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Getting the Most from Report Painter/Report Writer: Tips & Tricks................3–27 Explore helpful hints and
information on the
Review....................................................................................................................3–40 Report/Report Interface,
Where to Learn More ............................................................................................3–40 formula variables, and
creating your own
evaluation structures
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In this chapter you will learn about Report Painter/Report Writer, tools that let you report
on data from multiple applications. Before jumping into how you can use Report
Painter/Report Writer to create reports, it is important to understand its features and basic
organization.
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Report Painter/Report Writer can be used to easily create currency- or quantity-type reports
in the R/3 System. Examples of such reports include, financial statements, sales reports, and
inventory reports.
Earlier releases of the R/3 System were delivered only with Report Writer. Later, the user
interface of Report Writer was enhanced and offered to users as Report Painter. As shown in
the graphic below, Report Painter adds an easy-to-use graphical interface to the core
functionality of Report Writer.
Report Writer
+ Graphical
Graphical
Interface
Interface = Report Painter
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With Report Painter you can report on data from multiple applications. It uses a graphical
report structure which forms the basis for report definition. When defining a report, you
work with a structure that corresponds to the final structure of the report. With Report
Painter’s intuitive WYSIWYG approach to report design, you define a report on a form that
displays the rows and columns as they will appear in the report output.
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Just like Report Painter, Report Writer lets you report on data from multiple applications.
Using elements such as sets, variables, formulas, cells, and key figures, you can create
complex reports that meet specific reporting requirements.
1RWH Since Report Painter provides the core functionality of Report Writer, most users
may not need to use Report Writer. A general understanding of Report Writer should
suffice for most users.
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Although there are a few differences between the two tools, both Report Painter and Report
Writer share the same execution engine. Since both tools work with the same reporting
control tables, you can use either tool to create reports on the configured tables.
Here are some of the important differences between Report Painter and Report Writer:
Page breaks occur only between row Page breaks occur at arbitrary summation-
elements levels within a report.
Allows use of single lines (--) only for over- Allows use of any characters (for example,
and underscoring double-line ==) for over- and under-scoring
Before 4.0A, authorization groups for Allows set up of authorization groups for
report handling are not supported. Refer to report handling
OSS note 69090 for a workaround. Starting
in Release 4.0A it is possible to maintain the
header of a Report Painter report via the
menu path: Environment → report header.
Key figures can only be used in columns Key figures can also be used in rows and
data selection
Row-detail is restricted to three levels: No In addition to the levels supported by
explosion, single values, and all levels Report Painter, you can also select
intermediate levels
Copy to a
Report Writer
Report Report Display
Painter or
Change
Report
Display
or
Change
Report Report
Writer
Both Report Painter and Report Writer can be used to report on the following tables and
Data tables tables types:
supported
< Evaluation structures set up in the Logistics Information System (LIS). These
structures normally begin with an “S” or “ZF.” Several different tables and views
within the R/3 System can be added as evaluation structures.
Note: You cannot add cluster tables, such as BSEG.
< CCSS is used for Cost Center Accounting (CO-CCA), Internal Orders (CO-OPA),
Activity Based Costing (CO-ABC) and for cost element reports in Project Systems (PS).
< GLFUNCT is used for functional area reporting in cost-of-sales accounting.
< GLPCT and GLPCOP are used for Profit Center Accounting (CO-PCA/EC-PCA).
< FILC is used for Legal Consolidations (FI-LC).
< COFIT is used for the Controlling Reconciliation Ledger (CO-CEL).
< ZZ tables are created for the Special Purpose Ledger (FI-SL).
< FIMC is used for consolidations in the Enterprise Controlling module (EC-LC).
< GLT0 is used for Financial Accounting (General Ledger) reports by account, company,
and business area (FI-GL).
< KKBC, KKBE, and KKBU are used for the Controlling Product Costing module (CO-
Costing).
New in Release 4.0A: RWCOOM is used for CO-CCA, CO-OPA and CO-ABC. RWCOOM
is used for special standard reports like internal order budget reports, cost center budget
reports and cost component reports.
