I have a variable for Current Year and Previous Year. I am creating some reports that have a lot of expressions in them that are dependent upon one or both of these variables. I am trying to figure out what is the best way to filter a report by just Current Year. Should I used a calculated dimension? Should I put the variable in each expression? I want to be consistent and utilize the best practice. Can someone please explain what is the best practice here?
Not really. If you have a variable that defines "Current Year" in a numerical format (i.e. not as an expression) then you better use something like:
=Sum({$<Year = {$(vCurrentYear)}>} Sales)
This technique will perform a $-sign substitution before evaluating the expression. It allows you to change the value of the Current Year without changing any expression.
I don't think a specific example will make much of a difference. I'm just looking at it from an overall perspective.
Store
Sales
Revenue
1
$1,000,000.00
$500,000.00
2
$2,000,000.00
$1,000,000.00
3
$3,000,000.00
$1,500,000.00
4
$4,000,000.00
$2,000,000.00
5
$5,000,000.00
$2,500,000.00
Take something as simple as this. This data includes values from all years. I want to be able to limit it to only the Current Year. Is it best to use a calculated dimension, define the variable in each expression, or some other way?
IMHO the easiest way to limit a chart to diplay just data for the current year is to use set analysis. But then again, I have no clue what the circumstances are.
Not really. If you have a variable that defines "Current Year" in a numerical format (i.e. not as an expression) then you better use something like:
=Sum({$<Year = {$(vCurrentYear)}>} Sales)
This technique will perform a $-sign substitution before evaluating the expression. It allows you to change the value of the Current Year without changing any expression.
