Chapter 29 SAP Databse Tables-1

CHAPTER 29 SAP DATA BASE TABLES
Table of Content
1 SAP System Architecture Overview ............................................................... 2
2 What are DBMS and RDBMS? ...................................................................... 3
3 Different types of Tables in SAP for Functional Consultants .......................... 4
4 How to view a Database Table in SAP if you Know Table Name .................. 4
5 Important Tables in Financial Accounting ...................................................... 6
6 Table for Complete Transaction Codes in SAP ............................................. 7
7 How to Find Menu Path for Transaction Codes ............................................. 8
8 How to Transaction Codes for IMG menu ...................................................... 9
9 How to find the table from transactions? ...................................................... 10
10 Table Vs Structure ....................................................................................... 11
11 How to find the table from a Structure.......................................................... 11
12 SAP Query Reports ..................................................................................... 14
13 Functional Specifications ............................................................................. 19
1 venkat.emani@yahoo.com
1 SAP System Architecture Overview
Three-Tiered Architecture
SAP software uses a three-tiered architecture.
Presentation Layer
Various devices could be used to access SAP business software. For example: desktop, mobile
devices, laptops, and so run. This device would be called a presentation layer. You might have
to install a piece of software on these devices so that they could talk to the application server
(computer running the actual SAP software). You could also use your web browser to access
SAP application. Whatever the case may be, the front end device would communicate with the
application server. The device would simply display you a presentation layer while the
application is actually running on the application server. The device is also called a "client".
Application Server
The actual SAP software runs on an application server. Client node simply displays the image of
the screen that is actually being produced on the application server. It is important to note the
application server only runs SAP software. Data is not stored in application server
Database Server
Data is stored on a separate machine called database server. Presentation layer communicates
with application server to retrieve the screen image to be displayed to the user. Application
server in turn communicates with the database server to write data to the database and to
retrieve data from the database. The database server would be hosting a database
management system like Oracle. Oracle is the most popular choice of database to be used with
SAP software. Other databases could be used as well e.g. SQL Server (from Microsoft) and
DB2 (form IBM).
2 What are DBMS and RDBMS?

RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System. RDBMS data is structured in
database tables, fields and records. Each RDBMS table consists of database table rows. Each
database table row consists of one or more database table fields.
RDBMS store the data into collection of tables, which might be related by common fields
(database table columns). RDBMS also provide relational operators to manipulate the data
stored into the database tables. Most RDBMS use SQL as database query language.
Edgar Codd introduced the relational database model. Many modern DBMS do not conform to
the Codd‟s definition of a RDBMS, but nonetheless they are still considered to be RDBMS.
The most popular RDBMS are MS SQL Server, DB2, Oracle and MySQL.
DBMS Vs RDBMS
DBMS is database management systems and RDBMS is relational database management

systems. Though both deal with handling data (which includes storing, deleting, retrieving,
inserting and updating data) the difference is that in DBMS, the data however large, is stored in
a single table. Whereas in RDBMS the data that is to be stored is split appropriately into many
tables under a common database name and these different tables dealing with the same type of
data are related to each other by defining certain relations(so the name 'R' DBMS i.e. relational).
For example, consider the database to store student records. In DBMS, all details like name,
roll, marks, street, city, state, phone will be stored in a single table. But in RDBMS, the database
is splitted something like the name, marks, roll under the 'student details' table and the street,
city, state, phone under the 'Contacts' table. Any information to be obtained is done by the
properly relating the 'student details' and 'contacts' tables. DBMS offers a very limited scope for
data retrieval using queries when compared to RDBMS. Examples of RDBMS are Oracle, MS-
Access.
Example for RDBMS Tables
3 Different types of Tables in SAP for Functional Consultants
1.1 Configuration Tables: It is a customizing data which is entered in the system when the
system is configured and is then rarely changed.
E.g. Company code table, Plant, Purchase Organization, Sales Organization, Payment
Terms
1.2 Master data: It is the data which is seldom changed.
E.g. Vendor Master, Customer Master, GL Master, Asset Master
1.3 Transaction data: It is the data which is often changed

