Master Data 

Definition

Data that remains unchanged over a long period.

In the special purpose ledgers, this is data for each dimension of a database table.

Use

The FI-SL system uses master data to:

·        Validate a dimension used in the FI-SL system

·        Provide text for the Report Writer

·        Check values you have entered

·        Search for valid combinations from an interval of values

You can also use master data information in document entry, allocations, planning, and when working with the Report Writer.

For standard dimensions, such as Account, Company Code, and Cost Center, FI-SL uses master data information from other SAP applications. However, if you define new dimensions in the special purpose ledgers that are not used in other SAP applications, you have to enter master data information for the new dimensions.

You can use master data at client level and/or at the company code or company level. When searching for master data information, the system first checks whether it exists at the company code or company level. If this is not the case, the system searches for master data at the client level.

Every time you change the master data, the system records the date of the change. You can therefore check, at any time, when the master data was last changed. (This feature only applies to master data for dimensions in FI-SL and not for master data in other applications.)

Structure

Integrated Master Data

For standard dimensions, FI-SL uses master data information from other SAP applications. However, if you define new dimensions in FI-SL that are not used in other SAP applications, you have to enter master data information for the new dimensions. To enter master data for dimensions that are not used in other applications, use the function Integrated Master Data.

Your table contains the dimension Evaluation Area. There is no master data for this dimension in the original SAP application. Therefore, you have to create a group of valid evaluation areas for the dimension Evaluation Area in the special purpose ledgers.

You should only define master data information in FI-SL if the data is to be used exclusively in the FI-SL system and is not to be stored in other applications.

In the integrated FI-SL master data, you can enter values for individual dimensions, and for each of these values, enter a language-specific text that describes the value.

You can only create master data for the dimensions that are specifically defined for the special purpose ledgers in table T800D (FI-SL Data Dictionary). For information about how to add new dimensions in table T800D, see the Implementation Guide for Special Purpose Ledger under Basic Settings ® Master Data ® Maintain Integrated Master Data.

You can create database tables with names other than T830X for your FI-SL master data and master data text. These tables have the same structure as tables T830A and T831A. For information about creating FI-SL tables for master data, see the Implementation Guide (IMG) for Special Purpose Ledger.

You can only use master data in the FI-SL system to carry out validations on a field-to-field basis.

You can use the master data to validate a region, but you cannot use it to check whether a region is valid for specific countries.

For more information about creating FI-SL master data, see Creating Master Data.