As customer interest grows in determining the most suitable Excel-based plug-in from SAP for their needs, it becomes crucial to understand the distinctions between two key offerings: SAP Analysis for Office (AfO) and the newer SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel. This blog aims to provide clarity on these tools to assist you in making an informed decision.
SAP Analysis for Office, first released in 2010, has continuously evolved with updates and improvements to enhance its functionality and performance. Over the years, it has become a robust tool for analyzing SAP data within Excel, enabling the creation of interactive reports, identification of trends and patterns, and performance of complex calculations within a familiar interface.
SAP Analysis for Office data sources include SAP BW systems, SAP HANA, and SAP S/4HANA Cloud. Additionally, it can connect to SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and SAP Datasphere, although there are some restrictions when using new models, which will be discussed later.
There are two versions of Analysis for Office: the Standard Edition and the SAC Edition. The primary differences between these versions are licensing and adding additional add-ins such as Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC), and PowerPoint integration. The EPM add-in can also be installed separately in the SAC Edition. It is important to note that the SAC Edition requires mandatory SAC authentication before accessing any other connections. This article focuses on Analysis for Office and the Analysis plug-in.
Introduction to SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel
New key figure models in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and analysis models in SAP Datasphere are exclusively supported by the SAP Analytics Cloud, Add-In for Microsoft Excel. This add-in, introduced in 2020, facilitates seamless integration between SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP Datasphere, and Microsoft Excel.
With this add-in, users can conduct their analyses within Excel, leveraging data sourced from standardized databases in SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere. This integration ensures that reports and analyses remain consistent across various departments, minimizing confusion and potential errors. Utilizing a single version of the data streamlines the process of maintaining data accuracy. However, it is worth noting that the add-in does not yet offer the full range of features available in Analysis for Office.
For simplicity, this article will refer to the add-in as the SAC add-in, which should not be confused with the SAC Edition for Analysis for Office.
Comparison
Both SAP Analysis for Office (AfO) and the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Add-In for Microsoft Excel are designed to display SAP data in Excel, but they have notable differences. Let’s delve into these differences in detail.
Key Differences
This component consolidates financial data from various SAP and non-SAP systems into a single, unified source. It simplifies transactions, reporting, and deployment, enabling faster ROI and supporting phased migrations to S/4HANA.
Installation:
- SAP Analysis for Office (AfO): To install AfO, you must download the installer from the SAP website. It supports Office versions 2010, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Office 365.
- SAC Add-In: The SAC add-in is installed via the Microsoft Store and is compatible only with Office 2021 and Office 365. This method is simpler, allowing the plug-in to be ready for use with just a few clicks, and it applies to both the desktop and web versions of Excel.
Licensing:
- AfO: Requires a Business Objects license.
- SAC Add-In: This requires an SAP Analytics Cloud license, which is also necessary for the SAC Edition of Analysis for Microsoft Office.
Development Status:
- AfO: Currently in maintenance mode and not under active development.
- SAC Add-In: SAP is focusing future developments on the SAC Add-In for Microsoft Excel, indicating it as the forward-looking solution.
Supported Solutions:
Centralize the management of people, processes, and technology to streamline accounting tasks, automate processes, and enhance regulatory compliance. Integration with SAP ERP and S/4HANA simplifies reconciliation and speeds up financial closings.
- AfO: Supports on-premises solutions such as SAP BW (on and 4HANA), SAP BPC, SAP HANA, and SAP S/4HANA. It can connect to cloud-based solutions like SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere but only to older account-based SAC models and outdated analytical data sets.
- SAC Add-In: Supports new SAC models with key figure models and analytical models in Datasphere, which are not accessible via AfO.
Feature | SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office | SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel |
Installation | Desktop Installation | Microsoft Store |
Operability | Desktop | Desktop & 365 Web-Version |
Office Versions Supported | 2010, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365 | 2021 & 365 |
License Requirements | Standard Edition: Business Objects License<br>SAC Edition: SAC License | SAC License |
Future Developments | No | Yes |
Data Sources / Connectivity | – SAC Models (Classic account model)<br>- SAP Datasphere (Analytical Dataset, deprecated)<br>- SAP BW<br>- SAP BPC<br>- SAP HANA<br>- SAP S/4HANA | – SAC Models (Classic account model & new Model)<br>- Datasphere (Analytical Model & Dataset, deprecated)<br>- SAP HANA Cloud and S/4 Private Cloud<br>- S/4 Public Cloud<br>- SAP BW via SAC Tunnel
|
Interface / User Experience
The BEx Analyzer inspires the SAP Analysis for Office interface and features a more colourful design than the SAC Add-In.
