Data Visualisation with SAP Lumira

MOTIVATION

LEARNING METHOD

This material is an
introduction to how to
develop data visualisations
utilising SAP Lumira. It is
aimed at students at
universities and other
educational institutions with
limited experience with
Business Intelligence.

The learning method used is

guided learning. The
benefit of this method is that
knowledge is imparted
quickly. Students also
acquire practical skills and
competencies. As with an
exercise, this method
explains a process or
procedure in detail.

It can be used in the

classroom or for self-study.
On completion of the course,
students will be able to
understand the basic
concepts of data visualisation
with this tool.

Exercises at the end enable

students to put their
knowledge into practice.

The material also serves as a

reference for occasional
users of SAP systems.

Product
SAP Lumira
Level
Beginner
Focus
Data Visualisation
Author
Paul Hawking
Version 1

A trial version of SAP Lumira is available at http://saplumira.com/download/

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Sanjiv Basal (SAP) for his inspiration and support in creating this tutorial.

April 2015

SAP Lumira
SAP Lumira is a self-service data visualisation solution that allows analysts and decision makers to
access, transform, and visualize data. The SAP Lumira desktop is used to prepare data from multiple
sources, visualize it, and then compose stories from those visualizations that can be shared with other
decision makers.

Data Set
The data set was sourced from the New South Wales Governments Bureau of Crime Statistics and
Research. The dataset is a subset of data that contains records of the different criminal offences in
different location in the state for the years 2012 and 2013. The full data set is available at
http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/
Opening SAP Lumira
1.

Choose Start Programs SAP Business Intelligence SAP Lumira SAP Lumira.

The SAP Lumira Welcome screen appears.

Notice that the screen displays a workflow of the functionality available in SAP Lumira. The first step
of the workflow is to Acquire Data.

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The first step in visualising data using SAP Lumira is to is import the data. You create a document which
acts as a container for data and visualizations. You identify a data source and then connect to it and
copy the data from the source to the document. The resulting dataset is the basis of your visualisations.
You can extend a dataset by merging or appending it with other compatible datasets. One document
can contain multiple datasets

1. Click

to identify the data you want to work with.

A dialog screen is displayed which identifies various Data Sources which data can be acquired form.
A number of the Data Sources are not available with the personal edition of SAP Lumira.

For the purpose of this tutorial you will be using data from a Microsoft Excel Data Source.

2. Click

to select this Data Source.

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3. Click

to display the Open dialog screen.

The tutorial is based on the Crime data.xlsx Data Source. Your workshop leader will
provide the location details of this file.

4. Click

5. Click

Crime data.xlsx to select it.

to display a sample of the data contained in the selected file.

This screen displays some metadata about the selected file including, Name, Location, and structure.
Through this screen you can modify the dataset to be analysed by de-selecting columns. The dataset
includes the month in which the crime occurred (Date), where the crime occurred (Location), the crime
category (Offence), additional crime details (Subcategory), and the number of this type of crime
occurred in the location for that month (Incidents).
6. Click Show record count to display the number of records to be acquired. 101807
records

7. Click

to acquire and load the data from the Data Source.

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The SAP Lumira Visualize screen appears

The SAP Lumira screen is divided into a number of panels.

Screen Area
Measures and Dimensions
panel

Purpose
This panel is used to view, sort, select, and filter the data in a
visualisation. Data is grouped into facets that represent categories
of data (for example, customer name, location, and offence). Facets
can be dragged directly to the Chart Canvas or to Shelves.

Chart Picker

This panel enables a user to select the type of chart to use in the
visualisation.

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Shelves

This panel contains shelves where to drag a facet (Measure,

Dimensions) to update the Chart Canvas automatically.

Chart Canvas

This panel is used to create, modify, or explore a visualisation. To

build a chart, drag Measures and Dimensions either directly to the
Chart Canvas or to Shelves.
You can quickly adjust the content and appearance of a visualization
using the toolbar in the upper right corner of the Chart Canvas. The
toolbar contains the following buttons:

Sort: Organizes chart data by measure.

Add or edit a ranking by measure: Focuses the chart

on a certain number of the highest or lowest dimension
members.

Clear Chart: Removes all dimensions and measures

from a chart and any filters applied only to the chart.

Refresh: Refreshes the chart data.

Settings: Sets the chart properties.

