Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• QA system refresh

  Expert Bert Vanstechelman defines SAP system refresh and shows you where to find the detailed procedure from the SAP Service Marketplace.  Continue Reading

• Setting a default value for a screen field

  Learn how to set a default value based on the value on the previous field in this expert response from Matt Billingham.  Continue Reading

• Exporting and re-importing version data during a refresh of the development system

  Although not SAP recommended, expert Bert Vanstechelman steps through how to refresh a development client while maintaining the version management and transport history.  Continue Reading

• Uploading CSV files into SAP

  In this expert response, Matt Billingham teaches how to upload a CSV (comma-separated values) file into an SAP database.  Continue Reading

• Reset the password of a user in some or all clients

  Learn how to use transaction SU01in Central User Administration for resetting passwords for a user in multiple clients.  Continue Reading

• Difference between BW functional and technical consultant

  Expert Sam Gassem identifies the roles of the BW functional and BW technical consultant in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• The job description for an SAP portals consultant

  Expert Sam Gassem defines the role of an SAP portals consultant and lists the skills required.  Continue Reading

• Using different operating systems and databases for SAP development and production systems

  Bert Vanstechelman discusses whether the development and production systems can be on seperate OS/DB but still maintain an STMS connection.  Continue Reading

• How to attach a PDF to a workflow

  Expert Alon Raskin teaches how to attach PDF files programmatically in workflows.  Continue Reading

• Where can I access workflow attachments?

  Learn where to access workflow attachments using a particular function module from expert Alon Raskin.  Continue Reading

• Transfer rules, transfer routines and conversion routines

  Expert Sam Gassem defines transfer rules, transfer routines and conversion routines within InfoObjects and SAP BW.  Continue Reading

• SAPscript and Smart Forms: Printing only text on the last page

  Learn control commands for an SAPscript and Smart Forms to print "End of Page" text from expert Mark Smithson.  Continue Reading

• What is a Web Application Designer (WAD)?

  Jay Narayanan expertly defines WAD and it's functions in BW.  Continue Reading

• SAP career networking

  Seasoned professionals understand the value of networking with colleagues. Expert Jon Reed reaffirms this concept with the SAP professional.  Continue Reading

• Roadmap to an SAP career for doctors

  Even doctors want to transition to SAP. In this expert response, Jon Reed advises how to best shift from industry to industry.  Continue Reading

• MI, MDM, and XI combination for the future SAP developer

  Combining today's hot modules with tomorrow's market forecast is a great strategic opportunity for any SAP developer. Jon Reed describes how to invest in your SAP career future.  Continue Reading

• Changing the SAP system ID (SID) after an upgrade

  After setting up parallel DEV and QAS systems, our expert advices on how to handle the old and new SIDs.  Continue Reading

• How do I create arrays in ABAP?

  ABAP doesn't have an array concept but our expert describes other ways to utilize array-like functions with ABAPs.  Continue Reading

• IDocs for purchasing contracts

  Techniques for creating contracts with IDocs.  Continue Reading

• Everything you need to know about the Oracle hash function

  Our expert covers the entire Oracle hash functionality from 'HASHKEYS' and 'HASH IS' to the Random Oracle Model.  Continue Reading

• Using multiple work processes in a client copy

  M Farooq Ali details how to create a RFC group and a client copy in order to use multiple work processes in one local client copy.  Continue Reading

• Using and configuring the Extended Transport Control (STMS)

  The Extended Transport Control (STMS) is another way to establish a client-specific transport route within SAP. Get the detailed blueprint here on how to use and configure STMS within your SAP systems.  Continue Reading

• How do I link user IDs to positions in SAP?

