Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• A list of defined IDocs

  Where to find a list of IDocs and define handlers  Continue Reading

• IDoc validation; populating in error tables from IDoc

  A guide to basic IDoc data validation and to populating in error tables from IDoc  Continue Reading

• Email and user exits in IDoc input orders

  How to manage email and user exits in IDoc input orders  Continue Reading

• How to generate an IDoc for deleted purchase orders

  How to generate an IDoc for deleted purchase orders  Continue Reading

• Make function module calls in SAP from an external system

  How to make function module calls in SAP from an external system  Continue Reading

• Fixing a common OPEN_FORM and START_FORM error in SAPscript

  Expert Mark Smithson explains how to fix a common error in SAPscript.  Continue Reading

• Error when clicking the SAP GUI logon button

  An SAP user receives a curious error message when he clicks the logon button in the SAP GUI.  Continue Reading

• Is it better to enter sales in SAP CRM or SAP ECC?

  Our company is deploying SAP CRM and SAP ECC. Which is a better application for entering sales orders? Is SAP CRM robust enough for EDI sales orders? Can sales orders be modified in CRM if created in ECC and vice versa?  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between an SAP system and a non-SAP system?

  What is the difference between an SAP system and a non-SAP system?  Continue Reading

• Is C, C++ and Java knowledge required when learning SAP?

  Is knowledge of programming languages like C, C++ and Java required when learning SAP?  Continue Reading

• Clicking on the SAPGUI logon button brings error message

  I'm getting the following error message when I click on the logon button in the SAPGUI. I have already started the service in the management console. The lights turn from gray to yellow to green.  Continue Reading

• Authorization objects with a value of single/double quote marks

  I have some authorization objects that literally have single or double quotation marks as their values. I see these values associated with objects such as S_BTCH_NAM. What do these values allow or permit as part of this authorization object?  Continue Reading

• Changing a customer message priority level after it's sent

  I mistakenly sent a customer message with the wrong priority level. How can I change the priority level of the message sent?  Continue Reading

• Fixing inconsistencies in TemSe and Spool systems

  I have found some inconsistencies in TemSe and in the Spool system. Please let me know the causes of these inconsistencies. How can I analyze and rectify these inconsistencies?  Continue Reading

• What does the Parameter tab mean in SU01

  In SU01, what does the tab Parameter mean?  Continue Reading

• Prerequisites for SAP BI training

  What are the prerequisites for SAP BI training? I have a J2EE background and I want to move to BI. I have heard SAP BI is the latest and greatest in business warehousing. I have also heard people say it's techno-functional, whatever tha means). Will...  Continue Reading

• The tables/views used to populate extractors

  I am trying to ascertain what tables/views are used to populate an extractor. I need to get the size of the underlying tables on R/3.  Continue Reading

• Breaking into an SAP career: Climb the ladder

  I'm currently a Microsoft Trainer and an Desktop Support Technician looking for a new career path. I'm looking at SAP for it's good rates of pay as well as the variety of modules one gets to choose to 'specialize' in. I have absolutely no background...  Continue Reading

• Deleting entries from a dynamic table

  I have dynamic internal table . How do I delete entries from this table on the basis of some condition.  Continue Reading

• Avoid printing out blank address lines in SAP Smart Forms

  I am providing a vendor address number from LFA1-ADRNR. There are one or two fields in the vendor master that are not filled in, so my Smart Form prints out a blank line. The users do not want this blank line printed out in the form. Is there any ...  Continue Reading

• PD profiles and SD profiles

  What are PD profiles and SD profiles? What do they do?  Continue Reading

• Display the subtype text for an infotype

  I am making an HR report in ABAP wherein I need to display the subtype texts for infotype 0045. How do I find the table where I can get this text field?  Continue Reading

• Updating infotype IT0008, not getting 'Annual Salary Currency' as default

  I am facing a problem while updating IT0008. I am not getting "Annual Salary Currency" as a default. I maintained all possible tables, such as T500c and V_T510F_B. Could you please tell me where went wrong?  Continue Reading

• Maintaining a proficiency level scale

  I am maintaining a proficiency level scale ranging from a 1 to 4 rating against a qualification in Personnel development. I want to be able to pull this proficiency level rating on the smart form of an appraisal template through the TEM module. When...  Continue Reading

• Setting soft breakpoints in ABAP that reside in Smart Forms

  I've always set hard-coded breakpoints in ABAP code that reside in a Smart Form. Is it possible to set soft breakpoints instead?  Continue Reading