Visualisation Gallery

Re-prompt: Opens the prompt dialog box for data with

SAP HANA variables or input parameters so that you can
select new prompt values.

Maximize: Expands the Chart Canvas to full-screen

mode.

This panel is used to create new visualisations and to select

between visualizations in a story

Notice that SAP Lumira has already analysed the semantics of the data and has determined the
Measures to be analysed and the Dimensions which are going to be used as a basis of analysis.

SAP Lumira has also detected Dates

, Geo-locations

, Text

and Numbers

in the dataset.

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Before the dataset can be visualised you need to enrich the dataset using the functionality contained
in SAP Lumira. The tool enables you to edit and clean the data, create calculations, convert data to
another data type, create geography and time hierarchies, and add or merge another dataset. To
access this functionality:

8. Click

You have decided to create a time hierarchy. A hierarchy enables you to quickly navigate realted
data. An example of a hierarchy would be

9. Click

Date in the Dimension list to select it.

Notice that an Options icon appears adjacent to the Date Dimension.

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10. Click

11. Click

the Date Dimension Options icon

to display the Context Menu.

to display the available options.

Notice that the screen now displays various Date options which have been created to assist with the
analysis of the dataset.

SAP Lumira has automatically created a Time Hierarchy based on Year, Quarter, Month and Day.
Now you can analyse the dataset.

12. Click

to return to the visualisation options.

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Notice that the new Time Hierarchy now appears in the Dimension list.

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SAP Lumira enables you to add graphical descriptions of your data with charts and tables from the
palette of charts. The visualisations can be used to plot meaningful relationships and to show data
trends. Visualisations can be combined to create stories with boards, infographics, and reports. Input
controls can be used to filter data, text, shapes, and images to describe your data on the presentation
dashboards.

Requirement 1
The first requirement is to create a bar chart to display the total crimes per year.
You create a visualisation by adding the Measures and Dimensions to either the Shelves or the
Chart Canvas.
13. Click

next to the X Axis in the Shelves panel to display the available facets.

As you are using a bar chart visualisation measures (Incidents) are used on the X Axis.
14. Click

Incidents to select this Measure and add it to the bar chart.

Notice that the bar chart in the Chart canvas is updated automatically.
15. Drag

to the Y Axis Shelve.

Again notice that the bar chart in the Chart canvas is updated automatically. You will notice that
there is not much difference in the number of crime incidents between 2012 and 2013. You can a
more accurate indication by moving your mouse over each bar.

What were total crime incidents in 2012 .and 2013 ?

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Requirement 2
You want to drill down and view the total crime incidents for each Quarter in each Year.
As you previously created a Time Hierarchy you can use this hierarchy to drill-down through your
dataset.
16. Move

17. Click

18. Click

the mouse over

to display the drill-down icon.

to display the Time Hierarchy.

Quarter to select this time component and update the bar chart.

Notice that the facet changes in the Shelve to indicate the new criteria

Which Quarters had the highest total crime incidents? .

It appears that most crime offences occur in Quarters 1 and 4 of each year. This requires further
investigation.

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Requirement 3
You want to drill down and view the total crime incidents for each month in the highest each
Quarters in each Year.
Rather than edit your current bar chart you will create a duplicate bar chart to apply the filter to.
19. Click

20. Choose

in the Visualisation Gallery to display a context menu.

Duplicate.

A duplicate bar chart appears in the Visualisation Gallery.

21. Click

Quarter 1 2012 bar to select it.

You will notice that a context menu appears with a number of options. Although
is one of the
options, the requirement is to create a filter based on a number of quarters. To achieve this you
select the other quarters using the <CTRL> click technique
22. <CRTL> Click Quarter 2 2012, Quarter 1 2013, Quarter 2 2013 bars to select them.
23. Click

to only display data related to these time periods.

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Notice that the new Filter appears at the top of the Chart Canvas. You can remove a filter at any
time by clicking

of the corresponding filter.

You now want to view the crime data for each Month in the selected Quarters.

24. Move
25. Click
26. Choose

the mouse over

to display the drill-down icon.

to display the Time Hierarchy.

Month to Filter the data by this time component.

The crime data is now displayed for each Month in the selected Quarters. The way the data is
displayed makes it hard to determine the differentiation between different Months. You can rearrange the data on the chart based on a ranking (highest to lowest).
27. Click

on the toolbar to apply a ranking (lowest to highest).

28. Click

on the toolbar to apply a ranking (highest to lowest).

