Browser-Based PI Sheet

Definition

As of Release 4.6C, you can also create PI sheets in HTML layout. The browser-based PI sheet is a further development of the ABAP list-based PI sheet . It offers a new user interface that is intuitive and easy-to-operate.

To be able to use the browser-based PI sheet correctly, you must install Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 5 or higher) and make some security settings in the Internet Explorer. For more information, see Setting Up the Browser for PI Sheets and Cockpits .

The PI sheet represents the result of a control recipe that was sent to a process (line) operator, the content of which is displayed as text on the screen. It thus constitutes work instructions for the process operator, describing how and in which order a product is manufactured. The PI sheet can contain information about the picking of raw materials, for example, as well as instructions for charging the mixer, filling the silos, and so on.

The SAP PI sheet is designed for processing on the screen, enabling the process operator to enter, confirm, report, or complete data interactively. The PI sheet thus facilitates communication between the SAP system and process operators on production lines that are operated manually (either fully or partially).

Use

Depending on the characteristic-based process instructions or XSteps contained in a control recipe, the PI sheet supports the following functions:

Display of control information (such as instructions for the process operator on how to carry out production steps)
Display of additional guidelines, such as rules for handling hazardous materials or substances
Recording of actual process data
Reporting of entered and calculated values with the aid of process messages (for example, posting of goods receipt and issues or confirmation of time-ticket information)
Navigation to other SAP applications outside PP-PI to make entries there and then return to the PI sheet
Performance of calculations (such as the calculation of dates/times)
Triggering of a dialog or calling up of data from internal or external applications

For information on the definition of PI sheets using characteristic-based process instructions or XSteps see:

When creating browser-based PI sheets, you can either use the standard layout defined by SAP or use your own layouts. For more information, see Layout Definition for PI Sheets and Cockpits .

Structure

The SAP Standard Layout

The following section provides you with information on how the browser-based PI sheet is structured in the SAP standard layout and how the interface elements are represented.

The browser-based PI sheet comprises a header and the individual phases of the process order. The header is visible and all phases are closed immediately the PI sheet is opened. Furthermore, just one extended standard SAP layout XSL stylesheet (PMC_STY_DEFAULTXIE6.XSL) is used for display purposes.

The phases can be expanded and collapsed, either directly at the phase or by means of the commands in the header of the PI sheet, with which then all phases can be expanded or collapsed.

If there is a multiple signature process that has not yet been completed, the areas belonging to the workstep are loaded expanded up to and including the last signature.

If at least one signature or a comment has been entered in a phase, or if a variance has occurred, this is displayed in the header area of the phases via the following icons (which are not clickable, however).

( ) For signatures already executed
( ) For comments already entered
( ) For variances that have occurred

Information on locked or deactivated elements in a phase are displayed via the following icons:

( ) The phase contains elements that are locked
( ) The phase contains elements that are deactivated

Furthermore, the status of the signature for process steps is displayed via the following icons:

( ) Signature for work step completed
( ) Signature process not yet completed
( ) Signature(s) initial

Note
Note that if several signatures are used in a phase, the icon ( ) Signature for Work Step Completed appears as soon as a signature has been completed. However, this does not mean that the entire phase has been completed, only that a work step has been successfully completed with the signature.

It may still be necessary to execute further signatures for the work step, however, as long as the ( ) Signature for Work Step Completedicon is not displayed, the ( ) (Signature(s) Initial) icon is no longer displayed, and the icon ( ) for already executed signatures already exists.

End of the note.

The Context Menu

As a basic rule, all functions are made available via the context menu . In addition, a menu bar containing the functions relating to the entire PI sheet is available in the header of the PI sheet. To display the context menu, position the cursor on the corresponding field and click the right-hand mouse button. You can also invoke the context menu using the key combination Shift + F10. The context menu must be installed separately. To do this, follow the directions in SAP Note 566692.

For more information on the functions that are available in the PI sheet, see Functions in Browser-Based PI Sheets .

