands.

Copy CommandOperator

Copy right>

24 Analyst


Copy CommandOperator

Copy left<

Copy up^

Copy down|

Break:

These commands can be combined. For example, 4K>| copies the number 4,000 right and down.

You do not have to include the number to be copied with the copy command. For example, if you

type 4K and press Enter, you could copy this number to the right by typing only > in the cell and

pressing Enter.

Steps to Decrease the Electricity Costs in the Americas Summer Months

1. Select the Apr - Electricity cell.

2. Type dec5>, but do not press Enter.

3. Select the Jun - Electricity cell and enter dec10>.

4. Select the Sep - Electricity cell and enter dec5>.

5. Select the Dec - Electricity cell and enter a colon (:).

Note: Copy commands are terminated when they find another command or a colon. Copy

commands also are terminated by unprocessed numbers.

The graphic below shows the unprocessed commands in your D-Cube.

6. Press Enter.

Analyst decreases the initial $4,000 by 5% or 10% as requested.

7. If the Full Year - Electricity cell is 45,800, save the D-Cube.


Tutorial 25


Arithmetic D-Cube CommandsThere are eight arithmetic commands in Analyst, as outlined in the following table. Each command

must be followed by a number with which to perform the action. For example, dec10 decreases the

cell value by 10%.

FunctionAbbreviationCommand

add toaAdd

subtract fromsSubtract

multiply bymMultiply

divide bydivDivide

take % ofperPercent

increase by %incIncrease

decrease by %decDecrease

raise to powerpowPower

Prepare the Rent and Rates Budget

The Rent and Rates budget starts at $16,000 per month and increases by 20% in the second quarter.

Steps

1. Select the Apr - Rent and Rates cell.

2. Type 16K> and press Enter.

To implement the increase, you could type inc20> in Jul - Rent and Rates. However, another

way of accessing D-Cube commands is illustrated in the next step.

3. Select the range of cells: Jul - Rent and Rates to Mar - Rent and Rates.

4. Right-click within the selected range of cells and click Apply Commands.

5. Select increase from the command list.

6. Type 20 directly after increase in the text box to the right of the list, and then click OK.

Each cell in the selected range increases by 20% to 19,200.

Commands can also be applied to multidimensional D-Cube selections. This is done by using

Commands on the D-Cube menu and making D-Cube selections.

26 Analyst


If the Full Year - Rent and Rates cell is 220,800 and the Full Year - Total Overheads total is

3,747,364 then save the D-Cube. Otherwise, reset the D-Cube and try again.

You now have finished your first draft budget.

Adjust the Overheads BudgetYou receive bad news from the head office: your overheads budget for the year must not exceed

$3,700,000. You must adjust the budget accordingly.

Hold SalariesYou know you are committed to the salary levels you have budgeted, so you plan to hold the salaries

figure and impose the budget restriction.

Holds on cells prevent them from being changed by breakback. However, you can enter or edit

data in a held cell as usual. Held cells are indicated by a light blue background.

You can hold the value of a cell using one of the following methods:

● Type hold or h within the cell.

● Right-click on a selected range and select Hold.

● On the D-Cube menu, select Commands. This is useful for holding multidimensional sections.

You can release the hold on a cell by using one of the following methods:

● Type release or rel within the cell.

● Right-click a selected range and select Release.

● On the D-Cube menu, select Release All Holds. This command releases all holds within the

D-Cube.

Steps

1. Select the Full Year - Salaries cell.

2. Type hold and press Enter.

The Full Year - Salaries cell now should have a light turquoise background indicating that it is

a held cell.

Break Back the TotalBreakback the total to allocate the new budget total across all overheads. Salaries should not change

because of the hold placed on the salary total.

Steps

1. Select the Full Year - Total Overheads cell.

Tutorial 27


2. Type 3.7M and press Enter.

A breakback is performed, allocating the 3,700,000 across all overheads pro rata according to

their previous values. All salaries figures should remain unchanged (blue).

The Full Year figures now should be: Salaries 3,000,000; Travel 149,816; Telephone 300,578;

Electricity 42,868; Rent and Rates 206,738; Total Overheads 3,700,000.

Hold the Grand Total and Reset Rent and RatesThe results of this breakback show that you cannot achieve this saving on Rent and Rates. Therefore,

you now need to hold the grand total and reset Rent and Rates.

Steps

1. Select the Full Year - Total Overheads cell.

2. Type hold and press Enter.


4. Type reset> and press Enter.

The Reset command resets cells to their saved value.

All the numbers in Rent and Rates now should be blue.



Decrease Rent and RatesThe budget for your remaining three overheads now is too low. Lower the rent and rates by 10%.

Steps


2. Type dec10> and press Enter.



Save and Close the Americas Overheads D-CubeHolds are saved with a D-Cube file, so it is best to release all holds before saving unless you are

sure you want them.