You will notice that January 2013 had the highest crime incidents in NSW. But what crimes were
committed?
29. Click
30. Click

January 2013 bar to select it and display the context menu.

to only display data for this Month.

Notice that the new Filter appears at the top of the Chart Canvas. You now need to include the
Offence category dimension in your chart.
31. Drag

to your displayed Chart.

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Notice that the chart is now updated.

Obviously highest crime incidents are associated with Theft. However there are many different types
of Theft. Further investigation is needed.
32. Click

Theft bar to select it and display the context menu.

33. Click

to only display data for this crime.

34. Click
35. Click

next to the Y Axis in the Shelves panel to display the available facets
Subcategory to choose this dimension.

The chart is update automatically. However it would be easier to make comparisons if the bars were
labelled. This can be achieved by removing the Month from Y Axis as it already exists in the Filter.

36. Remove

from the Y Axis.

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The chart indicates that Fraud is the major Theft crime. However is an anomaly for the selected Time
period?
37. Remove

all Time related filters.

What were the major difference in crime incidents trends for January compared to the total
time period? .

You need to save your visualisations.

38. Choose

File Save to display the Save dialog screen.

39. Type

Tutorial <your name> in the Name: text field.

40. Type

My first SAP Lumira tutorial in the Description: text box

41. Click

to complete the process.

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Requirement 4
You want to view the total crime incidents related to liquor for different time periods and
locations.
You firstly need to create a new visualisation.

42. Click
43. Add

in the Visualisation Gallery to create a new visualisation.

the following Dimensions and Measures.

44. Create a Filter where Offence category = Liquor offences.

Your chart appears similar to below:

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SAP Lumiras Chart Picker panel enables you to easily visualise your data using a range of formats.
You want to view Liquor offences over a time period to identify any trends.

45. Click

of

46. Click

to display the various chart options.

to select this option.

The chart changes to a line chart. However because there are only two data points it is not very
informative.
47. Move
48. Click
49. Click

the mouse over

to display the drill-down icon.

to display the Time Hierarchy.

Month to select this time period.

The chart is much more informative with more data points displayed.

Which Months have the highest liquor related total crime incidents and why?

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Now it is time to determine if there is a relationship between Liquor offences and Location.
50. Click

of the current chart in the Visualisation Gallery to display a context menu.

51. Choose

Duplicate.

A duplicate bar chart appears in the Visualisation Gallery.

52. Click
53. Click

next to Legend Colour to display the Dimensions.

Location to select it an update your chart.

Your chart contains a lot of non-relevant data (non-data ink) which makes hard to interpret.
54. Remove

Offence Category from Legend Color Shelve.

It still difficult to interpret the data but it does appear that certain locations have spikes in Liquor
related offences. Maybe looking at the top 5 locations in terms of Liquor related offences may provide
some insight to trends.

55. Click
56. Edit

57. Click

on the toolbar to display the Ranking dialog screen.

the screen to as follows:

to apply the ranking to the chart.

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Your chart appears similar to below:

Are there any locations which different Liquor related offence trends over time? Any
suggestions why?

We are going to examine a particular Location (Byron).

58. Click
59. Choose

of the current chart in the Visualisation Gallery to display a context menu.

Duplicate.

To filter on Location = Byron:

60. Click

to display the context menu.

61. Click

to display only Liquor offences committed in Byron.

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It is apparent that a significant number of Liquor related offences occurred in November 2012/2013.
A google search might provide the context information to explain this. It would be expected that due
to alcohol there would be associated criminal offences especially drug offences at such an event.
62. Remove

the Liquor offences filter.

63. Remove

the Ranking filter

64. Add

Offence category to the Legend Color Shelve.

The chart is currently too busy to interpret. Adding a Ranking may help.

65. Click
66. Edit

67. Click

on the toolbar to display the Ranking dialog screen.

the screen to as follows:

to apply the ranking to the chart.

The chart does not appear to show a relationship between Liquor offences and other offences.
However the volume of Drug offences distorts the scale. If this type of offence was excluded it might
improve the visualisation and show some relationships.
68. Click
69. Click

to display the context menu.

to remove this offence from the chart.

Notice that the exclusion appears with the other Filters.

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Are there any other offences related to Liquor offences over time?

There appears to be a relationship between Liquor offences and Disorderly conduct offences. To
highlight this you need to exclude the other Offence categories. This achieved through using a Filter.
70. Remove

the Ranking Filter.

