Creating a Date Filter in SAP Business Objects

To create a filter in SAP Business Objects for a report column that includes dates from the last 12 months up to the current date, you can use a relative date function within the query filter. This approach ensures that the data remains up-to-date dynamically as time progresses.

Steps to Set Up the Date Filter

1. Open your report in SAP Business Objects.
2. Navigate to the query panel where you can define or modify the data source and queries.
3. Locate the column that contains the date data you want to filter.
4. Right-click on the column and select "Filter".
5. In the filter definition area, choose the "Greater Than" option from the comparison operators.

Using a Formula to Define the Time Frame

1. Enter the formula to calculate the date that is 12 months prior to the current date:

   • For universes using Oracle SQL: >add_months(current_date, -12)
   • For universes using SQL Server: >DATEADD(month, -12, GETDATE())
   • For other SQL dialects: Adjust the function accordingly based on the SQL dialect used by your database.

2. Validate the formula to ensure there are no syntax errors and that it complies with your database's SQL dialect.

Finalizing and Testing

• Apply the filter and run the report to ensure that it only includes records from the past 12 months.
• Check a few date entries manually to confirm that the filter is working correctly.

Additional Tips

• Always review the results after setting up new filters to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• If your reports are viewed by others, consider adding a description or note in the report about the date range being used, so users are aware of the filtered data scope.

By following these steps, you will effectively create a dynamic date filter that automatically updates, keeping the data relevant and focused on the past 12 months.