Transitioning from Perspectives to IBM Planning Analytics for Excel

• What are the interfaces in PAx and how does it relate to Perspectives
• How to log onto the TM1 Server via PAx
• How to analyse Cubes
• How to find reports created in the Application folder
• How to use the set (subset) editor

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Screenshots are based on Excel 2016 + IBM Planning Analytics 2.0.6 / TM1 Server 11.4

PAx contains the same reports provided in Perspectives, as shown in the mapping table below. Not only has the name changed, the interface have changed too. For instance, with the Cube Viewer, there are two interfaces that are similar in PAx. An ‘out of Excel’ interface called the Viewer and one in Excel called Exploration. Both can be used to analyse a Cube. Despite these differences, if a Sliced report was created in Perspectives, it will still work as a Custom Report in PAx. The same also applies to reports that utlise Active Forms.

Quick Report is the newest addition to PAx. Use this type of Excel report to quickly analyse multiple cubes and enhance the report by adding formulas and formatting.

Excel is the interface for PAx to query the TM1 Server. Here are the steps to add PAx into Excel.

Open Microsoft Excel → select a ‘blank workbook’ → select the ‘IBM Planning Analytics’ ribbon

If the ribbon ‘IBM Planning Analytics’ does not appear go to ‘File’ → ‘Options’

Customize Ribbon → turn on ‘Developer’ → OK

Go to the ‘Developer’ tab → select ‘COM Add-Ins’ → turn on ‘IBM Framework for Office’ → OK

Now we are ready to set up our connection to the TM1 Server. From the IBM Planning Analytics ribbon, select ‘Options’

Select ‘add’ to create the TM1 connection.

Select ‘IBM’ in the navigation pane

Choose the datasource type ‘IBM Planning Analytics’ → for the Connection URL, enter the details to the TM1 Server (http://:) → enter a friendly name for the connection → Click ‘Test connection’ → Click ‘Save’

Once the connection is saved → click on ‘OK’

Let’s connect to the TM1 Server. Click ‘Connect’ → Select the friendly connection name → select the TM1 Server

Enter the username and password to access the TM1 Server

Exploration is one of the quickest way to analyse a Cube.

From the task pane find the Cube you want to analyse → right-click on the View → select ‘Exploration’ → select ‘On this sheet’

In Exploration, dimensions can be stacked and pivoted in the Work Area based on these areas:

• Row
• Column
• Title

For example, to analyse the Account dimension by Year, all that needs to be done is move the ‘Year’ dimension over to the Row area.

To save the view so it can be accessed again, click on the ‘save’ button.

Enter a name for the view and choose if this is for the public (administrators can only do this) or private for yourself.

All Excel reports created in Perspectives that have been stored under the Application folder are automatically available in PAx. Here are the steps to find the Application folder.

Go to IBM Planning Analytics → Open

Double-click on the TM1 Server

The Application folder is located here.

The Set is the same as Subset in Perspectives. The Set is used to find and return elements to the view. Here is an overview on the Set layout.

As an example on how to use the Set, let’s find and return all employees under Engineering.

Use the search bar to find the ‘Engineering’ element.

Right-click on ‘Engineering’ → select ‘Insert member with leaf nodes’

The ‘Current Set’ pane now contains all leaf elements under ‘Engineering’. To save the Set for future reference, use the ‘save’ button. If you want to return this Set back to the view, select ‘Apply and close’.

If you want to learn more about how to use PAx as an end-user, we offer two training courses to upskill your knowledge. Head here to find out more (link).