Extracts 
Extracts
Use
To reduce the necessary runtime for formatting report data, you can create an extract when you execute a report. An extract is a dataset that contains the report data selected at the time the extract was created.
Extracts provide the same navigation and formatting options as reports selected directly from the database.
The main differences between an extract and a report are shown in the following table:
Main Differences Between Report and Extract
|
Report (Newly Selected) |
Extract | |
Currentness of data |
Data is current |
Data is no more recent than the time the extract was created |
Authorization check |
On each record |
Only on entire report |
Runtime |
Generally long runtimes with large database structures, plus additional time for report output |
Runtime only for report output |
Aside from these differences, extracts offer full report functionality. When you call up a report that uses an extract, the system does not have to select the report data directly from the database. As a result, processing time improves considerably.
If you create an extract and then make changes to the data structure in Customizing, this can result in inconsistencies between the current data structure and the structure in the extract. The data of the extract can therefore no longer be displayed.
After a release upgrade, it is no longer possible to display reports saved as extracts. However, extracts can still be displayed after an upgrade of the maintenance level of your R/3 System.
Integration
The final step in defining a
report group is executing the report group. You generate an extract when you execute the report with reference to the selection parameters entered at the time the report is executed. You can therefore create multiple extracts of the same report by entering different selection criteria each time.If you called up the report using an extract, the system outputs the report using the extract data.
If you called up your report by selecting data from the database, the system outputs the report according to the selection criteria you specified and formats the report according to the report definition.
For more information, see
Executing a Report Group.Features
In
expert mode, you can create extracts on the selection screen (for more information, see General Data Selection) if you execute a report group and choose the button Extract parameters... and then the mode Create extract. Alternatively, you can save your report output as an extract when you exit the report. In this case, the system displays a dialog box, asking whether you want to save the report in an extract file.If you call up a report when Display extract is selected as the data source, the system checks whether any extracts are available that match the selection criteria. You can then choose from among the available extracts. You can also search for, display, and print extracts using extract management. In both cases, direct access is possible to all extracts generated within a variation.
Extracts are deleted either manually in extract management or automatically based on an expiration date that you can specify when you create the extract.
Once an extract has been deleted, it cannot be retrieved.
For more information, see
Creating an Extract and
Managing Extracts.