## 4.2.2  Using Variants
You can save defined prompt values as a variant for a query or for a document. The variants of a document can contain prompt values for different data sources. You can create a variant for your user (user-specific variant) or for all users (global variant). When you next open the workbook or query, you can apply your user-specific variants and all global variants. Y ou can also change a variant by selecting different prompt values and saving the variant again. Variants can also be deleted.
You can create multiple variants, which allows you to choose different prompt values. Only one variant can be active at any one time however.
Variants are created and maintained in the prompting dialog. There are two different modes when working with variants. These are document mode for working with document variants and data source mode for working with query variants. An icon shows which mode is active. The currently active mode depends on the selection you made for workbook property Merge Variables on the Components tab in the design panel and on how you open the prompting dialog.
## Working in data source mode
In data source mode, you see the variants for this query in the prompting dialog. If you create a new variant, it is always saved to this query. The following prerequisites apply for working with query variants:
- Authorization object S\_RS\_PARAM must be maintained for the user in the SAP BW server so that the user can create a variant.
- You open the prompting dialog with the context menu on the crosstab. The context menu for prompts is only available if workbook property Merge Variables is not selected.
- Workbook property Merge Variables is not selected when a new query is inserted.

## Working in document mode
In document mode, you see the variants for this document in the prompting dialog. If you create a new variant, it is saved to this document. Depending on the platform where the document is saved, the following prerequisites apply for working with document variants:
Prerequisites for document variants using the SAP BW platform:
- Authorization object S\_RS\_PARAM must be maintained for the user in the SAP BW server so that the user can create a variant.
- The workbook is already saved on the SAP BW server.
- You open the prompting dialog with the icon in the ribbon.
- Workbook property Merge Variables is selected when a new query is inserted.
Prerequisites for document variants using the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform:
- You use at least version 4.2 SP 4 of SAP BusinessObjects BI platform.
- In the Central Management Console, properties of the Analysis runtime, the Variants Support is set to User or User and Global .
- Web Intelligence Services are installed on the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform. The Web Intelligence Services are part of the Servers instance in the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform features installation.
- The workbook is already saved on the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform.
- You open the prompting dialog with the icon in the ribbon.
- The workbook property Merge Variables is selected when a new query is inserted.
## Related Information
To create a user-specific variant [page 164]
To create a global variant [page 165]
To apply a variant [page 166]
To change a variant [page 166]
To delete a variant [page 167]
To select workbook properties for prompting [page 167]