Further Notes

Note the following when defining reports with Report Painter:

The SAP System stores reports created with Report Painter in a special storage area, in the same name range as Report Writer reports. When generating the related report group or copying to a Report Writer report, Report Painter reports are converted to Report Writer format. This results in the following:

Report Painter reports can only be changed or displayed with Report Painter.

To subsequently change a report with Report Writer, first copy the report to a Report Writer report under a different name. Then modify the report with Report Writer. The SAP system automatically generates the necessary sets during copying.

It is possible to execute a Report Painter report with Report Writer and to assign Report Painter reports to a mixed report group, that is, to a report group that contains both Report Writer and Report Painter reports.

Additional editing functions

Below is an overview of functions and work techniques in Report Painter that will facilitate you report definitions.

1. F2 key

To define individual report columns or rows, select the specific column or row (in the report to be defined) by double clicking on the corresponding text (Column1, etc. or Row1 etc.) or with the F2 key.

2. Directories

You can display existing objects (defined by SAP or yourself) for layouts, libraries, row or column models as well as predefined columns.

3. Create with model

If you want to define your own libraries, reports, layouts, row or column models, you can use the standard objects delivered by SAP to aid you and then adjust them to your needs.

The following functions are available to structure and format the rows and columns of your reports:

Working with row and column models

When defining multiple reports with similar structure, it is useful to work with models. Models are one-dimensional, predefined modules for rows and columns, maintained with the the function "Model". To incorporate individual models into your report, choose "Edit -> Rows/Columns -> Get row/column model...".

Formula editor

You can define formulas to calculate a column, row or cell.

Changing text

You can make subsequent changes to column and row texts. Position on the desired object and choose the text function.

Changing characteristic values

You can make subsequent changes to characteristics of columns and rows. Position on the desired object and choose "Edit -> Change char.values".

Expanding rows

To expand groups down to the single value level, choose "Edit -> Rows -> Expand". You can then maintain totals levels. If you do not provide for expanding groups in the rows, the groups cannot be expanded in the report display.

Note

Formatting defined for expanded rows of a group is carried out for all sub-groups of the same summation level (indicated by the identical number of asterisks). Formatting includes color and underlining, for example.

Markings for cell calculation undertaken in the expanded rows of a group are always based on the highest summation level of the group. If you require a subgroup, you must define an additional report row for the subgroup, mark the desired cell, and afterwards hide the additional row again.

Show or hide rows/columns

You can show or hide one or more rows or columns. You can show hidden rows/columns again, change them or delete them.

Number formats

With this function you can define the scaling and the number of decimal places (only for columns).

Delete

To delete rows or columns, position on the object to be deleted and choose the delete function.

Select

You can select one or more rows or columns to then delete, copy, cut, etc. the selected set.

Maintain report texts

You can enter a title page, last page, header or footing for each report.

Note

It is much easier to enter report texts in the finished report after you have finished defining it.

Overview function

With this function you can create an overview of all characteristics, indicators, predefined columns and rows with details (name, last person to change it, date of change).

Goto

You can branch between the sections of a report as well as create new sections. You can combine multiple rows and columns of a report.

Format changes

Report Painter provides five column formats, corresponding to the print classes of Report Writer.

You can assign a standard layout to a report, as well as additional format changes, such as reversing the sign, row format changes or column width. Format changes always affect all columns with the same format; this means columms cannot be changed individually.