1RWH RPPS was used for Project Systems (PS). However, it is obsolete and is no longer
supported in Release 4.0. In Release 3.x there were only two special reports (6P70 and
6P71) using RPPS. These reports cannot be called directly, but via ABAP reports
RKOPLAN0 and RKOPLAN1.
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Report Painter/Report Writer has four main components:
< Sets: Logical groupings of characteristic values. For example, a cash line on a balance
sheet is made up of a set of cash accounts, or an energy product line on an inventory
report is made up of a set of the energy products. Variables can also be created which
are placeholders for sets, or values within sets.
< Libraries: Control what characteristics and key figures from a table are available for
reporting.
< Reports: Hold a definition of the rows, columns, and overall data selection. They also
include the header and footer texts and layout settings.
< Report Groups: Can contain one or more reports. The report group is what you
execute—not the actual report. A report group is generated to create a set of ABAP
programs that produce the reports.
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The following is a list of key terms you need to understand when working with Report
Painter/Report Writer tools.
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A report definition has three main components:
< Rows: The rows of a Report Painter report contain characteristics that determine how
the rows will appear in the report. In the first report example on page 3–8, materials and
material types drive the outcome of the rows, therefore only these characteristics are
included in the rows of the report.
< Columns: The columns of a Report Painter report must have key figures. If needed,
columns may also contain characteristics. In the second report example on page 3–19,
plants are shown across the page, which means the plant characteristic is included in the
columns as well as a key figure for net value of a billing document.
< General Data Selection: The general data selection area contains the additional
characteristics that should control the data included in the report. In the second example
on page 3–19, you may want to limit the selected data by material group or industry.
Since these fields do not affect the outcome of the rows or columns, they are included in
the general data selection as additional selection criteria. Any required fields that are not
in the rows or columns are also included in the general data selection. In the first
example on page 3–8, ledger, version, and record-type are all required but not included
in the rows or columns. Therefore, these fields must be included in the general data
selection in order for the report to run. Each table has certain required fields. To check
your report for missing fields, choose the Check icon in Report maintenance.
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Key figures are the currency or quantity buckets for a report. Some examples of key figures
include the local currency amount in profit center accounting, the costs bucket in cost center
accounting, the net value of a billing line item, and the quantity of materials sold in a sales
order.
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Characteristics are the fields—other than currency or quantity—needed to build the report.
For example, company code, plant, sales organization, G/L account, cost center, or period.
In a balance sheet report, G/L accounts probably appear in the rows of your report. In a
customer sales report, customers are likely to appear in the rows of the report.
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To access Report Painter, choose the following menu path from the SAP main menu:
Information systems → Ad hoc reports→ Report painter
Report Writer functions can be accessed from within Report Painter. To access Report
Writer, choose the following menu path from the SAP main menu:
Information systems → Ad hoc reports→ Report painter→ Report Writer.
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< With the exception of row titles which have text fields, Report Painter/Report Writer
reports display numerical fields only (for example, dollar and quantity fields). This is
not a requirement for ABAP Query and typical line item reporting tools, which can
display arbitrary text columns.
< The printed Report Painter/Report Writer reports appear much the same way on paper
as they do on screen. In contrast, the Drilldown reporting tool produces a different
output format. Drilldown is an online analytical tool which can be used to drilldown to
different levels of detail but is infrequently used for printing. For more information, see
chapter 4.
< Report Painter/Report Writer reports are hierarchical and take advantage of configured
hierarchies (for example, with cost center hierarchies). You can also execute Report
Painter/Report Writer reports from each level within a hierarchy.
< Report Painter/Report Writer reports can handle multiple currency/quantity units
within a single column.
< Report Painter/Report Writer is well-suited to handle reports which require mass
production. For example, Report Painter/Report Writer is a particularly effective tool for
creating month-end reports.
