In SAP Analytics Cloud stories, conditional formatting can be applied to Table and Chart elements. This feature allows users to visually highlight data points based on specific conditions, such as thresholds, ranges, or comparisons, making it easier to identify trends, outliers, or areas of interest within the data presented in tables and charts.
Reference:
SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Conditional Formatting
SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Applying Conditional Formatting to Tables and Charts

SAP Analytics Cloud can establish a live connection with various source systems, including SAP Datasphere. This allows for real-time data access and analysis without the need to replicate data into the cloud, which is beneficial for scenarios where data privacy and security are paramount.
Reference:
SAP Analytics Cloud Connection Guide1
SAC Live and Import Connection Overview2
SAP Analytics Cloud: Expand Live Data Source Options3
Live connection in SAP Analytics Cloud: advantages and challenges4
Explaining Where the Data Comes From - SAP Learning5

Collapsing the hierarchy in a story can help limit the refresh time, as it reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed and displayed at any given time. By presenting data at a higher aggregation level initially, you can improve performance and allow users to expand specific sections of the hierarchy as needed for more detailed analysis.
Reference:
SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Improving Story Performance
SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Managing Data Hierarchy for Performance