• Viewing a list of SAP interfaces

  Is there a way to view a list of SAP interfaces such as RFC, BAPI and ALE?  Continue Reading

• RFC timeout problems

  I have a WEB/AS based R/3 Internet sales RFC call calling to a 4.6D (Basis 620) R/3 system. My problem is with RFC timeouts; what is the default value and how can I change it? There is nothing that I can modify on the WEB/AS ICM admin side. Is there...  Continue Reading

• SAPgui disconnection problem

  We are having a problem with clients disconnecting from the SAPgui. They are attempting to connect to a Solaris/Unix server through a firewall. We have found that the connection to the Wintel server is fine, but not the UNIX server. Clients on the ...  Continue Reading

• List of deletable SAP system files

  Our SAP file system is filling up because initially it was defied too small. What are the non-required files that can be deleted from the SAP system? We are using HP-UX NetWeaver2004s on an Oracle database.  Continue Reading

• Common 'sequential read' misconception

  One of my colleagues told me that "sequential reads" means that the query is not using "Index" to scan. How can I resolve this issue and get an expensive SQL statement in the system?  Continue Reading

• The difference between field groups and internal tables

  What is the difference between field groups and internal tables?  Continue Reading

• Printing specifics on the last page of a Smart Form

  I am working on a PO Smart Form. The user would like to print the terms and conditions as well as document totals and spaces for approval signatures at the bottom of the last page. If I include this in the main window, it prints wherever on the page...  Continue Reading

• Adding a navigational attribute to an existing InfoObject

  We have a scenario where we would like to add one additional navigational attribute to an existing InfoObject (currently there are already two navigation attributes). My question is what needs to be done to the Planning Object Structure in APO DP ...  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between ODS and DSO in SAP BI?

  In SAP BI, what is the difference between ODS and DSO?  Continue Reading

• How do I know if a profile parameter is dynamically changeable or static?

  How do I know if a profile parameter is dynamically changeable or static? If it is static it will require a restart of the system once changed. Do the colors red or black in rz10 indicate this?  Continue Reading

• The difference between SAP notes and support packages

  What is the difference between SAP notes and support packages?  Continue Reading

• SAP MMC failing to start after renaming my domain

  I have done a complete domain rename; my SAP R/3 on Windows 2000 is installed in a windows 2003 active directory domain. Now the SAP MMC console does not start up. What is wrong?  Continue Reading

• Not connecting to SAP: A connection string problem

  When logging onto SAP, it shows a "Connection to partner broken" message. What is wrong?  Continue Reading

• Why are transport requests classified into workbench and customizing?

  Why are transport requests classified into workbench and customizing? What does this classification indicate?  Continue Reading

• Where to find your SAP installation number

  Where can I find my installation number in the SAP system?  Continue Reading

• Refresh the SAP ABAP/Java system from PRD to QAS

  I want to refresh the SAP ABAP/Java system from PRD to QAS. In the past I have done the ABAP system refresh in which the Quality database was refreshed by that of Production and later we changed the SID from PRD to QAS. I want to know if we need to ...  Continue Reading

• What is the future of SAP consultants/project managers?

  What's your take on the future market demand for SAP consultants/project managers?  Continue Reading

• Can an Oracle DBA break into SAP Basis?

  An Oracle DBA is considering jumping ship to SAP. How do the skills map to SAP Basis, and what are the future prospects? Career expert Jon Reed answer these questions and more.  Continue Reading

• Changing the hostname in a server migration

  I am trying to do server migration from an existing server to a new server (though it is same OS). We will need to change the hostname for this. What is the best method or process for this task? Is there anywhere else it stores hostname info apart ...  Continue Reading

• SAP APO consulting is a dying career field?

  What is the future of SAP APO in the market? How I should an SAP APO functional consultant move ahead with their career? Which other areas of SAP should they learn in order for my career to grow?  Continue Reading

• MM consultant seeks new skills in trendy SAP areas

  I am an MM Consultant and have learnt a bit of PP too over the years and at career crossroads right now. I want to place myself in a (latest) technology that has demand right now in US market.  Continue Reading

• Adding to extended attributes of a Position in SRM

  I am trying to write recordings for use within LSMW load objects in order to make mass changes to the organizational structure. I have achieved this using PP02; however, when I want to alter the Extended Attributes (i.e. the Approval Limits) listed ...  Continue Reading

• More information on SAP NetWeaver ECC 6.0; NetWeaver vs R/3

  Learn the difference between NetWeaver ECC 6.0 and R/3.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between SAP BI and BW?

