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Top FAQs about SuccessFactors Stories in People Analytics

What is SuccessFactors Stories in People Analytics? How is it different from Workforce Analytics? How should you use it? How do you switch it on?

Stories in People Analytics, or 'Report Stories', is the future of SuccessFactors Reporting. We speak to hundreds of SuccessFactors customers about the tool as they explore this new and exciting technology. Here then is a list of their most frequently asked questions about Stories and our answers to them.

 

Please note: This blog will be updated over time to reflect new questions. It was last updated on 4 January 2024.

 

Please scroll through the list or click the list below:

  1. What are SuccessFactors Stories in People Analytics?
  2. What are the technical requirements needed to use Stories in People Analytics?
  3. Are Stories available for all SF modules?
  4. Why would we use Stories over ORD (Online Report Designer) or any of the other operational reporting tools?
  5. Our organization uses WFA. Would we still benefit from Stories?
  6. Can we use Stories to create spreadsheet style list reports?
  7. Can we export Stories reports to PDF? How about to PowerPoint?
  8. Can we create a link on the SuccessFactors Home Page to a Stories report?
  9. Is there a limit to the number of columns you can include in a Story Report Query?
  10. Can Stories reports be scheduled for email delivery?
  11. What does the deprecation of Canvas and Tile reporting mean for Report Stories??

 

 

SuccessFactors Workforce Analytics vs Stories On Demand Webinar

 

1. What is SuccessFactors Stories in People Analytics?

SuccessFactors Stories in People Analytics is the go-to solution for all SuccessFactors Reporting. It replaces all legacy SuccessFactors operational reporting tools. It allows users to create visuals of simple aggregated data and do list reporting.

 

For more information on Stories, its features and limitations, please refer to our What is Stories in People Analytics? blog.
 

 

2. What are the technical requirements needed to use Stories in People Analytics?

The most critical call-out here is that in order to enable Stories in People Analytics you need to be using SAP Identity Authentication. The technical requirements for Stories otherwise are rather standard. If your organization already uses SuccessFactors, you should be in good shape there.
 

For more information on configuring Identity Authentication Settings, please visit SAP Help
 
 

3. Are Stories available for all SuccessFactors modules?

Stories are available for most SuccessFactors modules. There are 4 reporting schemas that are currently unavailable; Recruiting Marketing, Recruiting Posting and Onboarding 1.0 (Onboarding 2.0 is supported).
 

For more information on this, please visit SAP Help.

4. Why would we use Stories over ORD (Online Report Designer) or any of the other operational reporting tools?

Stories in People Analytics is actually replacing ORD and the legacy operational reporting tools. Stories boast a number of improvements over it’s predecessors including:

  • The ability to easily connect data from various modules.
  • The ability to report on modules and MDF fields unavailable through the Legacy Tools including Onboarding 2.0, Job Profile Builder and others.
  • An increased capability to handle more complex calculations.
  • A revised, fresh and modern look.

 

For more information on Stories and it’s features, please refer to our What is Stories in People Analytics? blog.
 
 

5. Our organization uses WFA. Would we still benefit from Stories?

In short, yes. The first thing to bear in mind is that WFA and Stories are different solutions; WFA provides predefined and curated measures and dimensions with which you can create analytical dashboards and reports. Stories are a powerful set of operational reporting tools that does allow for limited analytical report creation, but you need to create your own measures and dimensions.

 

For more information on this subject, please visit our WFA vs Stories in People Analytics blog or watch this on-demand webinar with 3n Strategy and SAP discussing Your SuccessFactors Data Strategy: Workforce Analytics and Stories in People Analytics.

 

6. Can we use Stories to create spreadsheet style list reports?

Yes, List reports are one of the reporting components available for inclusion within a Report Canvas environment; similar conceptually to Operational Report Designer (ORD).

 

Do you and your team need to know more about Stories? 3n Strategies offers strategic training and consultative services on Stories and all SAP SF reporting tools, click here for more information.

 

7. Can we export Stories reports to PDF? How about to PowerPoint?

Yes, Stories report pages can be exported as PDF and MS PowerPoint. Tables are exportable into MS Excel.

 

8. Can we create a link on the SuccessFactors Home Page to a Stories report?

Yes, the 2nd Half 2020 release included a patch to add Stories reports as Favorites on the Reports tile on the SF Home page.

 

For more information on the 2nd Half 2020 release, please visit SAP Help.

 

9. Is there a limit to the number of columns I can include in a Story Report Query?

Currently, a Story query can include up to 30 columns, which can be selected from a maximum of 30 tables. The resulting query can retrieve up to 1,000,000 cells of data.

 

Do you and your team need to know more about Stories? 3n Strategies offers strategic training and consultative services on Stories and all SAP SF reporting tools, click here for more information.

 

10. Can Stories reports be scheduled for email delivery?

No, Stories Reports cannot be scheduled for delivery via email. Instead, they can be scheduled to run offline and made available through the “View Schedules” area. 
 

11. What does the deprecation of Canvas and Tile reporting mean for Report Stories?

In November 2023*, the SAP SuccessFactors product team announced the deprecation of the legacy reporting tools Canvas and Tiles. After that date only Report Stories will be available as a reporting tool for SuccessFactors customers. There is no functional implication for Report  Stories however customers will need to migrate to Report Stories, including training their team and end-users, by the time of the deprecation. Find out more about our Report Stories services here

*SuccessFactors have subsequently suggested that they are reviewing this deprecation date.

 

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