Steps

1. On the D-Cube menu, click Release All Holds.

2. Save and close the D-Cube.

28 Analyst


Your budget now is complete. You have seen how to use Hold and Release in conjunction with

breakback, and you have been introduced to the Reset command.

Tutorial 29


30 Analyst


Chapter 5: Creating the 2 Divisions D-List

In this chapter, you will build your third D-List. This D-List will contain a list of divisions within

the company (Americas, Northern Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe and Asia Pacific) with

a subtotal (Total Company).

Create a new D-ListBuilding the 2 Divisions D-List is much the same as building the 1 Overheads D-List, so the following

instructions are brief. If you need more detail, refer to the relevant step for the 1 Overheads D-List.

Steps


2. Type the following names into the Enter item names section, pressing Enter after each:

Americas

Northern Europe

Central Europe

Southern Europe

Asia Pacific

Total Company

3. Click OK.

The D-List editor appears with the six items listed.

Define the SubtotalDefine the total company subtotal as a sum calculation of each division.

Steps

1. Select the Total Company - Calculation cell.


3. Click Paste.

4. In the Select items for calculation dialog box, click OK to select all the items.

Remember that selecting nothing means to select all.

5. Click Apply.

Tutorial 31

Color Code the D-List (optional)Since the Divisions D-List is a geographical D-List, it should be green.

Steps

1. Click the D-List Color Indicator.

2. Click the light green color.

Name, Save, and Close the D-ListFinalize and close the 2 Divisions D-List.

Steps


The Save D-List As dialog box appears.

2. In the D-List Name field, enter 2 Divisions, and then click OK.


You now have finished the 2 Divisions D-List.

32 Analyst

Chapter 5: Creating the 2 Divisions D-List

Chapter 6: Creating the 1 Profit and Loss D-List

In this chapter, you will build your fourth and last D-List--a simplified Profit and Loss (P&L)

statement.

Create the 1 Profit and Loss D-ListCreate the 1 Profit and Loss D-List to create a simplified P&L statement with calculations other

than subtotals.

Steps


2. Type the following item names, pressing Enter after each:

Units Sold

Unit Price

Sales

Margin %

Margin

Overheads

Profit

Profit %

3. Click OK.

The D-List editor appears with the eight items listed.

Define the Sales FormulaSales is calculated by multiplying Units Sold by Unit Price. Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst expresses

the Sales calculation as the following:

+{Units Sold}

*{Unit Price}

Steps

1. Select the Sales - Calculation cell.


Tutorial 33

3. Click Paste.

The Select dialog box appears.

4. Select Units Sold and Unit Price.

5. Click Move>> to transfer these items to the Items included section.

Tip: You also can double-click an item to move it. It is placed after the first selected item. If

no item is selected, it is placed at the end of the list.

6. Click OK.

The D-List editor calculation field now should contain +{Units Sold} and +{Unit Price} as shown

below.

7. Replace the plus sign (+) in front of {Unit Price} with an asterisk (*).

The calculation field now should contain the following:

+{Units Sold}

*{Unit Price}

8. Click Apply.

The Sales Calculation cell now contains an equal sign (=) to show that it is a formula.

34 Analyst


Define the Margin FormulaMargin is calculated as a percentage of Sales. The item, Margin %, contains the margin percentage

to use. Analyst expresses the Margin calculation as follows:

+Sales

%{Margin %}

Steps

1. Select the Margin - Calculation cell.

2. Click Paste.

The Select dialog box appears.

3. Select Sales and Margin %.

4. Click Move>> to transfer these items to the Items included section, and then click OK.

The D-List editor calculation field now should contain +Sales and +{Margin %} as shown

below.

5. Replace the plus sign (+) in front of {Margin %} with a percent sign (%).


+Sales

%{Margin %}

Tutorial 35


6. Click Apply.

Define the Profit FormulaProfit is calculated as Margin less Overheads. Analyst expresses the Profit calculation as follows:

+Margin

-Overheads

Steps

1. Select the Profit - Calculation cell.

2. Click Paste.

3. Select Margin and Overheads.

4. Click Move>> to transfer these items to the Items included section, and then click OK.


+Margin

+Overheads

5. Replace the plus sign (+) in front of Overheads with a minus sign (-).


+Margin

-Overheads

6. Click Apply.

Define the Profit % FormulaProfit % is calculated as Profit as a percentage of Sales. Analyst expresses the Profit % calculation

as follows:

+Profit

/Sales

*100

Steps to set the calculation

1. Select the Profit % - Calculation cell.

2. Click Paste.

3. Select Sales and Profit.

4. Click Move>> to transfer these items to the Items included section.

36 Analyst


For this formula, Profit must come before Sales.