E.g. GL Transactions, Purchase Transactions, Sales Transactions
4 How to view a Database Table in SAP if you Know Table Name

Via Menus
Tools  ABAP WorkbenchOverview Data Browser
Via Transaction Code SE16 or SE11 or SE16N
Provide the table name, you would like to view or select from F4 options
Press Enter and provide the company codes in BURKS field, you would like to view. If it is blank,
system would display all company codes.
Click on to see number of entries in the table

Click on
Details are displayed as below
If you want to see normal name (Field Label) of the field, from menu select
Double click on any entry to see the details as below
5 Important Tables in Financial Accounting
Configuration Tables
T880 Company
T001 Company code
TKA01 Controlling area
T004 Chart of accounts
T077S GL Account groups
T009 Fiscal year variants
T003 Document types
T012 House banks
Master Data
SKA1 GL Accounts – Chart of Accounts data

SKB1 GL Accounts – Company Codes data
LFA1 Vendor master
LFB1 Vendor per company code
LFM1 Purchasing organization data
LFBK Bank details
KNA1 Customer master
KNB1 Customer / company
KNVV Customer sales data
KNBK Bank details
BNKA Bank master record
MARA Material master
Transaction Data
BKPF Accounting documents Header

BSEG Accounting documents Line items
BSID Customer Open Items
BSAD Customer Cleared Items
BSIK Vendors Open Items
BSAK Vendors Cleared Items
6 Table for Complete Transaction Codes in SAP
Question: Where can I find a complete list of SAP transaction codes?
SAP is a very large system with various modules that interconnect with each other. In my
current SAP system there are over 150,000 transaction codes in the entire system. This number
will vary depending upon the modules that you are using within SAP.
Go to transaction SE16 or SE11 and give use below tables
TSTC table will contain all the Transaction codes or

TSTCT table will contain all the Transaction codes with Texts.
Once you entered the screen, click in Top Menu - Utilities - Table contents - Display
If you want to display all the transaction code (total - 57,048) you have to change the
Fields: Maximum number of hits to 99999 (default 500).
Or alternatively, go to transaction SE93
There are two ways where you can find the list of transaction codes in SE93.
Method 1:
You must be familiar with the starting characters strings for each of the R/3 application modules.
Assuming you know that most Financial Accounting transaction codes start with F.
In the Fields: Transaction code, type in F* and press the function key F4
The list of transaction code starting with MM will be displayed.
Method 2:
On the Top Menu, click Utilities - Find - Execute and the first 500 transaction will be display.
If want to display all the transaction codes, make sure you remembered to change the
Fields: Maximum no. of hits right at the bottom of the screen.
7 How to Find Menu Path for Transaction Codes
Question: I know a particular transaction code and can enter and work on it. How
do I know what is the menu path for that transaction code?
Enter search_sap_menu in the command box and when the pop box appears enter, the
transaction code and it will give the nodes and menu path.
Note: This is helpful only in case of SAP Easy Access Menu NOT in case of SPRO i.e. IMG.
Give transaction code for which you would like to know the menu path
Press Enter
Use above menu path to reach the transaction i.e.
AccountingFinancial AccountingGeneral LedgerPostingEnter G/L Account Document
This functionality may not be available for certain transaction codes
8 How to Transaction Codes for IMG menu
Question: I want to know whether transaction codes available for IMG activities
similar to SAP Easy Access Menu. If yes, how to find them?
Go to SPRO /IMG Screen and select as below
Screen would appear like this
In general, last 4 digits of information displayed under “Addition information” would be

transaction code for the customization setting.
E.g1. For Company code creation, you can use transaction is OX02
E.g2. For Company creation, you can use transaction is OX15
9 How to find the table from transactions?
Question: I’m a Functional Consultant and how can I know the database table in
which certain information is saved?
Use F1 Function Key and F9 (Technical Information)
Go to any transaction for example F-02, place cursor any filed like Document Date or Posting
Date
Press F1 function Key from Key Board and then press F9 or Technical information button
Another example is here. Go to FK03 and then go to Company code data
10 Table Vs Structure
Sometimes, when you click on a field then hit F1-F9 and it shows a structure and not a real
table, sometimes the easiest way to find the real transparent table behind is to try another field
on the same area of the screen.
Tables
Represent the Database Tables where data actually resides
Tables can be defined independently of the database in the ABAP Dictionary
The fields of the table are defined with their (database-independent) SAP ABAP
data type and length
Structures
Represents record declarations that do not corresponds to Database Table
Structure contains data only during run time
11 How to find the table from a Structure
Use Where Used on the Data Element

