Greetings, SAP Community!

This May 4th, the force is strong with our latest product update. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to eliminate bugs and deploy new features that make your experience smoother than ever. Whether you're here for the big reveals or the subtle refinements, we’ve got plenty of news to share.

To catch up on our earlier releases, simply browse through the PaPMCloudUMWhatsNew tag.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the highlights from April.

 

MODEL

Model Entity Runs Writer After Data Changes Using “Run after Save” Validation Type 

A new Relation type is now available in the Model Entity within the SAP PaPM Cloud Universal Model. This enhancement allows users to automatically run a Writer function whenever a specific set of properties is configured. 

To enable this behavior, simply configure the desired Writer in the Target Model, and set the Validation Type to “Run after Save” with the Type set to “Association to One”. Once these conditions are met, the Writer will run automatically after the entity is saved—no manual running is required. 

This update streamlines data processing workflows and reduces the need for repetitive manual steps, helping users to keep models consistent and efficient. 

To know more about Relations in SAP PaPM Cloud Universal Model, kindly check the blog post Introduction to Relations in SAP PAPM Cloud Universal Model. 

Configuring the Relation for Automatic Writer Execution 

To take advantage of this enhancement, users can now configure everything directly in the Model Entity > Relations section. When switching to Edit mode, the system now provides Writer functions in the Target Model field.  

And the newly introduced Validation Type: “Run after Save” is now also available upon selecting the dropdown menu. 

After selecting the Writer function to be run automatically, set the Type to “Association to One”. Once this is defined, the user can proceed to configure the Join Condition, just as they would for any other relation. 

The example below illustrates how to successfully create a relation that uses “Run after Save” together with a Writer defined in the Target Model. 

 

Note: If the user selects “Composition of Many” or “Association to Many” while also assigning a Writer in the Target Model and choosing “Run after Save” as the Validation Type, the system displays a validation message. Only “Association to One” is supported for this scenario. 

 

There are several situations in which the Writer can be run automatically. Let’s take a closer look at these scenarios. 

Scenario 1: Running Writers When Adding or Editing Entries in the Data Screen 

If a Model Entity is configured with Transport Data = No and without Restriction, users can manually create or edit one or more entries in the Show Data screen. Upon saving, all Writer functions configured in Model Entity Relations with “Association to One” and “Run after Save” as the Validation Type will be run automatically.

If multiple relations in the same Model Entity use “Run after Save”, the Writers are run sequentially based on their naming order. 

In the example shown, WR01 will run first, followed by WR02 and WR03. 

This scenario demonstrates how users can leverage the new capability when adding a single data record in the Data Screen of a Model Entity that includes a relation to a Writer configured with “Association to One” and “Run after Save”. 

 

Note: The standard behavior of Writer functions remains unchanged. For example, if a Writer is configured with “Delete and Insert”, the Result Model data is deleted first, and only the newly generated data is inserted. 

 

Scenario 2: Running Writers When Importing Data via Activity Data Screen

To import data through Activity: Data Screen, the corresponding Process must be in Active status, and a comment containing the file to be imported must be created in Manage Comments.  

For more details on using Manage Comments, refer to the SAP Help Portal. 

Just like in the first scenario, when users select Import Data via Activity, all Writer functions configured in the Model Entity Relations with “Association to One” Type and “Run after Save” as the Validation Type are run automatically. 

After choosing Import Data, users can select the desired Write Mode for the import. In the example below, “Delete and Insert” is used. Once the import is performed, all configured Writers run automatically in sequence. 

 

The resulting data generated by the Writer becomes available according to the Writer’s configured settings. This ensures that the output reflects the exact behavior defined in the Writer function.

Note: The automatic running of Writer functions also applies when working with field selections and nested mapped fields. This ensures consistent behavior across all supported configuration patterns. 

 

Scenario 3: Running Writers When Using Import Data or Erase Data in the Model Entity 

If the Model Entity is configured with Transport Data = Yes, users can also perform Import Data and Erase Data actions directly from the Model Entity. These actions will automatically run all Writer functions defined in the related “Association to One” and “Run after Save” relations. 

Note: All execution details can be reviewed in Manage Event Logs by checking the event type runAfterSave. 

As a final remark, activating the environment does not automatically run Writers. Writer running occurs only through supported actions such as manual data changes, imports, or erase operations, and when manually choosing the Run button. 

 

Easier Currency Rounding with ROUND_CURRENCY()

A new HANA-based formula function ROUND_CURRENCY() has been introduced to make your work easier by automatically rounding the values according to a specific currency. This is available in functions with Formula Editor in SAP PaPM Cloud Universal Model, such as:

• Calculation and Model Calculation
• Join and Model Join (predicates)
• Model Entity and Model View (relations)

How to use it?

ROUND_CURRENCY(, )

• Value: This can be a Key Figure or Amount type field. Number to be rounded.
• Currency_Code: Specifies the currency used for rounding. This can be a Characteristic type field containing a currency code, for example, ‘USD’ or ‘JPY’.

 

Example Scenario: Using in ROUND_CURRENCY() in a Calculation Function

This example focuses on the following fields to be calculated:

• Amount – Amount (AMT_AMT) is an Amount Type Field with Currency Field (CH_CURR) maintained.
• Amount – Double (KF_DBLAMT) is a Key Figure Type Field and Double Data Type.
• Currency (CH_CURR) is a Characteristic Type Field and String Data Type.

Calculation configuration

This calculation rule configuration uses the ROUND_CURRENCY formula with the variables Amount – Amount Field and Amount – Double Field as the value, and Currency Field as the currency code.

