Screens for Characteristics Management
To classify SAP master data, start by creating characteristics.
The following video introduces characteristics creation.
Characteristic Status
After you have created a characteristic, you need to specify whether and how you will work with it.To do this, you'll use the Characteristic status.
You maintain statuses for characteristics in Customizing for classification. The following options are available:
- Characteristics with status In preparation cannot be used in classes.
- Characteristics with status Released can be used in classes without restrictions.
- Characteristics with status Locked can no longer be used in classes. This status does not affect classes where the characteristic is already used.
Characteristic Formats
After you've defined the initial data for a characteristic and set its status, the next step is to define its 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 be up to 15 characters long.
- Units and Length: You can set units for the values and specify their length.
- Decimal Places: Decimal places reduce the total length of the characteristic. Note that the decimal point and thousand separators are not counted.
- Exponents: To convert values to powers of 10, you can use standard exponent formats like 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 value must always be assigned during classification.
- Interval Values: Set the Interval values allowed indicator if you need to enter interval values.
The image below shows examples.
CHAR Format
If you want to enter alphanumeric values, select the CHAR data type.
Alphanumeric values can be up to 30 characters long. With customizing settings (activate extended fields), this can be extended to 70 characters.
The following video explains the character format
Here are a few tips for customizing CHAR format:
- Case Sensitivity: You can specify whether uppercase and lowercase characters are treated as different. If not, all values are automatically converted to uppercase.
- Templates for Values: You can define a template for entering values. Templates can include alphanumeric characters, numbers, and separators.
- Language-Dependent Descriptions: Descriptions that depend on the language can be defined only for values with the CHAR format.
- Entry Requirement: To ensure a value is always assigned to a characteristic during classification, set the Entry Required indicator.
Allowed Values
You can specify which values the system will accept for your characteristic. The following image provides an example.
Optional Specification: Entering allowed values for a characteristic is optional. If you do not specify allowed values, you can enter any value that matches the defined format when classifying objects.
Binding Values: The allowed values or intervals you define are binding for classification. However, you can set an indicator to permit additional values.
Default Value: You can set a default value for a characteristic, which will be displayed when using the characteristic to classify objects.
Screens for Class Management
To classify SAP master data, begin by defining characteristics. Next, define the relevant class.
The following video introduces the screens you'll use when defining classes and provides some preliminary tips.
When creating a class, you must enter basic data, including a description and the class status. Filling out other screens is optional.
Keywords Screen: To simplify finding the class using matchcodes or search help, enter search strings on the Keywords screen. You do not need to re-enter the class description here.
- Characteristics Screen: Assign characteristics to the class on the Characteristics screen.
Class Types
The class type is essential for class maintenance. It determines which object types can be classified within a class.
Watch the following video for a deeper understanding of class types.
The class type plays a central role in class maintenance, determining which object types can be included in a class.
Class Status
When creating a class, the class status controls its behavior and use in downstream processes.
The following video details the class status.