Steps to reorder the items

1. Select Profit from the Items included list.

2. Click the up arrow so Profit appears before Sales, and then click OK.


+Profit

+Sales

Tip: You can reorder items by using the arrow keys or by using Sort. Sort allows you to sort

alphabetically, reverse alphabetically, or in the original D-List order. To sort items, you must

select them first.

3. Replace the plus sign (+) in front of Sales with a forward slash mark (/).


+Profit

/Sales

4. Type *100 below /Sales.


+Profit

/Sales

*100

5. Click Apply.

Name, Save, and Close the D-ListFinalize and close the 1 Profit an Loss D-List.

Steps


2. Type 1 Profit and Loss in the D-List Name field and click OK.


The 1 Profit and Loss D-List now is completed. You will return to this D-List later to make

adjustments and learn some new concepts.

Tutorial 37


38 Analyst


Chapter 7: Creating the Profit and Loss D-Cube

In this chapter, you create a second D-Cube named Profit and Loss. The Profit and Loss D-Cube

contains three D-Lists (1 Profit and Loss, 2 Divisions, and 4 Months - Fiscal).

You already have used the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List in the Americas Overheads D-Cube, and you

will use it again in the Profit and Loss D-Cube. Sharing D-Lists in this way is a key strength of

Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst. Any changes you make to a D-List are reflected in all D-Cubes that

use the D-List. For example, if you add quarterly subtotals to your 4 Months - Fiscal D-List, they

immediately become available in both the Profit and Loss and the Americas Overheads D-Cubes.

Create the Profit and Loss D-CubeCreate the Profit and Loss D-Cube to contain three D-Lists (1 Profit and Loss, 2 Divisions, and 4

Months - Fiscal).

Steps

1. From the File menu, click New, D-Cube.

2. Make sure the Test library is selected.

3. Select 1 Profit and Loss and click the down arrow key to move it to the Object(s) Selectedsection.

Note: Remember that the order you select D-Lists is important.

4. Repeat step 2 for 2 Divisions and then for 4 Months - Fiscal, and then click OK.

5. Type Profit and Loss in the D-Cube Name field, and click OK.

6. Click OK to open the entire D-Cube.

The Three-Dimensional D-Cube WindowThe Profit and Loss D-Cube window looks a little different from the Americas Overheads D-Cube.

This D-Cube has an extra group box, which represents the pages D-List.

Tutorial 39

For any D-Cube with three or more dimensions, the D-Cube window has one rows D-List and one

columns D-List. Each of the remaining D-Lists are pages D-Lists. Later in the Tutorial, after you

have populated the D-Cube with data, you will see how to view data in a three-dimensional D-Cube.

You have successfully created the Profit and Loss D-Cube. Leave the Profit and Loss D-Cube open.

40 Analyst

Chapter 7: Creating the Profit and Loss D-Cube

Chapter 8: Creating the

ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-Link

In this chapter, you will transfer the Americas division’s Total Overheads from the Americas

Overheads D-Cube into the Profit and Loss D-Cube. To do this, you create and execute a D-Link.

You also will see how to use drill down to trace data that was transferred using a D-Link. You will

drill down on Americas division’s Overheads, which opens the Americas Overheads D-Cube.

This section also deals with limited and saved selections of D-Cubes. This facility allows you to

hide certain rows, columns, or pages and save this selection for later use.

What Is a D-Link?D-Links transfer data between D-Cubes or between external sources and D-Cubes. External sources

include ASCII files and sources that have an ODBC driver such as SQL databases, dBase files, MS

Access, and Excel. For information on importing data using ODBC, see the Cognos Planning -

Analyst online help.

Create the ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-LinkCreate the ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-Link to transfer the Total Overheads from the

Americas division into the Profit and Loss D-Cube.

Steps

1. Make sure that Profit and Loss D-Cube is open.

2. From the File menu, click New, D-Link.

The D-Link editor appears.

Note: The target for this D-Link automatically defaults to the Profit and Loss D-Cube because

this D-Cube is open and active.

3. Click Source and select D-Cube.

4. Select Americas Overheads and click OK.

Pair D-Lists Within a D-LinkThe selected source and target dimensions must be paired by D-Lists. D-Lists can be paired using

an Allocation Table or Match Descriptions.

Tutorial 41

The Allocation Table allows you to specify any pairing of source and target items. Allocation tables

support many-to-one allocations, in which many source items are consolidated into one target item

and one-to-many allocations, in which one source item is allocated to more than one target item.

Match Descriptions automatically matches D-List items with the same name. If one D-List is used

in both the source and target D-Cubes, the source D-List and the target D-List are paired

automatically.

After pairing the D-Lists, you frequently are left with unpaired D-Lists. You must select the required

items from unpaired D-Lists. In an unpaired source D-List, you select the item containing the data

you require. If you select more than one item, data from all the selected items is consolidated when

the D-Link is executed. In an unpaired target D-List, you select the items into which you want to

put the data.