  Our expert discusses safe practices and benefits of linking a user ID to a position within SAP.  Continue Reading

• Defining SAP R/2 and R/3

  Our expert defines and differentiates between the SAP systems R/2 and R/3.  Continue Reading

• How to lock specific users out of certain transactions

  Not every user needs access to every transaction. Find out how to block certain users from specific transactions.  Continue Reading

• Convert a function module into a BAPI

  Our expert provides multiple techniques for turning function modules into BAPIs. It all depends on what you want to use the function module for.  Continue Reading

• Transferring custom table structures from one server to another

  Learn how to transfer custom tables server to server using transaction SE09.  Continue Reading

• Spool logs: The basics about spool log maintenance

  Our expert systematically covers basic aspects of spool log maintenance.  Continue Reading

• Errors with TP configuration

  Check out this code too view a typical TP configuration error and read our expert's remedy.  Continue Reading

• How to handle errors during a transport with change documents release

  Our expert solves transport release problems by removing or unlocking erroneous objects.  Continue Reading

• How do I create a transaction code in a Smart Form without using a print program?

  Our expert explains why you need a print/driver program to create transaction codes in Smart Forms.  Continue Reading

• Blank value fields in IDocs

  This user has a requirement that all IDoc data, including null values, flow from his outbound processor to a SAP legacy system. However, he can't view the null values in the IDoc. Our expert explains why this is and remedies how to meet the user's ...  Continue Reading

• Visual Basic code for a BAPI function

  Our expert provides code for BAPI functions to use in Visual Basic.  Continue Reading

• Using IDocs to connect a non-SAP system to an SAP R/3 system online

  Learn how IDocs can connect SAP R/3 system with non-SAP systems to share information.  Continue Reading

• Replicating the datasource in BW

  Discover the replicating process of datasources and how they end up in BW.  Continue Reading

• Failing an IDoc in a user-exit

  Our expert supplies code to fail an IDoc in a user-exit.  Continue Reading

• How to interface between Seeburger and R/3 while doing EDI configurations

  Our expert advices using RFC calls to access Seeburger middleware during EDI configurations.  Continue Reading

• CRM for the shopping mall

  CRM can greatly benefit the mall industry. Find out how with our expert response.  Continue Reading

• Resolving JCO_ERROR_CONCURRENT_CALL in JCo

  Using the JCo connection pool to resolve error JCO_ERROR_CONCURRENT_CALL.  Continue Reading

• Retrieving parameters for a remote function module using JCo connector

  Retrieving a list of parameters for a specific remote function module using JCo connector.  Continue Reading

• What range of ports does JCo use when accessing SAP?

  A list of SAP ports for JCo usage.  Continue Reading

• Setting a default value for an infotype during pa20/30 and pb20/30 transactions

  Our expert describes in detail how to set the default value for an infotype during pa20/30 and pb20/30 transactions.  Continue Reading

• Suspending and restarting batch jobs

  Our expert shows how jobs are stored and how to update those tables directly.  Continue Reading

• Signal 11 in OS

  Signal 11 means your processes are misbehaving. Our resident expert explains why.  Continue Reading

• SAP Basis administrator vs. Oracle Apps DBA

  Career path advice for an Oracle DBA.  Continue Reading

• Dynamically create the where clause of a select statement

  Ideas for creating the where clause of a select statement.  Continue Reading

• Unreleased function modules in SAP

  This expert summary discusses using unreleased modules in SAP.  Continue Reading

• Retrieving the installation date on SAP R/3

  In this expert response, Bert Vanstechelman pinpoints the location of the installation date on SAP R/3  Continue Reading

• Steps for OS/DB migration in SAP

  SearchSAP's Basis expert, Bert Vanstechelman introduces the process for OS/DB migration in SAP.  Continue Reading

• Backup error with DB13

  In this ATE, Bert Vanstechelman reviews solutions to a backup error with DB13  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between SAP BW and SAP BI?

  What is the difference between SAP BW and SAP BI? Is it required to have programming knowledge for learning BI/BW? Get Jay Narayanan's answers here.  Continue Reading

• Is there a standard salary for a new SAP trainer?

  I am thinking about switching careers from a financial analyst to an SAP trainer within the same company. Seeing as how this is a new position for the company and me, we are both exploring salary possibilities. Is there a standard salary for a new ...  Continue Reading

• Managing multiple languages for a single document

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• How to restrict users by plant in transaction code IW32

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• How to change ABAP program package from $TMP to a z* package

  A user wants to change his ABAP program package from $TMP to z* package in my development environment so it can transport to QA. Application development expert answers.  Continue Reading

• How do I go about creating an authorization group?

