Describing the Print Workbench

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to explain the print workbench

Print Workbench

A description of the Print Workbench tool, highlighting features like generating printed forms, dynamically generated print programs, full integration with applications, high flexibility, faster creation, and separation of data retrieval and layout design.

The print workbench is a tool that enables you to work with SAPscript, Smart Forms, or PDF more easily.

The print workbench is an improved tool that makes data retrieval, flexible, and easy to understand.

The print workbench separates data retrieval from the layout design of a form.

A diagram illustrating the relationship between a database, form class, print program, and application form in the context of generating layouts for SAPscript, Smart Form, and PDF Form. The database feeds into the form class library and print program, which in turn generates application forms based on event-controlled hierarchies for layout output.

The form class is created by SAP and should not be changed by the customer.

The form class represents a superset of data that can be used in an application form.

The form class results in ABAP coding and is copied to the print program when generated.

The application form is created by the customer.

The application form enables the customer to define the sequence of text modules.

The application form enables the customer to determine what data is printed in a text.

The SAPscript or Smart form is created by the customer as well.

The SAPscript or Smart form is used to define where and how data is to be printed (layout).

Smart Forms have the following advantages over SAPscript:

  • More efficient creation and maintenance of forms (reduces the time by half)

  • More flexible creation of form layout (for example, with tables and templates)

  • Form adjustment without programming knowledge as a result of graphical user interface

  • Clear separation between data selection, form preparation, and form logic

  • Web publishing using a generated XML output

  • Performance improvement

Flowchart of the Form Class indicates it's maintained by SAP, provides a logical view, detailed information, represents all possible data, and is integrable and reusable with application forms.

The form classes are updated with each SAP update.

Image of a flowchart titled The Application Form listing various properties like: allocated to a form class, maintained by the customer, created using SAPscript or Smart Forms, reflects flow logic, contains multiple user exits, can be grouped with other forms, integrated via form class, and generates a complete print program.

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