In our example, the source D-List Americas Overheads and the target D-List Profit and Loss will

be paired using a simple Allocation Table. You are pairing these two D-Lists because they are both

calculation (white) D-Lists. Generally, source and target D-Lists belonging to the same class are

paired.

Steps to Pair the Americas Overheads and Profit and Loss D-Lists With an Allocation

Table

1. Select the source D-List 1 Overheads.

Note: When a D-List is selected, its item details appear.

2. Click CRTL+ the target D-List 1 Profit and Loss.

The D-Link editor now should look like the following:

3. Click Allocate items.

The D-Lists now are paired, but the way the D-List items are matched must be indicated. You

need to bring Total Overheads from the Americas Overheads D-Cube into Overheads in the

Profit and Loss D-Cube.

42 Analyst

Chapter 8: Creating the ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-Link

Note: Allocation Table pairings are indicated by red and green arrows. Match Descriptions

pairings are indicated by a yellow arrow.

4. Click the Total Overheads item in the source D-List.

5. Click the Overheads item in the target D-List.

You have just defined a single line of the allocation. The D-Link editor now should look like

the following:

Note: To delete an Allocation Table entry, drag over the source and target D-List items and

then press Delete.

Because there is no source D-List to pair with the target D-List 2 Divisions, the target items of

this D-List must be selected. The Profit and Loss D-Cube contains Profit and Loss data for all

five divisions in the company. This D-Link is bringing in the Americas division’s Overheads

budget. This data belongs in the Americas division’s Profit and Loss only. Therefore, you should

select only Americas as the target item in the 2 Divisions D-List.

Steps to Select the Target Items in the 2 Divisions D-List

1. Click the target D-List 2 Divisions.

2. Select Americas and click the Select button.

The Selected item(s) field appears with Americas listed.

Note: If Americas is not in the Selected items field, highlight Americas on the right, and click

the left arrow to move it to the Selected items field.

The D-Link editor now should now have Americas listed under Selected item(s).

Steps to Name, Save, and Close the D-Link


2. Type ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads in the D-Link Name field, and then click OK.

Tutorial 43


3. You are asked if you want to add this link to the Update Link table of the target D-Cube. Click

Yes and click OK in the Update List box.


You now have created the ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-Link.

Execute a D-LinkExecute the D-Link to transfer the Americas Overheads data into the Profit and Loss D-Cube.

Steps

1. From the D-Cube menu, click D-Links, Run.

2. Select the ProfitAndLoss<AmericasOverheads D-Link and click Execute.

3. If the Overheads Total is 3,700,000 and the Profit is (3,700,000), save the Profit and Loss

D-Cube.

You also can execute an open and active D-Link directly. On the D-Link menu, click Execute.

The target D-Cube does not need to be open to execute a D-Link this way. Use this method

also when you want to run a D-Link only once and not save it.

You have transferred data successfully from Americas Overheads to Profit and Loss.

Drill Down to Another D-CubeSuppose you are interested in the breakdown of the first quarter’s Overheads figures in the Profit

and Loss D-Cube.

Steps

1. Select the Apr, May, and Jun- Overheads cells.

2. From the D-Cube menu, click Drill Down.

A breakdown of the total overheads for each of the selected months appears from the Americas

Overheads D-Cube.

Note: You can open a D-Cube in full or take a limited selection. A limited selection includes

only some of the items from the D-Lists of the D-Cube. For example, the Americas Overheads

D-Cube, which was opened by Drill Down, was opened as a limited selection.

View, Edit and Save Limited SelectionsYou can save a limited selection of a D-Cube, such as the small portion of Americas Overheads, as

a Saved Selection. These selections are viewed, edited, and saved by clicking Selections on the

D-Cube menu.

44 Analyst


To illustrate, look at the current selection of the open Americas Overheads D-Cube.

Steps

1. From the D-Cube menu, click Selections, Reselect.

The Reselect dialog box appears. On the Overheads page, note that all the items are in the

Items included list.

2. Click the 4 Months - Fiscal tab.

Notice that only three items (Apr, May, Jun) are in the Items included list.

3. Select Jul, then click Move>> to transfer it to the Items included list, and then click OK.

The Americas Overheads D-Cube selection now includes July data.

4. This selection can now be saved for reuse. To do this, on the D-Cube menu, point to Selections

and click Save current. Under Selection Name, type Americas Overheads Selection, and click

OK.

5. Close the Americas Overheads D-Cube.

6. Save the Profit and Loss D-Cube.

You have finished looking at limited selections and saved selections.

Tutorial 45


46 Analyst


Chapter 9: Creating the Profit and Loss Data File

Map

In this chapter, you will create a file map for an ASCII file. A sample ASCII file named Tutorial.csv

is provided. The Tutorial.csv file is usually located in the TutorialGO folder of your Cognos 8

Planning - Analyst directory. For example, if Analyst is installed on the C:\ drive, the file is located

in the C:\Program Files\Cognos\c8\samples\<language>\Planning\TutorialGO folder.