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< Table: You must know the table you need for the report as well as the data within the
table. Every table has characteristics and key figures, or evaluation structures that are
required for a report. Each table’s characteristics and key figures are different. For
example, in the Special Ledger the key figures are based on currency: transaction, local,
and group. In Cost Center Accounting structure CCSS, the key figures are based on
currency and the type of cost: cost, quantity, statistical quantity, and variances.
< Sets: You will need to build sets that include the values for the characteristics that are
needed for your report. Although the values can be directly entered into the report, it is
recommended that you use sets. Sets can be used in multiple reports because when
values change, only the sets are changed and not each individual report. As an example,
cost center hierarchies (groups) are sets and can be used directly (as with profit center
groups). The same holds true for cost elements, activity types, statistical key figures,
orders, and business processes (you do not have to create technical sets for these
characteristics in order to use Report Painter).
< Library: You must create a library for the table or evaluation structure. Most tables
supported by Report Painter/Report Writer have one or more libraries you can use.
When creating evaluation structures in the Logistics Information System, the system
creates a library beginning with a 2. Since the Special Ledger is not delivered with the
libraries, you will need to create a library on each new special ledger table.
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The main steps in creating a report are shown in the graphic below:
1 Determine
Determine the
the table
table you
you need
need for
for your
your report
report
2 Find
Find or
or create
create aa library
library for
for the
the table
table
3 Find
Find or
or create
create required
required sets
sets for
for your
your reports
reports
4Trained
Find
Find or create
create variables
orEmployeevariables for
for the
Available? the fields
fields in
in your
your report
report
5 Create
Create your
your report
report
6 Add
Add your
your report
report to
to aa report
report group
group
In this section you learn how to create the following two reports with Report Painter:
< Profit Center Accounting report
< Billing report
For these sample reports, you should focus on the tables that correspond to the SAP
application areas you are working with. For example, if your expertise is PCA (Profit Center
Accounting), you should work with table GLPCT. Take a few minutes to familiarize
yourself with the scenario and the desired report. For more information, see page 3-4.
The examples shown in this section were created in Release 4.0B.
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Bungee Corporation wants to use Report Painter to create a Gross Margin Report. This
Profit Center Accounting report will use data table GLPCT. The desired PCA report
displays the gross margin for each profit center. The following general data selection
values were used: Fields version (0), Record type (0), Period (1-12), Company code
(3000), Profit center (3010–N999), and Ledger (8A).
The rows in this report list the G/L accounts and the columns contain the current as well as
prior years (with the company code currency key figure).
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Before you can start creating the report, you must select the table you need to use. In this example, we use
table GLPCT in Profit Center Accounting.
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Select the library you want to use for the table chosen in step 1. If necessary, choose the following menu
path to create a library: Information systems → Ad hoc reports → Report painter → Report Writer → Libraries →
Create.
As shown in step 5, we use an existing library 8A2 for this report.
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Create required sets for your report. To create a set, choose: Information systems → Ad hoc reports → Report
painter → Report Writer → Set → Create.
Note that this step is not necessary for this sample report.
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Create any variables for the fields that must be entered before the report is executed. To create a variable,
choose: Information systems → Ad hoc reports → Report painter → Report Writer → Variable → Create.
Note that this step is not necessary for the sample report.
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To help you better understand how to create a report in Report Painter, this step has been divided into the
following substeps:
< Define the rows
< Define the columns
< Define the general data selection
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1. When defining the rows of a report,
notice the Lead column at the top of
the rows. Report Painter refers to the
rows of a report as the Lead column.
You can type over this with your
own description.
2. To start defining the rows, double-
1
click on Row 1.
2
13
Creating a set
Instead of separately defining each row, you can also create a set to save you time. The
set you use in a report row is referred to as a row block and may consist of one or more
physical rows. If you create a basic set containing account numbers as a row block, then
the system automatically creates a physical row for each account number in the set.
