In SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence, where is a user defined variable stored by default?

Introduction / Context:
Web Intelligence users often create variables to simplify formulas and reuse logic throughout a report. Knowing where these variables are stored is important for understanding how they move between environments and how they are shared or not shared across different documents. This is a classic Web Intelligence certification question that checks whether you recognize the document centric nature of variables.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The variable in question is a standard Web Intelligence variable created in a document.
• We are not discussing universe objects or database stored procedures.
• The system is a typical SAP BusinessObjects deployment with a Central Management Server.
• The question asks specifically about the storage location of a Web Intelligence variable.

Concept / Approach:
A Web Intelligence variable is defined at the document level. When you save or transport the document, the definition of the variable is stored inside that document. This means the variable is not automatically shared with other documents, even if they are based on the same universe. The Central Management Server stores the document as an object, but it does not provide an automatic global library of Web Intelligence variables. Understanding this separation helps you manage reuse and maintenance of formulas.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that you create variables from within the Web Intelligence report interface, either in the formula editor or the variable manager. Step 2: Observe that when you reopen the same document, the variables you created are available again without any external import. Step 3: Note that if you create a new Web Intelligence document, the old variables are not present unless you recreate them or copy them. Step 4: From these observations, conclude that variables belong to the document in which they were created. Step 5: Match this conclusion with option a, which states that variables are stored in the document itself.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this behavior in practice by exporting a Web Intelligence document from one system and importing it into another. The variables will travel with the document and continue to work without any additional configuration. However, if you build a brand new report from the same universe on the target system, the variables will not appear automatically, confirming that they are not stored centrally in the universe or the Central Management Server as reusable global objects.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is incorrect because the Central Management Server stores the document object but does not provide a shared variable repository across all documents. Option c is wrong because there is no separate metadata cube that holds Web Intelligence variable definitions. Option d is inaccurate since variables are not confined to a single cell; they can be reused in multiple cells throughout the document. Option e is incorrect because the operating system registry is not used to store document specific Web Intelligence variables.

Common Pitfalls:
New users sometimes assume that once a variable is defined, it will be available in every document, which leads to confusion when variables appear to be missing. Another pitfall is conflating universe objects, which are centrally managed, with document variables, which are local. Remembering that Web Intelligence variables are stored inside the report document itself is essential for correct understanding and for answering certification questions.

Final Answer:
A user defined Web Intelligence variable is stored in the Web Intelligence document itself, so that it is saved and transported together with the report.