Setting Up Reporting Elements

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
  • Outline the purpose of InfoSets
  • Modify a user group
  • Transport an InfoSet from the global area (cross-client) to the standard area (client-specific)

InfoSet Basics

InfoSets are special views of logical databases, which determine the fields of the logical database that can be reported by queries.

Because the system contains a large number of fields in logical databases, it is not practical to offer all of them for selection when creating queries. Therefore, before creating queries, you need to create InfoSets.

Each logical database has a standard selection screen that is determined by the structure of the logical database. Irrespective of the structure of the database tables used, the selection screen contains the selection parameters that are most frequently used. When you define reports with logical databases, you seldom need to select selection fields explicitly, because they are already included in the standard selection screen.

Another method of acquiring an overview of the selection parameters of a logical database consists of defining and executing a query on the logical database. All of the selection parameters are included in the selection screen. If many parameters are available, you can display them by choosing Further Selections.

Customer infotypes (namespace 9000-9999) can be included in InfoSets created for HR components.

InfoSets are assigned to user groups and are structured according to their field groups. Field groups in HR correspond to infotypes.

InfoSets and User Groups

InfoSets are only available to users if the users have been assigned to user groups.

The prerequisites for working with Ad Hoc Query and SAP Query are as follows:

  1. You have created InfoSets and user groups.
  2. You have assigned InfoSets to user groups.
  3. Users can now create queries.

User Groups

To set up an appropriate working environment for end users, the system administrator maintains user groups. Users who work in the same application are grouped together in user groups.

All users assigned to a user group can execute the queries of that group, irrespective of which user defined the query. However, users assigned to a user group can only change and redefine queries if they have the appropriate authorization.

Users can copy and execute queries in any of the user groups to which they belong. Whether or not they can change existing queries of those user groups depends upon whether or not the change lock has been implemented. Each user can be assigned to more than one user group.

Modify a User Group

ExerciseStart Exercise

Business Example

You need to create your own queries and save them in your own user group to ensure they are not changed. For this reason, you need to display your own user group and assign the required InfoSets.

Hint

You work in the default standard area (client-specific). The user group is already set up.

Steps

  1. Display your user group S4HR58## (## is your group number) and assign yourself to it.

    1. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose Tools → ABAP Workbench → Utilities → SAP Query → User Groups(SQ03).

    2. On the User Groups: Initialscreen, choose Environment → Query areas.

    3. In the Work Areas dialog box, select Standard area (client-specific), and choose the Choose pushbutton.

    4. In the User group field, enter the name of your user group as S4HR58##, where ## is the group number.

    5. Choose the Display pushbutton. This will take you to the User Group S4HR58##: Displayscreen which confirms the setup of your user group. Close this screen.

    6. Choose the Assign users and InfoSets pushbutton. The User Group S4HR58##: Assign Users screen displays.

  2. Assign InfoSets S4HR58PNPMINI and S4HR58PNPPCH to your user group.

    1. On the User Group S4HR58##: Assign Users screen choose the Assign InfoSets pushbutton.

    2. Select the S4HR58PNPMINI and S4HR58PNPPCH InfoSets.

    3. Save your entries. You can now use Ad Hoc Query to access these InfoSets.

  3. In your user group, maintain parameter AQB (Setting Up User Group) with parameter value S4HR58##.

    1. Choose System → User Profile → User Data.

    2. On the Maintain User Profile screen, choose the Parameters tab page.

    3. In the Set/Get parameter ID column, find the parameter AQB and in the parameter value field enter S4HR58##.

    4. Save your entries.

    5. Return to the SAP Easy Access screen.

Query Areas

Query areas are of two types: standard and global.

In the standard query area, all query objects, such as queries, InfoSets, and user groups, are created and managed per client. The query objects are not linked to the Workbench Organizer. Therefore, they cannot be entered and transported using the normal correction and transport procedures. This enables end users to develop queries in their clients that are not intended for system-wide use.

In the global query area, query objects are cross-client. They are linked to the Workbench Organizer and can be entered and transported using the normal correction and transport procedures. However, you are not required to run any activity before or after transports. Therefore, the global query area is suitable for queries that are developed and distributed as centrally usable objects.

Note

Query objects that are delivered by SAP are also stored in the global query area.

InfoSet Transports

The transactions used to maintain query objects check the name syntax. You are allowed to use only name prefixes for query objects in the global query area. SAP Query objects can be imported into the global area (cross-client) when the system is upgraded. These objects provided by SAP use the reserved name prefix /SAPQUERY/.

If you create queries in a user group whose prefix belongs to SAP, a partner, or another customer, the queries inherit the prefix of their user group. Such user groups could end up in the system after a release upgrade or transport. The query then constitutes part of the objects assigned to the namespace specified by the prefix of the user group.

Transport an InfoSet

ExerciseStart Exercise

Business Example

You need to work with a global InfoSet in the standard area (client-specific). For this reason, you need to know how to transport an InfoSet.

Switch to the global area (cross-client) and select any standard InfoSet. Use the Transport InfoSets option and type MERGE in the import option. Perform an initial test transport and determine whether the required InfoSet is transported.

Steps

  1. Transport an InfoSet from the global area (cross-client) to the standard area (client-specific).

    1. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose Tools → ABAP Workbench → Utilities → SAP Query → InfoSets(SQ02).

      Note

      Alternatively, you can choose Human Resources → Information System → Settings → Current Settings → SAP Query: Maintain InfoSets.

    2. To switch to the global query area, choose Environment → Query areas. The Work Areas dialog box, which enables you to select a query area, opens.

    3. Select Global area (cross-client), and choose the Choose pushbutton.

    4. Select any InfoSet from the list and choose Transports.

    5. The SAP Query: Transport tool screen displays. In the Transport Action selection area, select Copy Global Area → Standard Areaand in the Transport Option selection area, select Transport InfoSets.

    6. In the Import option field, enter MERGE, and in the InfoSets field, enter the name of the InfoSet to be transported.

    7. Select Test run, and then choose Execute to start the transport.

    8. Check the resulting log to determine whether the InfoSet can be transported. If the transport does not trigger any problems, deselect Test run.

    9. To start the transport, choose Execute.

    10. Return to the InfoSet: Initial screen.

  2. Switch back to the standard query area and rename the InfoSet Standard_##.

    1. To switch to the standard query area, choose Environment → Query areas. The system displays a dialog box that enables you to select a query area.

    2. In the Work Areas dialog box, select Standard area (client-specific) and selectChoose.

    3. Select the InfoSet you transported from the list.

    4. Choose InfoSet → Rename.

    5. In the Rename InfoSet dialog box, enter the new name Standard## in the To field.

    6. Choose Continue.

    7. You are still in the InfoSet: Initial screen.

  3. Assign the InfoSet to your user group.

    1. Choose Role/User Group Assignment.

    2. Select your user group S4HR58##.

    3. Save your entries.

Learning

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