When faced with a structure is to use the where used List on the data element. This can have
mixed results but can often show a list of tables that can be quite useful.
For Example, go to transaction code FB50
In this case, System displayed Structure name instead of table.
From within the technical information pop up (F1-F9) click on the data element then press
navigate
Double Click on
Click on Where Used List button in the below screen
Select Table Fields in the below screen
Press Enter search for the data base table here
You can find out a table here, if not, you may have to take the help of a Developer (ABAPer)
Alternatively, go to transaction SE90
Select ABAP DictionaryFields click on Table Fields
Give Data Element Name in Filed Name as below
Click on
Field BLDAT ( Document date) is used in many tables as you can see in the below list.
You can use scroll down /up option to see an didentify the correct table.
12 SAP Query Reports
12.1 SAP Query Reports when data is from only one table
SAP Query is a very powerful tool in SAP to get reports quickly without any programming
knowledge. Thus an SAP consultant does not have to depend on an ABAP programmer to get a
report developed.
Whenever Functional Consultants need to generate reports quickly without doing any ABAP
coding, we take the help of ABAP Queries. Sometimes, we require data to test our program. In
such cases, we have to get records from different tables that satisfy our requirement, say,
requirement which needs invoices whose value is greater than 1000 etc.
Unlike table browser (SE16), reports from SAP Query can be saved.
Prerequisite: You should be familiar with Database Table names.
Path: SAP Easy AccessInformation SystemsAd Hoc Reports SAP Query (T-code SQ01)
Give Report Name “VENDOR”
Click on
Click on
Click on
Select the selection fields and fields to be displayed (List Fields) in below screen
Click on and click on
Click on
12.2 SAP Query Reports when data is from multiple tables (Table Join)
Click on
Click on
Give description and Select Database source as Table Join
Click on
Click on (Insert Table)
Click on
Click on
Click on
This shows all available fields within the selected tables and all the links between them.
In this instance there is only one link between all three tables and that is the vendor number
(LIFNR). The links need to be checked as sometimes they are not correct.
To check a link - right click on the line and select „Display join condition‟. Both fields should
be the same (apart from the numbering).
To delete an incorrect join – right click on the line and select „Remove join condition‟.
To add the correct join – click and drag the field from the left hand table to the
corresponding field on the right hand table and release.
Once the tables and joins have been set, click the Green „Back‟ Arrow.
Select Selection fields and Display fields in the below screen
Click on and click on
Click on
13 Functional Specifications
What is Functional Specification?
The Functional Specification describes the features of the desired functionality. It describes the
product's features as seen by the stake holders, and contains the technical information and
the data needed for the design and development.
The Functional Specification document to create a detailed design document that explains in
detail how the software will be designed and developed.
At the consultant level the functional specs are prepared by functional consultants on any
functionality for the purpose of getting the same functionality designed by the technical people
as most of the times the functionalities according to the requirements of the clients are not
available on readymade basis.
Tips to write Functional Specification

