Screens for Characteristics Management
When you want to classify SAP master data, the first step is to create the characteristics.
The following video introduces characteristics creation.
Characteristic Formats
After defining the initial data for a characteristic and setting its status, the next step is to define the characteristic format. Two commonly used formats are numeric (NUM) and character (CHAR).
NUM Format
Choose the NUM data type if you need to enter numeric values.
- Value Length: Numeric values can have a maximum length of 15 characters.
- Units and Length: You can assign units to the values and define their length.
- Decimal Places: Decimal places reduce the total available length of the characteristic. Note that decimal points and thousand separators are not counted.
- Exponents: To convert values to powers of ten, you can use standard exponent notation such as 1,E±XX. For example:
- 1000 = 1,000E+03
- 100 = 1,000E+02
- 0.001 = 1,000E-03 You can also enter exponents manually or use scientific formats like milli, micro, or mega.
- Entry Required: Set the Entry Required indicator if a characteristic value must always be assigned during classification.
- Interval Values: Set the Interval Values Allowed indicator if interval values are required.
The image below shows examples.
CHAR Format
The image below shows examples of characteristics defined using the CHAR format.
If you need to enter alphanumeric values, select the CHAR data type.
Alphanumeric values can have a maximum length of 30 characters. By activating extended fields in Customizing, this length can be increased to up to 70 characters.
The following video explains key features of the character (CHAR) format.
Allowed Values
You can define which values are permitted for a characteristic. The following image shows an example of allowed values.
Optional Specification: Defining allowed values for a characteristic is optional. If no allowed values are specified, any value that matches the defined format can be entered when classifying objects.
Binding Values: The allowed values or value intervals you define are binding during classification. However, you can set an indicator that allows users to enter additional values beyond those predefined.
Default Value: You can define a default value for a characteristic. This value is automatically proposed when the characteristic is used to classify objects.
Screens for Class Management
To classify SAP master data, you first define the characteristics and then create the appropriate class.
The following video introduces the relevant class definition screens and offers some initial guidance.
Class Types
The class type is a key element in class maintenance. It defines which object types can be classified within a class.
Watch the following video for a deeper understanding of class types.
Class Status
When creating a class, the class status controls how the class can be used and how it behaves in downstream processes.
The following video details the class status.