2.0.63 - Feature updates, April 12, 2021

IBM® Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel was refreshed on April 12, 2021 to include the following features and notices.

Updates to each version of Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel are cumulative. To see what was new in previous releases, see What's new in Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel.

Note: If you are upgrading from Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel version 2.0.62 to Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel version 2.0.63, you must uninstall Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel version 2.0.62 before upgrading.

New CreateFromCVS API method

You can now use the CreateFromCVS API method to generate a new Exploration View or Quick Report using a common view specification (CVS).

A common view specification (CVS) is JSON that is composed of two major parts; the MDX query and a sidecar for additional state information. Data driven mechanisms, such as TurboIntegrator are only concerned with the MDX query, however user interfaces will also consume the sidecar to ensure presentation consistency. As of Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel 2.0.63, you can use the CreateFromCVS API method to generate a new Exploration View or Quick Report using a CVS.

For more information, see CreateFromCVS (Exploration View) and CreateFromCVS (Quick Report).

To learn more about Common View Specifications, see Common View Specification.

Conformance compatibility update

Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel 2.0.63 contains conformance updates fundamental to improving the overall product experience including the installation and post-installation experience.

The 2.0.63 update of Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel is not compatible with the current release of Cognos Office Connection. Users that use both Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel as well as Cognos Office Connection are affected in their ability to upgrade to the latest release of Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel.

Users who utilize either Cognos Office Connection or Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel on their own may continue using the latest releases of each. For those who utilize both Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel as well as Cognos Office Connection for their reporting needs may continue using Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel 2.0.62 alongside the latest release of Cognos Office Connection.

If you are upgrading from Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel version 2.0.62 to Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel version 2.0.63, you must uninstall Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel version 2.0.62 before upgrading. Failing to uninstall Planning Analytics for Microsoft Excel version 2.0.62 before upgrading will result in an error message.

In an upcoming release, the Planning Analytics add-in will be converted from an installer-based delivery to a single file a fraction of the size. This will also enable easier self service in enabling and disabling the add-in. Following this release shortly, Cognos Office Connection will enable the link between the two products once again.