Here are some tips to write great functional specs. The objective should be that the technical
guy should understand it in one go and to reduce any further clarification.
1. Understand the requirement completely. This will depend on your business understanding.
Make sure that the client’s requirement cannot be met through standard SAP before working on
it. Please suggest the client if any alternative business process which is supported by SAP and
meets his requirement too.
2. In case of reports you must be competent to decide whether it’s a R/3 or BW report. One
example - if the report involves data analytics (like you do in pivot table of excel) it will be a BW
report. However its data collection will be done in R/3.
3. You must mention the business need and business value the report/enhancement will add
to the business. This is for future reference and also to convince the other users.
4. Any legacy system changes to be done once the enhancement/report is run should also be
mentioned. You can mention changes regarding business process or data. This may be an input
for change management team and also for cutover strategy.
5. In case of interface please do mention if it’s a display or non display document.
6. Please do not write the structure in place of table and field. Make some effort and find out
in which field the data is stored. ABAPer will appreciate it.
7. Don’t just write table and field name but also give the data pulling logic. This is perhaps
the most important part. At times it is really difficult to make the technical guy understand how
the data is getting pulled. Without understanding this he can’t proceed further.
8. Be careful about the data volume while designing the input screen of a customized report.
You must very carefully decide which of these should be mandatory and optional else it will
create a performance issue at the time of load testing.
Please note that every implementation has its own unique format for writing functional specs
however, the above mentioned points needs to be covered to make it more communicative and
effective.
14 Content of a Functional Specifications - Sample
This is a functional specification template sample you can use to create your own functional
specification for a report program.
1. Business Requirements.
In this section you have to describe the development process in a plain English, specify the
program purpose and back ground.
2. Functional Specification.
2.1 Functional Design.
In this section you should give an overview of the functional design, indicate a short description
of the program and any alternative processes if any.)
2.2 Test Scenario.

Provide test scenario for the ABAPER so that they can cover all the scenarios that you want to
catch in the program.
2.3 Authorization
2.3.1 SAP Authorization Object.
You should describe the security requirements in terms of level of information and sensitivity,
authorization restrictions, for example perform authorization check based on plant.
2.3.2 ABAP authorization Object.

You should describe the security requirements in terms of level of information and sensitivity,
authorization restrictions that SAP doesn‟t provide and can be only carried out in the program,
e.g. perform authorization check on repeat printing.
2.4. Assumptions
In this section you should specify important assumptions.
2.4.1. Custom Formula

If you have any custom calculation, then you should put the indicator here, for example you
have a total formula calculation by specific customer request.
2.5 Selection Criteria

In this section, you should describe the program logic and also the selection screen parameters
for the program. For example, the field name, description, field name type (single parameter,
select option), SAP source field, default value.
2.5.1 Form Fields

In this section you should map the report layout with the tables columns name, for example you
have 5 columns in your report, then you should stated 1st column = table name-fieldname, etc.
3. Appendix

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CHAPTER 29 SAP DATA BASE TABLES

1 SAP System Architecture Overview

SAP software uses a three-tiered architecture.

2 What are DBMS and RDBMS?

DBMS is database management systems and RDBMS is relational database management

Example for RDBMS Tables

3 Different types of Tables in SAP for Functional Consultants

1.2 Master data: It is the data which is seldom changed.

E.g. Vendor Master, Customer Master, GL Master, Asset Master

1.3 Transaction data: It is the data which is often changed

4 How to view a Database Table in SAP if you Know Table Name

Click on to see number of entries in the table

Double click on any entry to see the details as below

SKA1 GL Accounts – Chart of Accounts data

BKPF Accounting documents Header

Question: Where can I find a complete list of SAP transaction codes?

Go to transaction SE16 or SE11 and give use below tables

TSTC table will contain all the Transaction codes or

Or alternatively, go to transaction SE93

The list of transaction code starting with MM will be displayed.

Use above menu path to reach the transaction i.e.

AccountingFinancial AccountingGeneral LedgerPostingEnter G/L Account Document

This functionality may not be available for certain transaction codes

Go to SPRO /IMG Screen and select as below

Screen would appear like this

In general, last 4 digits of information displayed under “Addition information” would be

E.g2. For Company creation, you can use transaction is OX15

Use F1 Function Key and F9 (Technical Information)

Another example is here. Go to FK03 and then go to Company code data

11 How to find the table from a Structure

Use Where Used on the Data Element

Click on Where Used List button in the below screen

Select Table Fields in the below screen

Press Enter search for the data base table here

Select ABAP DictionaryFields click on Table Fields

Give Data Element Name in Filed Name as below

Give Report Name “VENDOR”

Click on and click on

Click on (Insert Table)

Click on (Insert Table)

Click on (Insert Table)

Click on and click on

Tips to write Functional Specification

2.2 Test Scenario.

2.3.2 ABAP authorization Object.

2.4.1. Custom Formula

2.5 Selection Criteria

2.5.1 Form Fields

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