What is a File Map?A file map translates ASCII files so they can be used by a D-Link. You specify which columns in

the ASCII file correspond to the D-Lists in your Analyst model and which columns contain the data

to transfer.

Create the Profit and Loss Data File MapCreate the Profit and Loss Data File Map to import data from an ASCII file into the Profit and Loss

D-Cube.

Steps

1. From the File menu, click New, File Map.

The Select ASCII File dialog box appears.

2. Select the Tutorial.csv file and click Open.

The first page of the File Map Editor appears.

If Tutorial.csv is not automatically displayed, navigate to the TutorialGO folder, for example:

Program Files\Cognos\c8\samples\<language>\Planning\TutorialGO.

3. Because the Tutorial.csv file is comma delimited, make sure that Delimited is selected, and then

choose Comma.

4. Because the first row of this file contains column headings, click Use row as column names.

Note: Do not change the row number from the default setting of 1 since the column headings

in this example are in row 1.

The Map dialog box now should look like the following:

Tutorial 47

5. Click Next.

You now see the second Map dialog box, which indicates where the breaks were inserted

between each column of data.

6. Click Next. The final Map dialog box appears.

7. Select the Use Regional Settings check box to respect settings for the thousand and decimal

separators.

Define the Column TypesThe Specify column drop-down box defines column types. There are three column types: Use for

selection, which defines columns that correspond to D-Lists in your model; Use as data, which

defines columns that contain data; and Skip, which defines columns to exclude from import.

By default, all columns are marked as Use for selection, so you only need to identify the data columns

and the columns to skip. In this example, the P&L Line and Division columns correspond to D-Lists

within your model, so they stay marked as Use for selection.

Steps

1. Click the Version column heading.

2. In the Specify column list, select Skip.

Columns that are to be skipped appear with a dark gray background.

3. Click the Apr column heading and drag to Mar, selecting all of the months columns.

48 Analyst

Chapter 9: Creating the Profit and Loss Data File Map

In the Name field, the following appears: 12 Items.

4. In the Specify column list, select Use as data.

Name, Save, and Close the MapFinalize and close the map file.

Steps


2. Type Profit and Loss Data in the File Map Name field, and then click OK.


You have finished creating the Profit and Loss Data File Map.

Tutorial 49


50 Analyst


Chapter 10: Creating the

ProfitAndLoss<ProfitAndLossData D-Link

In this chapter, you will import data from the Tutorial.csv ASCII file. This file contains the sales

data (Units Sold, Unit Price, and Margin %) for all five divisions.

Now that you have mapped this ASCII file, you can create a D-Link with the Profit and Loss Data

file map as the source, and the Profit and Loss D-Cube as the target. You must create this D-Link

and then execute it.

Finally, you will see how you can use drill down to look at the source data in a mapped ASCII file.

Creating the ProfitAndLoss<ProfitAndLossData D-LinkCreate the ProfitAndLoss<ProfitAndLossData D-Link to match and allocate data from a mapped

ASCII file into the Profit and Loss D-Cube.

Steps

1. Make sure the Profit and Loss D-Cube is open in Full mode.

2. From the File menu, click New, D-Link.

The target for this D-Link automatically defaults to the Profit and Loss D-Cube since this

D-Cube is open and active.

3. Click Source.

4. Click Mapped (ASCII) File.

5. Select Profit and Loss Data and click OK.

You return to the D-Link editor.

The D-Link editor treats the columns (dimensions) of a mapped ASCII file like D-Lists. In this

example, the first two dimensions (DIVISION and P&L LINE) are the two Use for selection

columns. The last dimension is called DATA, which is a grouping of all Use as data columns

identified in the file map.

Tutorial 51

Pair the Data dimension with the 4 Months - Fiscal D-ListPair the Data dimension with the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List to match source and target data

dimensions.

Steps

1. Select the source dimension DATA.

2. Click CRTL + the target D-List, 4 Months - Fiscal.


3. Click Match descriptions.

The Data and 4 Months - Fiscal dimensions now are paired by Match descriptions, as indicated

by the yellow arrow.

Pair the P&L Line dimension with the 1 Profit and Loss D-ListPair the P&L Line dimension with the 1 Profit and Loss D-List to allocate source and target data

dimensions.

Steps

1. Click the source dimension P&L Line to select it.

2. Press Ctrl + the target dimension 1 Profit and Loss.

3. Click Allocate items.

52 Analyst

Chapter 10: Creating the ProfitAndLoss<ProfitAndLossData D-Link

In the D-List details section, a blank allocation table appears. You must specify the

correspondence of items. In the following steps, you will allocate the items from the source

D-Cube to the target D-Cube.

