Table Functions in SAP HANA

12/22/2020 Table Functions in SAP HANA – step by step guide - SAPSPOT
Table Functions in SAP HANA – step by step

guide
 March 4, 2019 (http://www.sapspot.com/table-functions-in-sap-hana-step-by-step-guide/)  webadmin
(http://www.sapspot.com/author/webadmin/)
SAP HANA Table Functions

Recently I spoke to multiple developers working on SAP HANA Native system for developing reports.
What really surprised me was the fact, that most of them are still using calculation views of a SQL
Script type instead of Table Functions. What is more, some of them were even not aware that these
type of views are deprecated and replaced by Table Functions. I also haven’t found any step by step
tutorial describing when to create Table Functions, how to do that, what are the benefits and how to
consume them in calculation views.
This inspired me to write the article about Table Functions and share my experience on that topic.
What are Table Functions?

Since SP11 calculation views of SQL Script type are deprecated. As an alternative SAP introduced
new development artifact called Table Function. HANA provides Migration tool, which enables
automatic conversion script-based Calculation View into Table Function.
www.sapspot.com/table-functions-in-sap-hana-step-by-step-guide/ 1/13
Table functions are used whenever the graphical views are not sufficient i.e. for loops, executing
custom functions or complex queries.
What are the Pros and Cons of using Table Functions?

Pros:
SQL Script gives much more functionality and flexibility (more functions available, complex logic
can be implemented in easier way, SQL can be combined with Application Function Library –
AFL giving even more functions for complex analysis)
Cons:
Maintenance is much more difficult (preserving order and data types of output columns; data
preview for part of code is not so straightforward comparing to previewing nodes in graphical
views; when changing output – both Table Function and view on top of it needs to be adjusted;
etc.)
Multiple-value input parameters are not supported (there is no easy way of passing multiple
values into single input parameter to Table Function, however there is workaround for that)
By definition graphical views provide better performance thanks to HANA’s optimizer
No GUI available – SQL Script knowledge is necessary
Generally Table Functions should are used in case if the logic cannot be covered by graphical view or
the logic is too complex to model it graphically.
How to create Table Function?

Scenario: Business wants to display a report showing number of working days between
“ORDERDATE” and “SHIPPEDDATE“. To calculate it we need to use WORKDAYS_BETWEEN SQL
function, which is not available in graphical view. Additionally this function should display orders only
for specific period of time which will be provided by the user.
To start developing database objects, go to Development Perspective:
Go to Repositories tab:
Right click on destination package and select New -> Other
In wizard type Table Function, select it and click Next
Provide Table Function name and click Finish
Table function window will open.
Adjust the code to the requirements
I. [Optional] Provide input parameters including data types. This is needed when you want to
parametrize Table Function.
II. [Mandatory] Set TABLE as the output type.
III. [Optional] Provide default schema for the query. This is needed when you transport the function
between instances with different schemas i.e. in development system you are using “DEV” schema,
but on production all tables are placed in “PROD” schema. If you provide the default schema in the
definition of Table Function, then while transporting this schema will be automatically replaced with the
schema of target system (based on schema mapping). When applying default value for schema
mapping, in the query you should use table names without schemas i.e simply use “ORDERS” instead
of “DEV“.”ORDERS“.
IV. [Mandatory] Add RETURN phrase before the final select statement.
V. [Mandatory] Add select statement.
VI. [Optional] Apply input parameters in the WHERE clause. Add leading colons (“:”) when calling
each parameter.
VII. [Mandatory] Add semicolon (“;”) at the end of the statement.
VIII. [Mandatory] List all the output columns. Preserve the columns order, column names (case
sensitive) and their data types consistent with the select statement
After writing Table Function definition activate it and make sure that there is no error after activation.
Be aware that any of Data Definition (CREATE, ALTER, etc.) or Data Manipulation (INSERT, UPDATE
etc.) operators are not allowed in Table Functions.
How to query Table Functions?

Calling table Functions in SQL console is very easy. They are executed in the FROM clause. When
executing the function, provide whole name of the function. In brackets provide values for input
parameters. If there are no input parameters – leave the brackets empty ( they are always
mandatory!!! ).
How to consume Table Function in Calculation View?

Using Table Function as a source in Calculation View is also very simple. Create a new calculation
view, and when adding object for the projection, type name of the Table Function:
If Table Function is using input parameters you need to recreate them also in the view. Go to
Parameters/Variables tab, click on Input Parameter Manage Mapping and select Data sources.
Click Auto Map By Name button to automatically copy input parameters from the Table Functions to
the view.
Now when previewing data on the view, there will be pop up with input parameters. Once values are
inputted they will be passed directly to the table function and results will be displayed.
What are the limitations of Table Functions?

The main limitation of table function is that you can pass only single values for each input parameter,
which can be very annoying, because in most cases user wants to have possibility to pass multiple
values in selection criteria of his report.
There is a workaround for that limitation, which can help to fulfill requirement of passing multiple
values directly to the query.
 SAP HANA (http://www.sapspot.com/category/erp/sap-hana/)  SAP BW/4HANA

(http://www.sapspot.com/tag/sap-bw4hana/), sap hana (http://www.sapspot.com/tag/sap-hana/).  permalink
(http://www.sapspot.com/table-functions-in-sap-hana-step-by-step-guide/).
 SLT based HANA replication-FusionOps activity (http://www.sapspot.com/slt-based-hana-replication-

fusionops-activity/)
Mass Transports Import in SAP  (http://www.sapspot.com/mass-transports-import-in-sap/)
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12/22/2020 Table Functions in SAP HANA – step by step guide - SAPSPOT

Table Functions in SAP HANA – step by step

SAP HANA Table Functions

What are Table Functions?

What are the Pros and Cons of using Table Functions?

How to create Table Function?

To start developing database objects, go to Development Perspective:

Right click on destination package and select New -> Other

In wizard type Table Function, select it and click Next

Provide Table Function name and click Finish

Table function window will open.

Adjust the code to the requirements

II. [Mandatory] Set TABLE as the output type.

V. [Mandatory] Add select statement.

VII. [Mandatory] Add semicolon (“;”) at the end of the statement.

How to query Table Functions?

How to consume Table Function in Calculation View?

What are the limitations of Table Functions?

 SAP HANA (http://www.sapspot.com/category/erp/sap-hana/)  SAP BW/4HANA

 SLT based HANA replication-FusionOps activity (http://www.sapspot.com/slt-based-hana-replication-

Mass Transports Import in SAP  (http://www.sapspot.com/mass-transports-import-in-sap/)

Basics of SAP HANA (http://www.sapspot.com/basics-sap-hana/)

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