SAP Analysis for Office
- The interface includes an Analysis panel and an Analysis Design panel.
- Basic functions for data analysis and planning are located in the Analysis tab.
- Functions for design and formatting are found in the Analysis Design tab.
- The design is reminiscent of the Business Explorer (BEx) and offers many functionalities.
SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In
- The interface has a simpler design aligned with the SAP Analytics Cloud style.
- Navigation is streamlined and similar to SAP Analytics Cloud’s design area.
- The SAC Add-In currently provides fewer functions than the SAP Analysis for Office.
- The table appearance in the SAC Add-In is similar to the Web Stories in SAP Analytics Cloud.
The differences in user experience highlight SAP Analysis for Office’s more extensive functionality and colourful interface. At the same time, the SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In offers a cleaner, more streamlined design with fewer features, focused on simplicity and alignment with SAP Analytics Cloud.
The SAC add-in’s navigation panel closely resembles the SAP Analytics Cloud interface.
However, the SAC add-in provides fewer configuration options than SAP Analysis for Office. One advantage of SAP Analysis for Office is the ability to view all available dimensions at a glance.
Functionality
As of June 2024, SAP Analysis for Office offers more functionality than the SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In. For instance, the context menu in Analysis for Office, which allows users to filter and sort values or change key/text display directly, is absent in the SAC Add-In. These context-based functions are commonly used and valued by users.
Additionally, the SAC Add-In lacks familiar features such as double-click filtering and the ability to change the drill down by dragging and dropping within the table. These functionalities, available in Analysis for Office, are missed in the SAC Add-In.
Context Menu in SAP Analysis for Office
Both add-ins provide various functions that can be used in Excel formulas, allowing you to customize your workbooks and enhance user-friendliness. You can retrieve specific key figure values for multiple combinations of characteristics on a cell-by-cell basis. However, the SAC add-in currently offers less flexibility in this regard. For instance, the SAC add-in provides 13 formula functions, whereas Analysis for Office offers 27. Key tasks like GETDATA, which returns data values for specified dimension and element combination sets, are available in the SAC add-in. You can find the full list of available functions in the official documentation.
Currently, the SAC add-in does not support VBA APIs, so you cannot implement custom logic through macros. This limitation affects the ability to enhance user-friendliness in workbooks through customized automation. In contrast, Analysis for Office supports 21 configurable API methods, providing more flexibility and customization options.
Planning
Both tools support data input at various levels, with automatic disaggregation and aggregation of plan values. Additionally, the SAC Add-In can integrate triggers for data actions into the workbooks, enhancing its planning functionalities.
This option is not available in Analysis for Office. However, AfO provides other features that the SAC Add-In lacks. For instance, planners can lock specific cells, which is useful for disaggregation and inverse formulas.
Interestingly, Analysis for Office includes comprehensive version management similar to SAP Analytics Cloud. Users can view the entire version history and revert to any previous status.
In Analysis for Office, users can also create private versions and share them with others.
SAP Analysis for Office vs. SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-In - Our Summary
Depending on your requirements, SAP Analysis for Office and the SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-In can help you achieve your goals. The primary distinction between them lies in their future viability. For instance, new analytics models in Datasphere and the key figure-based models in SAP Analytics Cloud can only be utilized with the SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel. Additionally, connecting BW queries for ad-hoc analyses requires using SAC data models through the SAC Add-In, as the new add-in cannot directly connect to SAP BW.
If your organization is moving towards SAP Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud, the SAC add-ins should be considered if they meet your requirements. It is also possible to use both add-ins simultaneously, allowing you to leverage the strengths of each tool based on your needs.
VE3 Expertise and Services
At VE3, we have extensive expertise in SAP Analysis for Office and SAP Analytics Cloud. Our industry-trained experts can help you determine the best approach for your needs, ensuring smooth implementation and seamless integration with your existing systems. We offer various services, including consultation, implementation, integration, support, and training.
Keep an eye on upcoming developments that are visible on the roadmap. Until the SAP Analytics Cloud Add-In for Microsoft Excel reaches the functionality level of SAP Analysis for Office, several updates are expected. VE3 will continue to monitor this topic for you and provide the latest information and support. Contact us today for more!