4. From the D-Link menu, click Allocation Table, Match descriptions.

This matches item names found in both the source and target dimensions (Margin %, in this

case) and includes them in the allocation table. Make the following matches:

● Select Sales Volume from the source dimension P&L Line.

● Select Units Sold from the target dimension 1 Profit and Loss.

● Select Sale Price from the source dimension P&L Line.

● Select Unit Price from the target dimension 1 Profit and Loss.


Pair the Division Dimension with the 2 Divisions D-ListPair the Division dimension with the 2 Divisions D-List to match the divisions source and target

data dimensions.

Steps

1. Select the source dimension DIVISION.

2. Click CRTL + the target D-List 2 Divisions.

3. Click Match descriptions.

The D-Link dialog box now should look like the following:

Tutorial 53


Execute the D-LinkExecute the D-Link to transfer data from the Tutorial.csv file into the Profit and Loss D-Cube.

Steps

1. From the D-Link menu, click Execute.

2. The Profit and Loss D-Cube now should display the new data brought in from the Tutorial.csv

file.

3. Click the Page: 2 Division group box.

4. Double-click the Northern Europe page.

Drill Down to a Mapped ASCII FileFind the derivation of Margin for the Northern Europe division in Apr.

Note: The Profit and Loss D-Cube still should be open on the Northern Europe page.

Steps

1. Select the Apr - Margin cell.

2. From the D-Cube menu, click Drill Down or press F9.

The rows of the Tutorial.csv file used to make up this value display in a text viewer.


You have finished importing data into the Profit and Loss D-Cube. Leave the Profit and Loss

D-Cube open.

54 Analyst


Name, Save, and Close the D-LinkFinalize and close the D-Link.

Steps

1. Click the D-Link window to make it active.


3. Type ProfitAndLoss<ProfitAndLossData in the D-Link Name field, and then click OK.

4. You are asked if you want to add this link to the Update Link table of the target D-Cube. Click

Yes and then OK.


The Profit and Loss D-Cube should be active.


You now have finished creating the D-Link from Tutorial.csv to the Profit and Loss D-Cube.

Tutorial 55


56 Analyst


Chapter 11: Revisiting the Profit and Loss D-Cube

In this chapter, you will learn how to:

● Page through and take slices from a three-dimensional D-Cube.

● Define D-List items as weighted averages to correct certain D-Cube problems.

● Change the format of D-List items using Saved Formats.

● Use a Built-in Function (BiF).

Page Through a Three-Dimensional D-CubeThe Profit and Loss D-Cube has three dimensions (D-Lists). The first two make up the rows and

columns; the third makes up the pages. Each dimension is shown in the Page, Columns, or Rows

group box. Click the group box to view any D-List item in each page, columns, or rows D-List.

Steps

1. Make sure the Profit and Loss D-Cube is open.

2. Click the Page: 2 Divisions group box.

3. Double-click the item you want.

In a D-Cube with more than three dimensions, there is more than one pages D-List. You can

select an item from any of the pages D-Lists as described above.

Tip: Use your keyboard arrows to move up and down to the next item in the pages D-List.

Slice a Three-Dimensional D-CubeThe orientation of an open D-Cube is known as the slice. When you open a D-Cube, a default slice

is taken--the timescale D-List (where present) forms the columns, the longest D-List (that is, the

D-List with the most items) forms the rows, and any remaining D-Lists form the pages.

Therefore, the Profit and Loss D-Cube opens with the following slice: Profit and Loss by Months,

with Divisions as the pages D-List (that is, the 1 Profit and Loss D-List forms the rows, the 4 Months

- Fiscal D-List forms the columns, and the 2 Divisions D-List forms the pages).

Steps to Change the Slice

1. Select the Apr - Units Sold cell.

2. Point to the color indicator of the pages D-List group box.

Tutorial 57

3. Click and hold the color indicator.

4. Drag and position the arrow over the 4 Months - Fiscal D-List group box.

5. Release the mouse.

Profit and Loss now appears with 2 Divisions as the columns and 4 Months - Fiscal as the

pages.

The active page in the new pages D-List is determined by the item in this D-List that was active

before changing the slice. In the above example, the Apr page is active because the Apr - Units

Sold cell was selected before the slice was changed.

Steps to Select a Page Item as you Change the Slice

1. Move the pointer over the color indicator of the pages (4 Months - Fiscal) D-List group box.

2. Click and hold the color indicator.

3. Drag and position the arrow over the Northern Europe column heading and release the mouse.

Profit and Loss now appears with 4 Months - Fiscal as columns and Northern Europe as the

pages.

Weighted Averages in the 1 Profit and Loss D-ListYou may have noticed that some data in the Profit and Loss D-Cube is not calculated correctly.