In this example, you could have skipped steps 5 through 14 simply by creating a basic
set called “Gross Margin” in step 3. This set (row block) would include the account
numbers for Revenue (800000) and Cost of Goods Sold (400000-490000). The system
automatically generates a physical row for Revenue and Cost of Goods Sold without
requiring you to define it from scratch. To do this, you must set the “explode option” to
explode or single values. After that, one will automatically get one line for each account,
not 2 lines for each single value (800000) and the interval. You will only get 2 lines if the
standard layout parameter “form print” is set—but this is not the default setting.
For more information on how to use sets, refer to the online documentation in the R/3
Library.
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1. Double-click on the first column,
Column 1.
2. In the Select Element Type window,
select Key Figure with characteristics.
3. Choose Enter.
1
Since the following steps are similar to those shown above, they have not been pictured in this guided tour.
13. Define column 2 (Prior Year): You can define column 2 either by repeating steps 1 through 12, or by
copying columns. For column 2, choose Prior year as the desired variable.
14. Define column 3 (Variance): Enter a formula that calculates the difference between column 1 (current
year) and column 2 (prior year). The column text should read Variance. Adding a column or formula is
similar to adding a row formula. Follow steps 10 through 13 shown in the section Define Rows.
You have now defined the three columns (Current Year, Prior Year, and Variance) needed for your report.
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Now that you have defined the rows and
columns, you are ready to enter the 2
general data selection.
1. From the menu on the Report Painter:
Create Report screen, choose Edit →
General data selection →
Display/Change.
2. Select the fields to add to the general
data selection.
3. Choose Enter. 3
15
17
19
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1. After executing the report, add the
headers and footers while you are
still viewing the report. Since there 6 5
is no automatic centering, text blocks
are easier to work with at this point. 2
From the report choose Settings →
Texts → Headers (or Footers).
2. Enter the title of the report and any
text such as Date:, Time:, and so on.
3. To add the variables for the report,
place your cursor where the variable
should start, then click the Standard
variables button. Select the variable
by double-clicking on it. The
variable will be included in the
header.
4. To include the profit centers in the
report, enter Profit Center, then
click your cursor where the profit
center is to be inserted.
5. Choose Characteristics. Select the
profit center characteristic, the text
type is Value, and the value is
Value/Group.
6. Choose Save to save the headers.
Layout settings
To change the layout settings in the report, choose Settings → Layout. There are six
layout screens to choose various settings such as the number of decimal places, column
width, text column width, and rounding. Review each screen and make the necessary
changes.
To prevent report users from making permanent layout changes, deselect the Change
allowed during execution field in the Layout: Page/Control screen.
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Bungee Corporation needs a billing report which is built on an evaluation structure in LIS. The
structure includes characteristics and key figures from tables VBRP (Billing line item table) and MARA
(Client-level material master table). These tables were combined into a view which was then used to
build the evaluation structure.
1RWH Before you start with this example, you may want to review LIS Evaluation Structures discussed
on page 3–27. It describes how to create a view that combines tables and creates an evaluation structure.
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20
22
24
25
26
30
31. You can enter column 2 by repeating steps 22 through 30 (and enter plants 3100 and 3200), or you can
copy columns.
35
38
53. To change the layout settings in the report, choose Settings → Layout. There are six layout screens
containing various settings such as the number of decimal places, column width, text column width,
and rounding. Make necessary changes and save your report.
Your billing report is now ready.
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A common misconception among users is that Report Painter/Report Writer only supports
FI-CO applications. However, the Report Painter/Report Writer tool can also be used
against user-defined evaluation structures created in LIS. These structures can be created on
many of the tables in the R/3 System, allowing Report Painter/Report Writer to be used
across most SAP applications.
Below is an example of how to add an evaluation structure in LIS using a user-defined view.
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Using views
In the next step, a view is used as the data dictionary reference table. Views should only be
created when all other options have been exhausted. It is also recommended that you check
with an experienced basis/tools consultant before creating the new view.
To create a view in SAP, choose Tools → ABAP Workbench → Dictionary. Enter the name of
the new view beginning with a ’Z’. Select the View option and Create.
