Libraries

Definition

All reports are in libraries. A library is a collection of characteristics, basic key figures, and key figures that have been selected from the entries of a Report Writer table.

  • A characteristic (called a field or dimension in previous releases) is a nonnumeric field. Examples of characteristics are account , cost center , and business area .

  • A basic key figure ( key figure in previous releases) is a numerical value field. Examples of basic key figures: local currency , total costs , and activity quantity .

  • A key figure consists of a basic key figure and one or more characteristics. Using predefined columns, you can define standard columns that you can then use in your reports repeatedly. Examples of key figures: actual costs in current year , plan costs in closed year .

The reports contained in the library can only use the characteristics, basic key figures, and key figures defined for this specific library.

Example Example

If report X is assigned to library ABC , you can only use characteristics in that report that are contained in library ABC . This applies to all the reports in library ABC , not just to report X .

End of the example.

Use

The transfer structure for transfer to the Report Painter or Report Writer is a reporting table. This reporting table is predefined in the SAP system and cannot be changed. The reporting table is a logical view of different database tables and contains all characteristics, basic key figure, and key figures.

Example Example

In Cost Center Accounting, the transfer structure is reporting table CCSS.

End of the example.

You have the following options when working with libraries:

  • You can separate development reports from production reports.

  • You can subdivide your reports by user group.

  • You can assign user authorizations for each library.

When you create a library, you decide which characteristics, basic key figures, and key figures you want to include in the library. To do this, you can either copy an existing library or enter a table (such as GLT1) and select the required characteristics, basic key figures, and key figures from this table.

You can also define standard selection sets for reports in a library. These standard selection sets are automatically displayed when you define a report that uses the library concerned.

Example Example

If you want all reports in a library to use the set UN-LEDGER (containing the value AB for the ledger) when the report data is selected, you can use the set UN-LEDGER as a default set for the characteristic Ledger . When you define a report that is assigned to the library concerned, the set UN-LEDGER appears in the report definition as the selection set. You can, however, overwrite this set.

End of the example.

You can also assign user authorizations for your libraries.

For example, you can specify that only a certain user group shall have access to the reports from a particular library.

For more information on libraries, see:

Creating a Library

Defining Reports for the Report/Report Interface

Displaying a Library

Changing a Library

Deleting a Library