A standard F4 input process is defined by defining a search help. If this standard process does not have the required characteristics, you can change it at fixed times using a search help exit.

A search help exit is a function module which is called at certain times by the F4 help processor. You can store your own program logic in this function module. The search help exit must have the same interface as function module F4IF_SHLP_EXIT_EXAMPLE (is used as pattern for all the search help exits to be created). You can find more information in the documentation for the function module.

The search help exit is called at the following times:

1. Before displaying the dialog box for selecting the required search path.

It is only called for collective search helps. Using the search help exit, the set of elementary search helps available can for example be restricted depending on the context.

2. Before displaying the dialog box for entering search conditions.

You can either influence the dialog for entering search conditions or skip it altogether here. You can also influence how the selection screen looks.

3. Before value selection.

The value selection can be partly or completely copied from the search help exit.

4. Before displaying the hit list.