What is a characteristic and how is it different from a key figure in SAP BW?

In SAP BW, a characteristic is a way of categorizing and grouping data based on specific attributes or properties. It represents qualitative information such as product names, customer segments, or geographical locations. Characteristics are used for reporting, analysis, and filtering data in SAP BW.

On the other hand, a key figure in SAP BW represents quantitative data that can be measured or calculated, such as sales revenue, quantities sold, or costs. Key figures are used to perform mathematical calculations, perform trend analysis, and measure performance indicators in SAP BW.

In summary, characteristics are used to describe and categorize data, while key figures represent measurable and numerical data in SAP BW.