  How to create an authorization group employing custom tables and otherwise.  Continue Reading

• How to use the 'Expression' functionality

  I am trying to create a simple Workflow task that will send an email to the originator of a sales order, when the document has been released from treasurey hold by our credit department.  Continue Reading

• How to trigger events across systems

  I need to to trigger an event based on material creation in one system. This event should be triggered in another system. How do I go about this? How do i pass data from one system to the other system's event container?  Continue Reading

• How do I perform maintenance on Table DDPRS?

  Can I perform maintenance on Table DDPRS? Application development expert Matt Billingham answers.  Continue Reading

• Can VA05 (underlying program SAPMV75A), be scheduled and run as a job?

  When this user tried creating a job for SAPMV75A, it would not allow it, citing a problem with the program type (M). Expert Matt Billingham explains why.  Continue Reading

• Why are SAPscripts client-dependent and Smart Forms client-independent?

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• How do I analyze a failed IDoc?

  What happens if the status is 51 and the error message reads "application document not posted"? Expert Axel Angeli weighs in.  Continue Reading

• How does an accountant get an SAP FICO certification?

  I am a professional chartered accountant and cost accountant from India. I have more than three years training and one year post-qualification experience. Now I want to take a leap in my career. I am interested in SAP FICO certification. Please ...  Continue Reading

• How does an MBA in marketing choose between SAP SD and SAP CRM?

  I've been in sales. Is my profile suitable for a career in SAP SD functional?  Continue Reading

• Why does my SAP workflow work in debugging mode, but not normal mode

  Workflow expert Alon Raskin describes how to resolve an error message when the SAP workflow is not working in normal mode.  Continue Reading

• How do I add an Excel spreadsheet to a workflow?

  Learn how to attach an Excel file to an SAP workflow in this expert tip.  Continue Reading

• Can I approve an SAP work item in Outlook?

  Wondering how to approve a work item in an email? Read this workflow tip from SAP workflow expert Alon Raskin.  Continue Reading

• SAP Basis best practices for transferring a client from one server to another

  Learn how to transfer a client from one server to another in this administration tip from Basis guru Giovanni Davila.  Continue Reading

• How do I troubleshoot printing issues with SAPscript?

  Learn how to troubleshoot printing issues for SAPscript forms in this expert tip from Mark Smithson.  Continue Reading

• Run a program to find name changes in the user ID history

  Security expert Corwin Slack describes how to find name changes in the history of a particular user ID.  Continue Reading

• The disadvantages of using BAPIs vs. BDCs

  Are there any scenarios where BAPIs are preferred over BDCs? Learn Axel Angeli's opinion in this Q and A.  Continue Reading

• BAPIs vs. IDocs for Web-to-SAP interfaces, what are the differences?

  Which option is better for interface data from a Web site, BAPI calls or IDocs? Read Axel Angeli's expert opinion on BAPIs vs. IDocs for Web-to-SAP interfaces in this expert tip.  Continue Reading

• Do you need a four-year degree to succeed in SAP?

  Jon Reed advises a college student who is considering leaving school for SAP to finish his degree first.  Continue Reading

• The best SAP development skills mix for the future: ABAP, Java and EP

  Learn the best development skills for the SAP job market future of ABAP, Java and EP in this expert tip from SAP career expert Jon Reed.  Continue Reading

• Copy from the production system to the development system

  Giovanni Davila, Basis expert, provides advice on how to copy all SAP users from one system to another in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Why do shopping carts seem to disappear from our SRM system?

  Troubleshoot an issue with shopping carts that cannot be found in the system by taking advice in this expert tip from SRM guru Sachin Sethi.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between saving, activating and generating a Smart Form?

  Learn distinctions between saving, activating and generating a Smart Form in this expert Q and A from SAP guru Mark Smithson.  Continue Reading

• Definition: cumulative vs. non-cumulative key figures

  Describes the difference between cumulative and non-cumulative key figures in BW.  Continue Reading

• What steps need to be taken to add an InfoObject into an InfoCube?