In the next step, the system determines the classification of fields from the table or view as
characteristics or key figures. This is not configurable.
Most currency and quantity fields are considered key figures while the other field types are
considered characteristics.
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Report Call or Report/Report Interface allows for drilldown functionality from a report group.
Remember that a report group contains one or many reports and is executed using Report
Painter/Report Writer. All reports within the report group have access to the Report/Report
Interface setup in the report group. Report Calls may also be assigned to a library. This
means all reports created for that library have access to the reports/transactions that are
assigned to the Report/Report Interface.
6 7
8. When inserting a new report, the system automatically assumes you wish to add a
report of the same type. In the example, it assumes report group because we are adding
reports to a report group. To add a different type of report, choose Other report type.
9. Double-click on the type of report you would like to add to the Report/Report Interface.
10. In the example below, we are adding a transaction code. Transaction code FB03 is an FI
document display transaction. This addition means you will be able to drill down to
display an FI document. Note that there must be an FI document number and company
code available from the sender report for this drilldown to be successful!
11. Choose Enter.
12. Choose Save to save the new report assignment.
10
11
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Report Writer allows you to mark data on a report output and call up another report that
would select data based on what was marked in the calling report (drilldown). In Release
3.0 and later there is a new standardized cross-application report/report interface.
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This interface spans applications by automatically converting field names and values.
([DPSOH A Report Writer report for an FI-SL table can directly call a Report Painter
report from the CO module (Table CCSS). The interface converts field names (for
example, G/L account RACCT to cost element KSTAR) and values (for example, get
controlling area CCSS-KOKRS from company code GLT1-BUKRS).
When calling an ABAP program, the interface retrieves the selection parameters of the
program and automatically fills these parameters from the selected data of the sender
report. This way any program can be called without the need to adapt the program for the
report/report interface—provided, of course, that all relevant selection fields are part of the
selection parameters of the program. As an example, consider the new line items RGUGLS12
and RGUGLS11. These programs have all the necessary fields as selection parameters. There
is no specific coding for the report/report interface.
If you need to actively read the interface data, there are a number of function modules
available in function group RSTI. The online documentation of function group RSTI gives
detailed information on how the report/report interface works and what function modules
are available.
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With formula variables you can customize the report selection screen by providing suitable
default values. With the help of formula variables you can also create several new types of
reports.
We will now highlight some of the ways you can work with formula variables:
< Rolling periods (fixed number of periods up to period p across fiscal years)
< Display periods of quarter q
< Display periods of a quarter containing period p
< Display a variable number of columns for periods p1 to p2
< Working with a shifted a fiscal year
< Creating user exits for formula variables
< Creating a report with actual/budget values depending on period p
< General notes on formula variables
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([DPSOH A report with 12 periods (see report 0R-FOVAR in library 0R1; copy from
Client 000).
Create 12 formula variables for the 12 periods and 12 formula variables for the
corresponding fiscal year.
Create the variables in the order listed in the table on the next page. You can create a data-
set entry for each pair of variables or use directly in report definition (Report Painter). The
only independent variables are &0R-RP00 (period of last column) and &0R-RY00 (fiscal year
of last column). Each pair of variables calculates the period and fiscal year of the preceding
period. The year will change when going back from period 1.
If you only need one column with the total for all periods, create an additional formula
column that adds up all period columns. Hide the period columns (In Report Writer, you
must set the column width to zero).
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Create a value variable &QUARTER for the period and call it Quarter. This will be the
independent variable. Create three formula variables for the three periods of the quarter.
This example assumes that the first quarter consists of periods 1, 2, and 3, etc. You can use
the formula variables &QPER1, &QPER2, and &QPER3 in data-set entries or directly in the
column definition (Report Painter). The independent variable &QUARTER is not used
directly in the report, only indirectly through the formula variables. When running the
report, only the independent variable &QUARTER leads to the input field Quarter on the
selection screen. The user is expected to enter quarter 1, 2, 3, or 4.