For example, look at the Northern Europe division page of the Profit and Loss by 4 Months - Fiscal

slice of the Profit and Loss D-Cube. The Full Year figures for three of the items in the 1 Profit and

Loss D-List (Unit Price, Margin %, and Profit %) are incorrect. Correct these problems by defining

these items as weighted averages.

Weighted averages usually are defined when you initially create a D-List.

To determine what item to weight by, the formula A = B / C is used, where A is the formula item.

Item A should always be weighted by item C.

Note: Remember that A = B / C can also be expressed as B = A * C.

Steps to Define Unit Price as a Weighted Average

1. Open the 1 Profit and Loss D-List.

To open this D-List from the open Profit and Loss D-Cube, right-click the 1 Profit and Loss

D-List group box (Units Sold) and click Edit D-List.

2. Select the Unit Price - Calc. Option cell.


4. In the Calc. Option section, select Weighted Averages.

5. In the Items to weight by list, select Units Sold.

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Note: In the P1 Profit and Loss D-List, Sales is calculated from Unit Price multiplied by Units

Sold. You can rearrange the relationship between these items to be {Unit Price} = Sales / {Units

Sold}. Therefore, Unit Price should be weighted by Units Sold. In the equation A = B / C; A is

always weighted by C.

6. Click Apply.

The D-List editor should now look like the following:

Steps to Define Margin % as a Weighted Average

1. Select the Margin % - Calc. Option cell.


3. In the Items to weight by list, select Sales.

Note: Margin is calculated as Margin = Sales % {Margin %}. This could be rearranged as

Margin % = {Margin} / Sales * 100. Therefore, Margin % should be weighted by Sales.

4. Click Apply.

Steps to Define Profit % as a Weighted Average

1. Select the Profit % - Calc. Option cell.


3. In the Items to weight by list, select Sales.

Tutorial 59


Note: Profit % is calculated as Profit % = Profit / Sales * 100. Therefore, Profit % should be

weighted by Sales.

4. Click Apply.

5. Save the D-List.

The Full Year totals now are calculated correctly.

You have finished setting up the weighted averages in the P&L D-List.

Change Formats in the P&L D-ListNow you need to change the numeric format for some items in the 1 Profit and Loss D-List. Unit

Price should appear in the D-Cube with two decimal places, and Margin % and Profit % should

appear as percentages with two decimal places.

Steps to Change the Numeric Format for Unit Price

1. Make sure the 1 Profit and Loss D-List is active.

Tip: If a D-List is open but not visible, on the Window menu, select the name of the D-List.

2. Double-click the Unit Price - Format cell or click Change item attributes.

The Attribute section of the D-List editor appears.

3. From the Attribute list, select Numeric.

4. In the Decimal Places field, increase the number of decimal places to 2.

5. Click Apply.

Notice that Numeric appears in the D-List editor to indicate that a numeric format is set for

Unit Price.

Steps to Assign a Percentage Format

1. Select the Margin % - Format cell.

2. In the Attribute list, select Numeric.

3. In the Decimal Places field, increase the number to 2.

4. In the Negative Suffix field, type a percent sign (%) before the bracket.

5. In the Positive Suffix field, type a percent sign (%).

The D-List editor now should look like the following:

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Steps to Save a Format

1. In the D-List editor, click Save.

The Save Saved Format As dialog box appears.

2. Type Percent 2dp in the Saved Format Name field, and then click OK.

You return to the D-List editor. The saved format name appears at the top of the bottom half

of the D-List editor.

After you save a format, you can use it in any D-List. Click Load on the format screen of the

D-List editor to load a saved format.

Do not apply the saved format yet. You could click Apply now, and the saved format would

be applied to the item Margin %, however, let’s apply this format to both Margin % and Profit

% also.

Steps to Apply a Format to More Than One Item

1. Click Assign.

The Select items to apply active format dialog box appears.

2. In the Items available list, select Margin %.

3. Click Move>> to transfer Margin % to the Items included section.

4. Repeat step 2 for Profit %, and then click OK.

You now are in the D-List editor. Notice that the Saved Format is applied to both the Margin

% - Format cell and the Profit % - Format cell.

Tutorial 61


5. Save the 1 Profit and Loss D-List.

6. Select the Profit and Loss D-Cube to make it active.

You should see the effects of the formats you have set.

Add a Cumulative Profit ItemIn this section, you insert an extra item to calculate the Cumulative Profit figure in your Company

P&L.

● Add the item Cumulative Profit to the 1 Profit and Loss D-List.

● Use the Cumulative Built-in Function (BiF) to calculate the Cumulative Profit figure in the 1

Profit and Loss D-List. This cannot be done using standard D-List calculations since a time lag

is involved.

● Adjust the time totaling for the Cumulative Profit item so the Full Year gives the correct result.

Steps to Add an Item to the 1 Profit and Loss D-List


2. From the D-List menu, click Add Items, Input.

The Input new Items dialog box appears.