  Learn the step-by-step methodology for adding an InfoObject into an InfoCube through Business Content with SAP BW in this expert advice.  Continue Reading

• ABAP trick for converting a floating point number to a packed field

  Learn a trick for converting a floating point number to a packed field in this expert Q and A with development guru Matt Billingham.  Continue Reading

• How do I add an authorization object to a transaction?

  Matt Billingham, development expert, describes the methodology for adding an authorization object to an SAP transaction.  Continue Reading

• Can I change the sender line in workflow notifications?

  Learn how to change the sender line in workflow notifications in this tip from SAP workflow expert Alon Raskin.  Continue Reading

• Why is a workflow attachment not showing in the workflow container?

  SAP workflow expert Alon Raskin describes how to determine that an attachment is correctly attached in a workflow.  Continue Reading

• Trick for producing a list of users and the transactions they have accessed

  Describes how to produce a list of SAP users and their transactions to increase Basis administration productivity.  Continue Reading

• Run transaction SU01 to verify if CUA is used on an SAP system

  Describes how to run transaction SU01 to verify if CUA is used on an SAP system.  Continue Reading

• What are the best practices for an SAP CRM implementation?

  Discover best practices for an implementation of SAP CRM with an SAP R/3 backend system in this advice from CRM expert Srini Katta.  Continue Reading

• Find application server hostnames on the operating system

  Looking for application server hostnames on the operating system? Learn how to locate them with this expert advice from Bert Vanstechelman.  Continue Reading

• Potential SAP BW interview questions

  Learn some potential interview questions for a position in SAP BW from BW reporting expert Peter Scott.  Continue Reading

• How to qualify benefits of information lifecycle management

  Even though we are a small business, we generate a large amount of data that must be retained, causing an ever-growing data management and protection issue. I have read with interest some of the storage vendor literature on information lifecycle ...  Continue Reading

• Definition for an end-to-end implementation

  Discover what an "end-to-end implementation" means, and what it really entails from mySAP HR expert Brian Stewart.  Continue Reading

• Using transaction OOCU_RESP to maintain the responsibility for a standard rule

  I am using workflow WS20000081 for leave requests. How can I maintain SAP HR administrator using rule 60100010? This is a standard rule, so I cannot change it. What configuration do I need to maintain?  Continue Reading

• How to merge two SAP instances into one

  Learn how to merge two SAP instances into one using transaction RE_RHMOVE30. Alon Raskin, workflow expert, describes how.  Continue Reading

• What is data extraction in SAP BW?

  Learn about data extraction in BW delta types and update methods. Also learn from BI and BW expert Jay Narayanan what type of extractors use which type of delta methods.  Continue Reading

• Error while trying to post a FI document

  Learn how to troubleshoot an error occuring while trying to post a FI document using transaction code we19. NetWeaver/ALE/IDoc expert Axel Angeli explains.  Continue Reading

• How to send an inbound IDoc from SAP for tracking

  Wondering how to send an inbound IDoc from SAP for tracking purposes? NetWeaver, ALE and IDoc expert Axel Angeli explains how.  Continue Reading

• Learn how to copy IDoc data into a CSV data

  Learn how to copy IDoc data into a CSV data with this description and sample code from Axel Angeli.  Continue Reading

• Debug an IDoc function to find an error

  Need to debug an IDoc function to find out where an error message is being issued? SAP IDoc expert Axel Angeli shares some tips in this response to a common reader question.  Continue Reading

• What to learn in SAP to become a financial analyst

  Looking to find out what areas of SAP are most important to a financial analyst? Joshua Greenbaum, executive advice guru, advises a student who is looking to enter the jobn market.  Continue Reading

• Move the central instance to another server in SAP

  Learn how to move the central instance to another server in SAP.  Continue Reading

• Why is a system not showing up in the SAP Solution Manager?

  Learn possible reasons why a system is not showing up in the SAP Solution Manager, and ways to troubleshoot this problem.  Continue Reading