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([DPSOH A report with three columns for the periods of the quarter which contain the
period p.
Create a value variable &PERIOD for period as the independent variable. The formula
variables have to derive the three periods for the quarter containing the period from the
independent variable. The following formula variables accomplish the task.
Again, this assumes that the first quarter consists of periods 1, 2, and 3, etc. The DIV
operator in the formula denotes division without a remainder (for example, 8 DIV 3 = 2).
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Create 12 formula variables which map the unwanted periods to period 16. If period 16 has
data in your system, use any other period with no data (for example, period 17). Refer all
formula variables to the independent period variables &PER_FROM (period from) and
&PER_TO (period to). These variables will be the independent input variables for the report
selection screen. They determine the period range.
Create a basic set for period and enter the 12 formula variables (or enter in the column
definition in Report Painter). In the report layout, select the parameter Suppress zero columns.
If the from-period is always 1, the formulas simplify to IF p > ’&PERI_TO’ THEN 16 ELSE p
p stands for the period (values 1 to 12).
If you only need four columns for quarters 1 to 4, create four additional columns with
formulas that add up the necessary columns for each quarter, and also suppress the
individual period columns by assigning a column width of zero.
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You can create formula variables that default to the current period and fiscal year taken
from the system date. In addition, for a shifted fiscal year, you can create formula variables
that calculate the proper period and fiscal year from the system date. The following
examples assumes that fiscal year 1999 starts in October 1998:
Description Formula
Calendar year from system date ’#S001’
Calendar month from system date ’#S002’
Shifted fiscal year from system date IF ’#S002’ > 9 THEN ’#S001’ + 1 ELSE ’#S001’
Period from system date IF ’#S002’ > 9 THEN ’#S002’ - 9 ELSE ’#S002’ + 3
You can define formula variables so that the user enters calendar year and period and these
values are internally converted to the fiscal year and period. You need the following
formula variables (the example assumes that fiscal year 1999 starts in October 1998):
The report can now be defined using the variables &FYEAR and &FPER (fiscal year and
period). When running the report, the selection screen has input fields only for the
independent variables &CYEAR and &CPER (calendar year and period) with defaults taken
from the system date. Upon execution, the calendar values are converted to the fiscal values.
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You can only enter formulas directly for numerical fields, for example, period and fiscal
year. If you need to create formula variables for nonnumerical fields, or if you cannot solve
your problem with a formula, you can create a user exit to be used with a formula variable.
User exit
A user exit is a programmable link into the R/3 source code. You can link programs to
user exits. Linked programs remain available even after you upgrade to a higher version
of the R/3 System.
As a model for your user exits you can use the formpool RGSVU000. Create your own
formpool and enter the name in table T80U (up to Release 3.0B) or T80I (Release 3.0C and
greater) (overtype RGSVU000 with name of your formpool). OSS note 22878 gives detailed
instructions how such an exit can reference the value of other value variables. Also see OSS
note 21084 for general instructions.
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A report should display actual data for up to period p and budget data beyond. To this end
you need a variable which sets the version to 000 (= actual version) for periods less than or
equal to p, and for a plan version for periods greater than p. OSS note 22878 describes how to
create a such a formula variable. If the report has 12 columns for periods p = 1 through 12,
you need to create 12 such variables.
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< On the report selection screen, Report Painter/Report Writer will only generate input
fields for independent variables, that is variables that do not depend on the value of
another variable. Always define your variables such that the user only has to enter
independent values. Example: A report displays data for the current year as well as the
previous year. If you define two independent variables for the current and previous
year, respectively, the user has to enter both years on the selection screen. If you define
the previous year variable as a formula variable, which derives its value from the
current year variable, the user only has to enter the current year.
< The independent variable need not be used directly in a report. If a report only uses
dependent variables, Report Painter/Report Writer figures out the independent value
variables and creates input fields for those variables.
< You can only use explicit formulas in formula variables for numerical fields. For
alphanumerical fields you have to define ABAP exits. See OSS note 22878 for more
details.
