How to prevent BPC10 comments from turing into #RFR on log-on?

[Former Member]

Dear BPC Experts,

We use quite a lot of comments in our work in the SAP BPC system. We have just upgraded from BPC7.5 to BPC10 (Microsoft version).

I am having some issues with comments in BPC10 (using EMPCommentFullContex function to retrieve comments sent to database).

Here are the symptoms:

• Refresh workbook in BPC10 - everything refreshed including comments.
• Saved the Excel file.
• Log-off EPM.
• Open the saved file - comments are still there and all look fine...
• Log-on to EPM - now all comments will change into #RFR (however, the other EPM functions, e.g., EPMMemberProperty remained OK!)
• I can refresh Workbook again and the #RFR will be refreshed and replaced with comments - but if I have many sheets, it takes time to do the refreshing every time I log-on...

I have tried to save the file in "OffLine Mode" too, but once I log-on to EPM, I will have the same #RFR problem.

It seems to me that EPMCommentFullContext is particularly "volatile" compared to other EPM functions.

I also tried the BPC7.5 EVCGT function in BPC10 (it still works) but I got the same results (#RFRs upon log-on)

In BPC7.5, I did NOT have this issue. Comments seemed to stay fine (after file open and then log-on)...

Note if I do not log-off, opening a saved file with comments is OK (comments stayed). However, I normally log-off by the end of the day.

My questions: 

1. Has anyone encountered similar behavior in BPC10 comments?  If so do you have a solution?
2. Is there any settings/options (e.g., user options, sheet options, etc.) that I can use to prevent comments from turning into #RFR?  (the Excel file should do nothing until I ask it to refresh or expand, right?). Why would BPC do something I did not ask it to do ?

Thank you very much for your time and attention!

Ken

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Ken,

Yes You are correct when you save file on local drive and log off and when you login again comment function turns in #REF. You can try one option that will refresh whole sheet while opening.

Go to EPM Sheet Options >>> Refresh Tab >>> "Refresh Data In the Whole File When Opening It"

As far as i know this option will solve your problem but may impact on performance because whole workbook will get refreshed (unnecessary).

Hope this will help you.

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thank you BPC user for the suggestion!

I have purposefully turned that Refresh on File Opening Option off, as it takes quite some time to refresh/recalculate on the file that I have (I have 40+ tabs for many accounts).

I have written a macro to refresh only the comments (BPC Refresh Selected Data) but it is a pain having to run it now and again... I distribute the file to our offices in different parts of the world and it is a pain having to explain all the actions that need to be taken just to keep comments from disappearing.

Thanks again for the suggestion and I am hoping that there could be a better solution.

Ken

[cecilia_petersson2 · Accepted solution]

Hi Ken,

Did you try to make your macro execute automatically when the workbook opens?

/Cecilia

PS. Don't forget to activate FPMXLClient to enable this so called API to run, not sure if your familiar with this new EPM10 feature:

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thank you very much Cecilia for the suggestions! 

I did have the FPMXLClient checked to enable the BPC10 API. I have also tried various Workbook_Open macros. The problem is I have a large workbook with 40+ sheets. It will take quite a while to refresh so I am trying to see if there is a better way to achieve the goal. 

What I came to realize is that if I mixed a EVDRE report with EVCGT (or  EPMCOMMENTFULLCONTEXT) functions, in BPC10, Expand Workbook will NOT retrieve comments (even though the comment functions were within the expansion range!). After Expand Workbook, I need to Refresh Workbook for the comments to be pulled! This looks like a BPC bug to me...

Does anyone experience the same? For sure in BPC7.5, Expand All (aka Expand Workbook) will pull both the data an the comments correctly (using the same file).

Thanks for looking and thank you for sharing the knowledge and solutions!

Ken