Business Unit prompt not working when TopN is applied in OTBI

Question

Hi All

I have a margin analysis where I added Business Unit as a prompt so the user can switch between BUs.

But when I apply a TopN filter, the Business Unit prompt is not responding — it automatically selects the default BU and I’m not able to choose any other BU from the prompt.

Has anyone faced this issue or know how to fix it?

Riyaz Ali-Oracle · Accepted Answer

Hi @skhan,

The problem arises because the TopN filter is applied before the prompt value is processed, causing the report to default to a specific Business Unit and ignore user selections.

Try the below:* Use a Presentation Variable in the Filter:

Instead of hardcoding the TopN filter, use a presentation variable tied to the Business Unit prompt:

sql

FILTER("Revenue"."Amount" USING "Business Unit"."Name" = '@{P_BU}')

Then apply the TopN logic within a pivot or table view, not directly in the analysis filter.

2. Apply TopN in the View, Not in the Criteria:

Remove the TopN filter from the Criteria tab.

In the Table or Pivot View, go to Edit Table Properties → Data Sorting → Row Count and set the TopN there.

This allows the prompt to apply first, and the TopN to be evaluated afterward.

3. Use a Subquery or Filtered Analysis:

Create a filtered analysis that uses the prompt value and returns only the relevant Business Unit data.

Then apply TopN logic in a second analysis or dashboard section.

Thanks,

Riyaz Ali