71. Remove

the Offence category Filter.

It is easier to create a new Offence category filter than edit the existing one.
72. Create a new Offence category filter including Liquor offences and Disorderly conduct
offences.
Note:

If the Offence category appears with strike through then Click

21

and select Include.

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Your chart shows a relationship between the 2 types of offences at Byron over the time period.

73. Choose

File Save to save your work.

Test Your Skills and create the following chart.

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At the moment you have created a number of visualisations which focus on different aspects of crime
statistics in NSW. Although these visualisations can be viewed in the Visualisation Gallery it maybe
more informative if some visualisations were viewed together on one page. The Compose Room
provides this functionality. The Compose Room enables a user to create a story about the dat. A
story is a presentation-style document that uses visualizations, text blocks, pictures, graphics, and
input controls to describe data. A story can include multiple pages, and each page can have its own
layouta board, infographic, or report.
You have decided to create a story about the Liquor related offences and their impact on Byron using
some of the visualisations you have created.
Requirement 5
You want to view the total crime incidents related to liquor for different time periods and
locations on one page to convey a particular story.

74. Click

to move to the Compose Room.

A dialog screen appears enabling you to select the story format you require.
75. Type

Byron Liquor Offences to replace New Story as the title of your story.

You have decided to use the Blank Board format for your story.
76. Click

The Compose room screen appears.

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Notice that the previously prepared visualisations appear on the left of the screen.
77. Edit

the title to Byron Liquor Offences

You now need to insert your first chart to the story board.
78. Drag

the Incidents by Month chart to the story board.

Your screen should appear similar to below.

If a chart is updated in the Visualize room then it will automatically be updated in the story.
79. Drag

Top 5 Incidents on Location . chart to below the previous chart.

You now have 2 charts in your story.

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Although you understand the story the visualisations is trying to convey, others may not be able to
gain the same understanding without annotations.

80. Click
81. Drag

to display the text options.

Simple Text to above the first chart.

82. Type Liquor related offences in NSW for each month in 2012/2013. There are spikes in
offences in December of each year.
83. Re-size the text box.

84. Insert the following text above the next Incidents by location chart and resize the text boxThe top 5 locations for Liquor related offences indicates that Byron has a spike in offences in
November of each year. This corresponds with the influx of approximately 10,000 school
leavers for their end of school celebrations
You now need to add another chart to the story which indicates the implications of the Liquor related
offences in Byron. You could add the chart to the existing page but it will make it difficult to interpret
the existing information. You need to add another page to your story.
85. Click
The Page Type dialog screen appears. Instead of adding the final Byron chart you are going to add
an interactive report.
86. Select Blank page type.
87. Click

88. Drag Incidents by Offence category and Month chart you created in Test Your Skills
exercise to the story board.
You are now going to insert an interactive Input Control to your story. You will be able to select
values in the Input Control and it will update the associated chart.

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89. Click

to select it.

You will notice above these controls the various Dimensions are displayed.

90. Drag

to the story board below the chart.

The story board appears similar to below.

It is important that you test you Input Control.

91. Click

one of the Offence categories to update your chart.

Again you need to add an annotation to your story board to highlight insights.
92. Insert the following text above the chart - There is a relationship between Liquor offences
and Disorderly conduct offences
93. Update your chart only to display Liquor offences and Disorderly conduct offences.
94. Edit

the Board Title to Criminal Offences in Byron 2012/2013

95. Click

Preview to view the page without the panels.

96. Choose

File Save to save your work.

Test Your Skills and create an Infographic which contains some of your visualisations. Try
adding some graphics to enhance your story.

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You have created a number of visualisations and an associated story. SAP Lumira provides a range
of functionality to share these with colleagues. To share your content with others:

97. Click

to display the various share options.

Many of these options require solutions to be installed and/or you having an account. In a later
tutorial you will share your story to SAP Lumira Cloud.

You have now completed the tutorial on SAP Lumira. This tutorial was designed to provide an
introduction to this data visualisation tool and provide the fundamental skills to visualisations.

Resources
There are many resources available on the internet that can further enhance your skills. A good place
to start is at the SAP Community Network.
SAP Lumira Home Page
http://help.sap.com/lumira
SAP Lumira Online Tutorials.
http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-26507
There are numerous Youtube video tutorials

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April 2015