Function documentationCreation and Use of Building Blocks

 

You can use building blocks to group objects from report template creation (such as report symbols, graphics, and repeating groups) into your own document templates and reuse them. You can integrate these building blocks into report templates as a reference or insert them as a copy. Multiple building blocks are grouped together in a building block group.

Prerequisites

If you want to create a building block, you must have opened a report template in status In Work (IW).

Features

Building blocks are saved as independent report templates and integrated into report templates via an INCLUDE (see Including Document Templates) or as a copy. The WWI coding of the building block is thereby saved as a report template (INC_*) in the document management system.

If you choose Insert Building Block as Ref., a reference (INCLUDE statement) is inserted into the report template for the building block. Changes to the WWI coding of the building block are made in the report template for the building block.

If you choose Insert Bldg Block, the content of the building block or a copy of the WWI coding is inserted into the template. You can change this data in the opened report template.

If you want to store a building block outside the SAP system, you choose Export Block. The building block is saved as an XML transfer file in a transfer directory. This allows the building block to be accessed from different systems or distributed to different systems.

If you want to use an exported building block, you choose Import Block. You can use the where-used list to determine in which report templates the building block called is used.

Activities

Creating Building Block Groups and Building Blocks

  1. For example, insert the report symbols, graphics, or repeating groups that are to be combined with each other in a building block, into the report template.

  2. Create a building block group with the key for the building block group and the language-dependent description.

  3. Create a building block with the building block key and the language-dependent description.

  4. Select all inserted report symbols, graphics, or repeating groups, and choose Copy Data for Building Block (Copy Data for Building Block).

    The building block is assigned to the building block group. The WWI coding of the building block is saved as a report template (INC_*) in the document management system.

  5. If you choose Export Block (Export Block), you store the building block (with or without a reference) as an XML transfer file to the transfer directory you selected.

Inserting Building Blocks Into the Report Template

  • If you want to insert a building block into a report template, specify the key of a valid building block group and the key of a valid building block and choose Insert Building Block as Ref. or Insert Bldg Block.

  • If you choose Insert Building Block as Ref. (Insert Building Block as Ref.), a reference (INCLUDE statement) is inserted into the report template for the building block.

    • You make changes to the WWI coding of the building block in the report template for the building block.

    • Any changes to the building block affect all report templates that contain the corresponding INCLUDE statement. You can use the where-used list to determine in which report templates this applies.

  • If you choose Insert Bldg Block (Insert Bldg Block), the content of the building block or a copy of the WWI coding is inserted into the template. You can change this data in the opened report template.

  • When you choose Import Block (Import Block), you load a building block that was exported as an XML transfer file into the building block group:

    • If you specify the key for the building block group and the key for the building block, the imported building block is created based on the keys entered for the building block group and building block.

    • If you do not specify a key for the building block group and a key for the building block, and you select the XML transfer file in the directory, the building block is created based on the building block key and building block group key specified in the selected XML transfer file.

Changes that you have since made to the building block by choosing Edit Object from Template (Edit Object from Template) are overwritten during the import process.