3. Type the item, Cumulative Profit.

4. In the Where drop-down box, click Bottom, and then click OK.

You return to the D-List editor. Cumulative Profit appears at the end of the item list.

Steps to Assign the Cumulative BiF

1. Select the Cumulative Profit - Calculation cell.

2. Make sure the Attribute form is still open. If not, click Change item attributes.

3. Click BiF.

The BiF Function Wizard--Step 1 of 2 screen appears.

4. In the Function Name list, select Cumul.

5. Click Next.

The BiF Function Wizard--Step 2 of 2 screen appears.

6. In the Items drop-down box, select All.

All the D-List items listed should appear, including Profit.

7. Double-click Profit to move it to the Original text box.

This selects the original series of data for which you want to calculate the cumulative total.

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8. Click Finish.

You now exit from the Function Wizard and return to the D-List editor. The Calculation field

should contain @Cumul(Profit).

9. Click Apply.

The Cumulative Profit Calculation cell now contains BiF, indicating that the Built-in Function

was set up successfully.

10. Save the D-List.

11. Select the Profit and Loss D-Cube to make it active.

You should be able to view the new Cumulative Profit figures.

You have successfully added an item to the 1 Profit and Loss D-List and defined it as a

Cumulative BiF.

Adjust the Time Totaling for Cumulative ProfitNotice that in the Profit and Loss D-Cube, the item Full Year sums the figures in the new Cumulative

Profit item. You want Full Year to show the Cumulative Profit as the last month of the financial

year. However, it currently adds up figures that are already cumulative totals, giving an incorrect

result.

Steps


2. Select the Cumulative Profit - Calc. Option cell.

3. Make sure the Attribute form is still open. If not, click Change item attributes.

4. Select Time Averages.

5. Select Last period in the Available functions list.

6. Click Apply.

7. Save and close the D-List.

After closing the 1 Profit and Loss D-List, the Profit and Loss D-Cube is active. You will see

that Full Year - Cumulative Profit is no longer a sum of the months but is equal to Cumulative

Profit in Mar, the last period of the financial year.

Tutorial 63



9. Close the 1 Profit and Loss D-List and the Profit and Loss D-Cube.

You have completed the Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst Tutorial.

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Index

A

Allocation Table option, 41, 52

arithmetic D-Cube commands, 26

B

best practices, 5

breakback, 22

C

cells

color coding, 20

editing, 20

holding, 27

selecting, 20

viewing formulas, 20

cell selection, 20

closing D-Lists, 14

color coding, 17

cells, 20

D-Lists, 32

column types, defining in file maps, 48

commands, applying to multidimensional D-Cube

selection, 26

compound growth, 24

Copy command, 24

copying D-Cube data, 24

copyright material

printing, 6

D

D-Cube commands

arithmetic, 26

Copy, 24

Grow, 24

Hold, 27

Reset, 28

D-Cubes

cell manipulation, 20

cell selection, 20

creating, 19

defined, 19

drill-down, 44

holding cells within, 27

keyboard shortcuts, 20

limited selections, 44

limited selections, saving, 44

paging, 57

selecting D-List pages, 57

slicing, 57

three-dimensional, 39

D-Cube window, 20

three-dimensional, 39

D-Links

creating, 41

defined, 41

executing, 44

D-Lists

color coding, 17, 32

creating, 11

defined, 11

detail items, 11

editing, 11

formats, 60

formulas, 11

naming, 14

numeric formats, 60

order of, 19

pairing in D-Links, 41

percentage formats, 60

subtotals, defining, 12

time averages, 63

timescale, 15, 24

weighted averages, 58

drill-down, 44

drilling down

to a mapped ASCII file, 54

E

editing cells, 20

Tutorial 65

executing D-Links, 44

F

file maps

column types, defining, 48

creating, 47

defined, 47

finding information, 6

formats

in D-Lists, 60

numeric, 60

percentages, 60

saving, 61

formulas

defining, 33

viewing, 20

G

Global Customer Services Web site, 6

Grow command, 24

H

help

getting, 6

Hold command, 27

holding cells, 27

holds

removing, 27

I

information

finding, 6

L

limited selections, saving, 44

linear growth, 24

lists

formulas, 33

M

mapped ASCII files

drilling down to, 54

Match Descriptions option, 41, 52

N

naming D-Lists, 14

numeric formats, 60

P

paging in D-Cubes, 57

percentage formats, 60

printing copyright material, 6

R

related documentation, 6

Reset command, 28

S

saving

D-Lists, 14

formats, 61

slicing

D-Cubes, 57

subtotals in D-Lists, 12

T

time averages, 63

timescale D-Lists, 15, 24

defining, 16

time totals, adjusting, 63

U

unprocessed numbers

changing, 23

resetting, 23

W

weighted averages, 58

66 Analyst

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51295724 Cognos Tutorial

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Transcript of 51295724 Cognos Tutorial