  What is the major difference between SAP BI and SAP BW? If I study SAP BW 3.0, will the concepts be similar to what I will find in SAP BI?  Continue Reading

• Using dynamic actions in personnel administration

  How do I use dynamic actions in personnel administration? Do we need to create a program for that?  Continue Reading

• Retroactive accounting period differences

  What is the difference between "earliest Retroactive accounting period" and "Retroactive accounting date"?  Continue Reading

• The difference between master data and transactional data

  The difference between master data and transactional data  Continue Reading

• The definition of the BP category: 'group'

  We are going to create a BP in three categories: person, organization and group. What is the meaning of 'group'?  Continue Reading

• The difference between territory management and organizational structure

  What is the main difference between territory management and organizational structure?  Continue Reading

• Methods for uploading SAP data

  Which method should I use for uploading data? Call transaction, Batch Input Method, LSMW or BAPI?  Continue Reading

• Steps for a generic extraction of FI/CO, COPA and LO in SAP BW

  What are the necessary steps for a generic extraction of FI/CO, COPA and LO in SAP BW?  Continue Reading

• What are the responsibilities of an SAP BW administrator?

  I am new to BW; what should a BW administrator study? Also, what are the responsibilities of an SAP BW Administrator?  Continue Reading

• What is a wage type group?

  What use do wage type groups have? What are some examples of wage type groups?  Continue Reading

• The steps for a successful SNP implementation

  What are some of the tactical and strategic steps that a company would need to follow for a successful SNP implementation?  Continue Reading

• What is wrong with an SAP MMC console that won't start?

  When I started my machine today, I was unable to start the SAP MMC console. Also, I am not able to see any sub links which are usually there to right-click and start my server. How can I get back those sub links in the SAP MMC console?  Continue Reading

• Is SAP ABAP a career sand trap?

  How hard would it be for an SAP BW ABAP person to change careers and do systems programming using C++ after 2 or 3 years? I don't want to necessarily get stuck in SAP. I'm concerned that in 3 years, my resume will be all business/SAP and no systems/...  Continue Reading

• SAP careers in the pharmaceutical industry

  Will SAP help me to increase my value in the pharmaceutical industry? What kind of training should I go for?  Continue Reading

• The current and future growth of MDM consulting

  What is the current and future growth in MDM and what would be the best way to establish myself as a consultant in this area?  Continue Reading

• The quickest way to gain SAP knowledge

  I suddenly was forced to move into senior roles which involved leading projects in various technologies and just as suddenly found myself leading an SAP support project. The project is going well, but I feel handicapped because I am not able to add ...  Continue Reading

• Identifying transports that have not been imported into production

  How do I identify transports that have not been imported into production quickly and easily? I do not want to compare the transport list in development with the import history list in production.  Continue Reading

• Changing the SAP Production server time 30 seconds behind, errors occur

  I changed the time on the SAP Production server to 30 second behind, but some SAP transactions now have errors. Currently I use SAP 4.6C with Oracle 8.17 as a database and Windows 2000 advanced server for an OS. How do I solve this problem?  Continue Reading

• Problems with the output device 'LOCL'

  I am setting up shop papers (PM) in Smart Forms using Helvetica font. The shop papers were designed with output device LOCL. The output changes (spaces between words) based on the output device. How do I fix this?  Continue Reading

• Will there always be an implicit commit in an RFC?

  Is there any way to make a Rollback from Windows from our own developed function module?  Continue Reading

• How to generate a new transport request from an already working workflow

  How do I generate a new transport request from a workflow that is already working in the development environment?  Continue Reading

• When performing an automatic workflow, customizing error messages appear. Why?

  In SWU3 (Automatic Workflow Customizing) I ran "Perform Automatic Workflow Customizing" but "Configure RFC Destination" and "Maintain Web Server" activity did not activate; there is a red "x" mark beside them. I am also getting the error message: ...  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between SAP BW 7.0 and SAP BI?

  What is the difference between BI (Business Intelligence) and BW (Business Warehouse) if any? Also, is there a difference between SAP BW 7.0 and SAP BI? BI/BW expert Jay Narayanan shares a clean cut answer.  Continue Reading

• New fonts added to SAP are replaced by old fonts in a print preview, why?

