Search helps can be used to assign an input help (F4 help) to fields in input masks.

The following steps are usually carried out when a user calls an input help:

1. The user starts the input help to display the possible input values for a field in a screen mask.
2. The system offers the user a number of possible search paths.
3. The user selects one of these search paths.

Each search path offers a number of restrictions to limit the number of possible input values. These values are offered in a dialog box when the search path is selected.

4. The user enters restrictions if required and then starts the search.
5. The system determines the values which satisfy the entered restrictions (hits) and displays them as a list.
6. The user selects the most suitable line from the hit list.
7. The input value is copied to the screen mask (possibly together with other values).

Steps 2 and 3 are omitted if there is only a single search path available. In this case the dialog box is offered immediately for the value selection.

• Collective search help: A collective search help comprises several elementary search helps. It combines all the search paths which make sense for a field. In a collective search help, the exchange of values between the screen mask and the selection method (interface of the collective search help) must be defined. The value selection and the settings for online behavior are taken from the elementary search helps.