Variables allow you more flexibility in defining your forms and reports. Variables are report parameters which you do not want to specify until you define or execute the report. You can use different methods for replacing variables. Depending on how often you want to use them, you can define your variables globally or locally.

If you use a variable frequently, you should define it globally. This makes it possible to use the variable in all your forms and reports.

The entries you need to make may differ depending on the variable type you choose.

Note that when you change an existing global variable, this may affect a number of reports and forms which already use it.

If you want to create a variable which you only need in one particular form or report, you can create a local variable. Local variables are only known within the relevant form or report. If you define a local variable in a form, it is also valid for every report which uses that form. On the other hand, if you define a variable in the report definition, it is only valid for that one report.

The entries you need to make may differ depending on the variable type you choose. For information about the entry fields, see the online help by pressing F1 for those fields.

There are currently four different variable types:

You are required to enter a replacement type when you define a variable. The replacement type determines how the variable should be replaced -- automatically by the system or by manual entry.

The following replacement types are available:

The following naming conventions apply for variables:

• Global variables begin with &. Variables which are defined by SAP have a number in the second position. For user-defined global variables, the second character must be a letter.
• Local variables which you define in the form begin with &$.

However, if the symbol "variable on" appears before a field for a variable, do not enter "&". In such cases, the sign is set automatically.