Export Business Objects to CSV
Overview
Welcome to your comprehensive guide on exporting Business Objects to CSV format. Business Objects is a powerful suite for business intelligence, and exporting its reports to CSV files unlocks a plethora of opportunities for data analysis and manipulation, particularly when brought into spreadsheet applications such as Excel. On this page, we will explore what Business Objects is, detail the steps for exporting reports to a CSV file, discuss various use cases for exporting to CSV, introduce an alternative method for exporting using Sourcetable, and provide a helpful Q&A section to address common inquiries about the process. Whether you're looking to improve performance by exporting only the data you need, or seeking to analyze a large dataset with ease, this resource is designed to enhance your understanding and efficiency in handling exports from Business Objects.
What is Business Objects?
SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence is a suite of tools designed to help businesses with data reporting, visualization, and sharing. Developed by SAP, it is a comprehensive software tool that serves as the on-premise Business Intelligence (BI) layer for SAP’s Business Technology Platform. This suite offers a centralized service that transforms data into actionable insights, available anytime and anywhere.
The architecture of SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence is flexible, catering to a range of business sizes and needs. It can support growth from a small number of users to tens of thousands and is capable of handling an expansion from a single tool to multiple tools and interfaces. Its versatility is evident in its availability both on-premise and in the cloud, with the on-premise version requiring a perpetual license and the cloud version accessed through a private cloud with a subscription model.
SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence also presents a scalable service solution, allowing organizations to license and pay only for the specific functionality and number of users they require. This aspect of SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence underscores its adaptability and cost-efficiency, making it a strategic investment for businesses seeking to enhance their data management and analysis capabilities.
Exporting Business Objects to a CSV File
Using Business Objects Client
To export a report to CSV from the Business Objects client, select the "CSV (data only)" option. This will export the raw universe data into a CSV file without any of the report's formatting, filters, or aggregations.
Using the RESTful API
For exporting the "view" of a report as seen in the Business Objects client, you can use the RESTful API. This method returns the actual CSV file. Note that you must have a WACS server with the RESTful API service running in your BusinessObjects environment. Remember, the RESTful API cannot be deployed on an external Java application server.
Import Business Objects Directly into Sourcetable
Utilizing Sourcetable offers a seamless experience for handling Business Objects by allowing you to bypass the cumbersome process of exporting to CSV and then importing to another spreadsheet program. Sourcetable's ability to sync live data from virtually any application or database negates the need for manual data export. This ensures that your data is always up-to-date and reflective of real-time changes, giving you a significant edge in business intelligence.
With Sourcetable, the automation of data importation from multiple sources into a single, easy-to-use spreadsheet interface eliminates the risk of human error commonly associated with the traditional export-import cycle. This streamlined approach not only saves valuable time but also enhances the accuracy of your data analysis. By choosing Sourcetable, you leverage the benefits of advanced automation, making your workflow more efficient and your insights more reliable.
Common Use Cases
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Use case 1: Extending and personalizing SAP applications by exporting Business Objects data for additional customizationB
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Use case 2: Performing advanced data analysis in Excel with data exported from Business ObjectsB
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Use case 3: Reducing the necessity for complex Excel analysis by providing ready-to-use data through CSV exportB
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Use case 4: Enhancing performance by utilizing CSV exports, which may be more efficient than other export formatsB
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I export to CSV in Webi?
In Web Intelligence, you can export to CSV by selecting the 'CSV (data only)' option, which focuses on the data in the Web Intelligence microcube.
How do I hide the header rows when I export to CSV in Webi?
The CSV export feature in Web Intelligence does not provide an option to exclude header rows; it will export the data as is from the microcube.
Is it possible to exclude the header row when I export to CSV in Webi?
No, it is not possible to exclude the header row when exporting to CSV in Webi; the export includes all the data from the microcube.
Can I schedule reports to be delivered via ftp as a CSV file?
Yes, scheduled reports can be delivered via FTP as a CSV file or as a CSV Archive, which is a Zip file containing a CSV for the active report.
Conclusion
Exporting a Business Objects report to a CSV is a straightforward process. Whether you choose "CSV (data only)" for a format-free version of your data, a CSV archive for the active report, or utilize the RESTful API for direct CSV file retrieval, the options are designed to cater to different needs in BI 4.1 SP05 and later. However, if you're looking for an even more efficient way to handle your data, consider using Sourcetable to import data directly into a spreadsheet, bypassing the need for exporting altogether. Sign up for Sourcetable today to streamline your data management and get started on a more productive path.