  We have loaded new fonts into SAP. However, they don't appear during a print preview. A completely different font replaces the original. Why does this happen?  Continue Reading

• How to print Smart Forms on Zebra printer with the landscape format

  How do I print Smart Forms in landscape mode on a Zebra printer? I already set the print configuration on the Zebra printer driver and tried to choose a landscape page format (other than DINA4). However, it still printed out in standard portrait ...  Continue Reading

• How to include T&Cs on the back of every printed page in a PO form

  I want to include T&Cs in a PO form. How do I display the T&Cs on the back of every page that is printed by duplex printing?  Continue Reading

• How to get to the shopping cart and PO information in SRM

  How do I view a softcopy of PRs and POs in mySAP? MySAP SRM expert Sachin Sethi offers some advice.  Continue Reading

• Comparing locally managed and dictionary managed tablespaces

  What is the difference between a locally managed and a dictionary managed tablespace, and what are the benefits of using a locally managed tablespace?  Continue Reading

• What do the .att and .pat files from a support package extraction contain?

  When we extract the .car file from our support pack we get .att and .pat files. What data do these files contain?  Continue Reading

• Is there a way to search within IDocs using a purchase order number?

  How do I search a sales order in IDoc based on the purchase order (PO) number? I am scanning each IDoc one by one using we02. Is there an easier way?  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of the Inventory Collaboration Hub?

  I read that Inventory Collaboration Hub is now part of SCM. Marketing baloney aside, what are the real benefits of this? Should I care? Supply chain management expert Harish Narayanan explains.  Continue Reading

• SAP CRM career options for a sales/marketing MBA

  I am a graduate with an MBA in sales and marketing and 8 years of hands-on experience in sales. I only have basic knowledge about the IT environment (Excel, Word and PowerPoint). I am thinking about shifting my efforts to the SAP field. Is SAP CRM ...  Continue Reading

• What are infotype attributes?

  What are infotype attributes? Read a brief explanation with examples.  Continue Reading

• How do I fix errors in an automatic workflow customization?

  When performing an automatic workflow customization, "RFC User could not be created" appears.  Continue Reading

• How do I create a link in an email message that executes a workflow item in R/3?

  A reader asks how to make it so that a user will receive an email in Outlook with a link that takes them to the appropriate transaction (in change mode) of the exact document that needs to be processed.  Continue Reading

• Merging companies with different company codes

  Expert Bert Vanstechelman suggests a resource to help in merging company codes in the same purchasing organization.  Continue Reading

• Reverting transport request changes

  Can it hurt anything to go back to the original version of SAP without the new objects generated by transport requests? Bert Vanstechelman sheds some light on the matter.  Continue Reading

• What are the best practices for pricing configuration?

  A reader states, "our pricing and contract management is a mess" in SA. Expert Srini Katta offers some general suggestions for determining a pricing configuration.  Continue Reading

• Changing transport orders on SAP systems

  ABAP report RSWBO301 can help you change transport order numbers. Expert Bert Vanstechelman explains how.  Continue Reading

• Static vs. dynamic filter configuration in AIS

  Expert Muhammed Farooq Ali explains the difference between these types of filters in SAP Basis.  Continue Reading

• Problems processing IDoc with LSMW

  Axel Angeli offers some quick advice for uploading BP master data.  Continue Reading

• Problems connecting to an SAP server on a different network

  A reader wonders what could be causing an error message; Axel Angeli offers some advice.  Continue Reading

• Dispatcher services shows dev_disp error

  Bert Vanstechelman advises a reader on the possible origin for a dev_disp system warning for SAP.  Continue Reading

• What is a module pool?

  Expert Matthew Billingham explains this term as it pertains to SAP.  Continue Reading

• Converting a PDF form to Word

  A reader needs to be able to send a form by email and have the recipient send the completed form on to another person, so a PDF won't work. Matthew Billingham provides some guidance on converting a SmartForm to Word.  Continue Reading

• Retrieving values selected in a dropdown list

  Matthew Billingham suggests some means by which one might be able to retrieve values selected from a dropdown list by using ABAP.  Continue Reading

• Recovering a deleted delta

  Expert Sam Gassem suggests means by which a lost delta might be restored.  Continue Reading

• Error claims ship to party is not defined

  An SAP user did everything right, but an error message is saying otherwise. Krishna Kumar weighs in with some possible reasons for the problem.  Continue Reading

• Allowing users to choose printer for Smart Form output

  Mark Smithson explains how to allow users to choose a printer for Smart Form output.  Continue Reading

• Formatting addresses

  A client wants addresses displayed on the Smart Form scree in a different format. Mark Smithson provides clues for how to change the display type.  Continue Reading

• Division field in the Material Master Record

  Sachin Sethi explains the meaning of this term.  Continue Reading

• How do I print a single purchase order per page?

  Expert Mark Smithson suggests means by which a programmer might have a Smart Form print a single purchase order per page in SAP.  Continue Reading