Defining Columns (SAP Library

Defining Columns

Position the cursor on the column you want to define, and choose Edit ® Elements ® Insert element, or double-click the element.

In the subsequent dialog box, specify what type the element should be:

Key figure with characteristics

You combine a basic key figure with the characteristics you require.

Predefined key figure

An appropriate combination of a basic key figure and one or more characteristics is offered by the system. You can accept the predefined key figure or change it.

Formula

This option is only available if other elements are already defined.

You can use the formula builder to calculate the values of the column. You can use other columns or previously defined cells for the calculation.

For information on the terminology of the elements, see Terminology.

Choose Confirm.

If you chose key figure with characteristics,

a dialog box appears on which you can select the combination of basic key figure and associated characteristics to be displayed in the column being defined.

In the upper area of the dialog box, select the basic key figure that you want to use in the report.

From the list of available characteristics on the right-hand side of the dialog box, choose the characteristics you want to use. Move these to the left-hand side of the screen with the arrow. The characteristics displayed are those of the library assigned to your report. The order in which the characteristics appear in the selection list is determined by the Position field in the library definition.

On the left-hand side of the dialog box, enter the values for the selected characteristic(s):

You can enter individual values, intervals of values, or groups for the chosen characteristic(s).

If you want to define all possible values for the chosen characteristic(s), enter an asterisk (*).

If you want to specify an initial value for the chosen characteristic(s), enter a pound sign (#).

If you want to enter a variable instead of a characteristic value, select . Enter the name of the variable and choose Confirm. You can only enter variables that already exist in your system. For more information, see Variables.

If you want to enter a characteristic value in the form of a set, select . Enter the name of the set and choose Confirm. You can only enter sets that already exist in the system. For more information, see Sets in Report Columns.

If you chose predefined key figure,

a list of predefined key figures is displayed, from which you can choose the key figure you want to use.

In the subsequent dialog box, you only need to enter the values for the characteristics. You can also change the key figure at this point, as described under key figure with characteristics.

If you chose formula,

a formula builder is displayed with which you can define a formula using other report columns and the previously defined cells. The column is calculated using the formula.

You can define formulas that refer to elements in different column blocks. However, you can only define formulas within one report section.

Choose and enter short, medium, and long texts for the column.
Choose Check and then Confirm.
To define additional columns, carry out steps 1 to 5 again.

You can copy report columns. Select a column and position the cursor where you want to insert the column. Choose Edit ® Selected area ® Copy. You can then change the copied column as desired.

You may find it useful to use sets to define entire blocks of columns. For more information, see the SAP Library under Creating Sets and Using Sets in Report Columns.

Column Texts

If you want to change the text you entered for the report column, you can simply overtype the column text or position the cursor on the column element and choose Edit ® Elements ® Change text.

Under Formatting ® Row/column texts you can specify which of the three text formats (short, medium, long) you want to use in the column header.

You can also use variables in your column headings. When you execute the report, the variables will be replaced with their default values if the column text type Key is selected in the report’s standard layout. To use a variable for the column text, enter the variable in the dialog box for the three column texts. First enter & and then the name of the variable.

Suppose your report uses the value variable &PERIOD for the period, and you want to display the current value for the period in a column heading. Enter <&PERIOD> in the column heading of the report. If the column text type Key is selected in your report’s standard layout, the variable is replaced with the period value (for example, 5) when you execute the report. The description is printed for all other column text types (for example, May).

Editing Columns

The options under Edit ® Columns allow you to select a variety of functions for editing report columns.

The option Edit ® Get column model or Insert column model inserts a predefined column structure into your report columns. For more information, see Defining Row and Column Models.

The Edit ® Columns ® Hide function hides the report row on which the cursor is positioned. You can process hidden columns in the same manner as the hidden rows.

Using Formula Variables in Report Columns

A formula variable represents a user-defined formula that establishes a value for the variable. Numerical value variables and formula variables can be used as operands in column formulas. Using formula variables in report columns enables you to create new types of reports.

For more information, see Formula Variables in Reports.