The Result

The system automatically knows exactly how to handle different global standards:

• For Japanese Yen, ROUND_CURRENCY(123.456789, JPY) becomes 123 JPY that uses whole numbers.
• For US Dollars, ROUND_CURRENCY(-123.456789, USD) becomes -123.45 USD that uses two decimals.

 

PROCESS

Improved Transfer Behavior of “Replace” option in Activity Links 

In the Activity Links of a Process, the behavior of Transfer Selections and Transfer Parameters when set to the “Replace” option has been improved. This option can exhibit the following behaviors: 

• Replace behavior – When Activity Fields and Parameters exist in both the source and target activities, they are replaced. 

• Retain behavior – When Activity Fields and Parameters are unique to the target activity, they are retained. 
• Insert behavior – When Activity Fields and Parameters are unique to the source activity, they are inserted into the target activity. 

Source Activity 

Target Activity 

Activity Link Configuration 

Target Activity – Upon Confirm 

For more information, see Activity Workflow Configuration – Transfer Selection and Transfer Parameters.

 

REPORT

Add Calculated Field for Data Screen and Show Element in Reports 

We are introducing Add Calculated Field, which allows users to generate a new column in Data Screen and Show Elements in Reports whose value is based on a formula defined by the user. This feature introduces support for creating, displaying, and using calculated fields directly. 

In Data Screen, expand the Columns pane and choose the “+” (Add Calculated Field) icon to create a calculated field. A pop-up dialog will appear, allowing the user to define the name and description of the new column. Upon choosing Next, an editor will be shown, where the user can enter a formula (for example: Quantity * UnitAmount) to calculate values dynamically. Choose Save to see the results instantly in the grid, which can also be viewed on the object page.  

The user can modify the calculated field’s description or formula by choosing the pencil icon when hovering over the calculated field in the expanded Columns pane.  

This behavior is also available in Show Element in Reports. 

NOTE: To save the created calculated fields, users must save a new layout in Data Screen and must be in Edit mode in Show Element in Reports. 

Through this new feature, calculated fields make it easier to analyze and visualize custom calculations without modifying the underlying Model Entity.

 

Hierarchy Chart in Advanced Charts 

We are introducing the Hierarchy chart type in Advanced Charts, available in both Show Screen and Show Elements in Reports. This enhancement allows users to create and visually explore hierarchical structures and relationships based on table data. 

  

Users can configure the Hierarchy chart using categories (row groups) to define hierarchy levels, values to display numeric key figures, and target categories (column labels) to represent relationships between nodes. The chart correctly renders nodes, groups, links, tooltips, layout direction, and dynamic sizing, with consistent behavior in both Pivot and Non‑Pivot modes.  

 

The Hierarchy chart can be fully configured using the right‑side configuration panel and the Edit Chart menu (Settings, Data, and Format tabs), supporting different chart styles and advanced layout options. Configured charts can be saved as a Layout, with the setup retained after page refresh.  

This functionality is also available in Show Elements in Reports, enabling consistent hierarchical visualization across analysis screens and reports. 

For more information, see Create Range Chart.

 

Report Navigator for Efficient Report Navigation

A new Report Navigator panel is now available in reports to help users navigate through extensive report structures more efficiently. In the Report Screen, choose the Navigation button to open the Report Navigator.  

In collapsed mode, only the icon is visible. When expanded, the panel appears on the left side of the screen while preserving the main working area. 

The Report Navigator works in both display and edit modes and always reflects the current state of report items. You can use the Report Navigator to switch between report tabs and navigate directly to a selected page element or tag. 

The panel provides a structured hierarchy of the following elements: 

• Search Bar 
  Use the search bar to find report elements.  
• Page/Tab Titles 
  Choose a page title to navigate to the corresponding page. 
  Expand the page to display its inner elements:  
  • Activities 
    Expand the Activities group to display all activities within the selected page. 
    Choose an activity to open the corresponding activity object page. 
    Choose the More option (three dots) to access available actions, such as “Show Rules”, “Show Data”, “Show Activity”, “Show Event Log”, “Run”, “Confirm”, “Reject”, and “Add Comment”.  
  • Page Elements 
    Expand the Page Elements group to display all page elements within the selected page. 
    Choose a page element to navigate directly to it.  
  • Tags 
    Expand the Tags group to display all anchors within the selected page. 
    Choose an anchor title to navigate directly to the corresponding section within a page.  

All items in the Report Navigator include icons for easier identification and navigation. The items are listed in the Report Navigator based on their descriptions. 

For more information, see Report Screen > Navigation. 

 

Export All Data with Flexible Configuration

Users can now use the Export All Data option in the context menu to export up to 10,000 data records, including their current configuration. 

In the Data Screen, choose Export All Data to open the export configuration dialog. 

The following options are available: 

• File Type 
  Select the file format for the export:  
  • “CSV” – exports all data records in CSV format  
  • “XLSX” – exports all data records in Excel format  
• Column Heading Format 
  Select how column headings are displayed:  
  • “Technical ID” – uses field IDs as column headings  
  • “Descriptions” – uses field descriptions as column headings  
• Apply Current Filters and Sorting 
  By default, the export reflects the current filter and sorting settings. 
  Switch off this option to export data in the default format.  
• Numbers Only 
  By default, this option is switched off. 
  Switch it on to export numeric values separately from their corresponding currency or unit columns. 

Note: This is also applicable for Show Elements in Reports. 

For more information, see Data Screen > Context Menu Options > Export. 

 

That wraps up our updates for early May!

New month, new features. We’re excited to see how you put these tools to work. Stay tuned to the blog for more tips and tricks throughout the month, and as always, thanks for being part of our journey!