Yellowfin Edit Calculation Field Without Restarting

Editing calculation fields in Yellowfin without restarting the application can save significant time and maintain data integrity. This guide explains how to modify calculation fields dynamically while keeping your Yellowfin instance running.

Overview

Yellowfin is a powerful business intelligence tool that allows users to create complex calculations and visualizations. However, modifying calculation fields often requires restarting the application, which can be disruptive to ongoing analysis.

This guide will show you how to edit calculation fields without restarting Yellowfin, ensuring your users can continue working while you make necessary adjustments.

Steps to Edit Calculation Field

Follow these steps to edit a calculation field without restarting Yellowfin:

Step 1: Access the Data Model

Log in to your Yellowfin instance and navigate to the Data Model section. This is where you'll find all the data sources and calculations used in your reports.

Step 2: Locate the Calculation Field

In the Data Model, locate the calculation field you want to edit. You can use the search function to quickly find the field by name.

Step 3: Edit the Calculation

Click on the calculation field to open the edit window. Here, you can modify the formula, change parameters, or update references to other fields.

Example Formula:

SUM([Sales]) / SUM([Units Sold]) * 100

This formula calculates the sales per unit percentage.

Step 4: Save Changes

After making your changes, click "Save" to apply the modifications. Yellowfin will automatically propagate these changes to all reports and dashboards that use this calculation field.

Note: Changes may take a few moments to propagate across all reports, but you won't need to restart the application.

Step 5: Verify the Changes

Open any report that uses the modified calculation field to verify that the changes have been applied correctly. Check for any errors or unexpected results.

Examples

Here are two examples of common calculation field edits that can be made without restarting Yellowfin:

Example 1: Updating a Formula

Suppose you have a calculation field that calculates revenue per customer. You want to adjust the formula to include only customers from a specific region.

Original formula: SUM([Revenue]) / COUNT([Customer ID])

Updated formula: SUM(IF([Region] = "West", [Revenue], 0)) / COUNT(IF([Region] = "West", [Customer ID], NULL))

Example 2: Changing a Parameter

If you have a calculation field that uses a parameter for a discount rate, you can easily adjust this parameter without restarting the application.

Original parameter: Discount Rate = 10%

Updated parameter: Discount Rate = 15%

FAQ

Can I edit calculation fields in real-time?

Yes, Yellowfin allows you to edit calculation fields in real-time without restarting the application. Changes are automatically propagated to all reports and dashboards that use the field.

Will editing calculation fields affect report performance?

Minor changes to calculation fields typically have a negligible impact on report performance. However, complex changes or large datasets may require additional testing to ensure optimal performance.

Can I revert changes if something goes wrong?

Yes, Yellowfin maintains a history of changes. You can revert to a previous version of the calculation field if needed, ensuring data integrity and continuity.

Do I need administrative privileges to edit calculation fields?

Yes, editing calculation fields typically requires administrative privileges. Ensure you have the necessary permissions before making changes.