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With the internet-enabled Release 3.1G, Report Painter/Report Writer also speaks the
language of the Web! You have the following possibilities:
< Export reports in HTML format from within the R/3 System (also available as of Release
3.0F)
< Call reports from a web page
< Call reports via the Web Reporting Browser
For details, see the 3.1G Release note and the online documentation for the function
modules mentioned there. Also, see appendix D for information about the web reporting
browser and the ability to customize HTML reports.
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When building a report and including it in a report group, consider the performance and
processing issues for that report and report group. If you have a series of reports (written on
the same table and library) that are always executed at month-end, put these reports in a
single report group for processing. By grouping them, the system only reads the data from
the table once and then produces each report. If the reports were all in individual report
groups, the system would read the data once for each report group and then produce the
report.
Exception: If all the reports are very large they may need to be broken up into smaller
groups. Timeout errors may occur if you are executing too many large reports online in a
single report group.
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Background processing is often a good way to prevent overuse of system processing. Report
groups can be executed in the background and saved as extracts or sent to the print queue
for printing. If saved as an extract, the end user can bring the report up online and still have
report call, Microsoft Excel, graphics, printing, mail, and download capability. If sent to the
print queue, the report may be printed or viewed.
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SAP delivers several reports in the CO applications and a few reports in the EC and FI
applications. You may want to copy some reports from Client 000 when you first get started.
Check out these reports before you decide to build your own reports to see if any of the
standard reports match your requirements. If one is close, copy it into a new report and
make changes.
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“Variation” is useful in a Report Painter/Writer report. Variation can be performed on any
field in the general data selection of a report. This functionality allows an individual report
to be created for each level and single value of any field in the general data selection area. If
the report contains multiple cost centers and you would like to see an individual report for
each cost center as well as the total, variation accomplishes this for you. To use variation for
a Report Painter report definition, choose Edit → General Data Selection → Variation.
1RWH Variation can be used in combination with the creation of an extract. As of Release
4.0A, the system finds extracts by checking the selection criteria the user filled in on the
selection screen. The crucial point is: if there is an extract created with variation, the
system will find the extract even if the user specifies any of the nodes or single values that
have been part of the varied hierarchy. If the user chooses to display the extract, the user
will be directly guided to the user’s node or value. Before Release 4.0, extracts with
variation could only be entered at the top node. Thus, the best scenario is to create an
extract with variation for the complete hierarchy by starting a batch job at night. The next
day each end user will be able to get their report from the extract just by filling out the
selection screen according to their responsibilities (e.g. month-end-reporting scenario).
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All customer-defined reporting elements within Report Painter/Writer should begin with
an alpha character. Numerical prefixes are reserved for SAP-delivered elements, including
libraries, sets, variables, reports, and report groups.
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Report Painter/Report Writer is a user-friendly tool for currency and quantity type reports
from the R/3 System. You can use Report Painter/Report Writer with various tables, both
standard and user-defined. Because of this flexibility, several applications can benefit from
the tool. Reports can be printed, downloaded, used with graphics, saved as extracts, mailed
via SAP mail, faxed, or simply viewed on the screen.
The following steps are necessary to create a report with the Report Painter/Writer tool:
1. Determine the table needed for the report.
2. Find the library for that table, or create one if necessary.
3. Find or create required sets and variables that may be needed for the characteristics in
the report.
4. Create the report, including the row and column definitions and general data selection.
5. Add the report to a report group for execution. While viewing the executed report, add
texts (headers and footers) and adjust the layout settings.
Additionally, the drilldown function can also be used to access reports throughout R/3.
Similarly, you can create evaluation structures which let you view data in LIS information
structures.
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< The R/3 online documentation for Report Painter and Report Writer:
In the R/3 Library for Release 4.0B, go to: AC-Financials → FI Financial Accounting → FI
Special Purpose Ledger, then follow the links for Report Writer.
< SAP training courses offered by SAP Education and Training:
CA705 for Report Painter and CA710 for Report Writer courses.