The Header

The uppermost section of the PI header is the header. It contains detailed information on the PI sheet that can be shown or hidden. If you click on a point in the header, you obtain detailed information on the header. The header contains information about:

The status of the PI sheet (test or active PI sheet)
The process order for which the PI sheet was created
The material to be produced
The batch to be produced (if the material you want to produce is subject to a batch management requirement)
The number of the control recipe from which the PI sheet was created
The number of the inspection lot if a QM inspection has been defined for the process order

The Phases

The lower section of the PI sheet contains the phases of the process order. Each phase can be subdivided into several segments. Each time a long text follows within a phase, a new segment begins, which ends before the next long text.

Phases can contain the following elements:

Control information, notes, and input fields for long texts, which are displayed on the left-hand side
All input fields, output fields, and pushbuttons, which appear on the right-hand side
Tables, which extend across the entire width of the PI sheet

The Interface Elements

Interface Element	Output and Meaning
( ) Expand ( ) Collapsedetailed Information	The ( ) icon shows that certain additional information can be displayed for a field. It appears at the following points: Next to the phase number, to enable the phase to be expanded or collapsed Next to a note, to enable the text of the note to be displayed Next to the signature display for input fields, to enable detailed information for the signature that has been executed to be shown. You can use the ( ) icon to collapse expanded content.
* Required Entry	A red asterisk to the right of input fields denotes that processing of these fields is mandatory (in order for a process message to be generated or a process instruction to be completed, for example).
( ) Calculate Data	This icon always appears to the right of a field if a value is to be calculated by the system. If you choose ( ) , the calculated value is displayed in the corresponding field.
Pushbutton	A pushbutton with the name of a function always appears if a dynamic function call (such as a jump to QM inspection results recording) has been defined. If you choose the pushbutton, the corresponding function is invoked.
Input Field	Input help If the SAP system provides an input help for an input value, the ( ) icon appears to the right of the input field. You can also use the key combination Ctrl + H to call up the input help. Fixed values If fixed values have been defined for a characteristic, these values are offered in a dropdown list. User-Defined Default Values Default values that you have defined in the process instruction are written directly to the input field. They initially appear in blue lettering. To adopt the default value, position the cursor in the input field and choose Continue .
( ) Add Table Line	The ( ) icon at the end of a table indicates that you can add more lines to the table. If you choose ( ) , the system adds a new line at the end of the table.
( ) Deviations	If a certain value range has been defined for an input value, the ( ) icon is identifies input values that deviate from this value range. To obtain more information about the deviation, choose ( ) . In tables, the ( ) icon appears on the right in the table field.
( ) Comments	Whether a comment is marked with ( ) icon depends on which point in the PI sheet you entered the comment. For a field: The ( ) icon appears to the right of the field. To display or edit the comment, choose ( ) . For a table: The ( ) icon appears to the right of the table. To display or edit the comment, choose ( ) . For a table field: The ( ) icon appears to the right of the table field. To display or edit the comment, choose ( ) . For the entire PI sheet: You can see that a comment exists by using the Display Comment function in the menu bar or via the Display Comment (Document) entry in the context menu.
( ) Signature Display in Tables	If you have executed digital signatures in tables with a signature strategy, the ( ) icon appears next to the relevant table line. If you choose ( ) , a dialog box appears containing the signer’s name, the date and time the signature was executed, and a comment by the signer (if one exists).

Navigation Using the Keyboard

In the PI sheet, you can generally use the mouse pointer to access all fields and invoke functions. In addition, you can use the tab key to navigate between active fields. With icons, you trigger the associated function or dialog box by choosing Enter . If you set the focus on the ( ) icon and then choose Enter , for example, the system will carry out a calculation.

Active fields in the PI sheet are:

Input fields
Table cells that are ready for input
Pushbuttons
Clickable icons such as the following:
- ( ) Expand detailed information
- ( ) Collapse detailed information
- ( ) Calculate data
- ( ) Add table lines
- ( ) Display deviations/variances
- ( ) Display comments
- ( ) Display signatures

You can also use a key combination to call up the following functions:

Function	Key Combination
Call up context menu	Shift + F10
Call up input help	Ctrl + H
Refresh browser	Shift + F5
Navigate back (for specially integrated HTML pages, to execute the Back command in the browser.	Shift + F6
Navigate forward (for specially integrated HTML pages, to execute the Forward command in the browser.	Shift + F7
Display log	F7
Print as PDF	Ctrl. + F6

The functions Navigate Back, Navigate Forward, Display Log and Print as PDF are also available as pushbuttons.

For printing in PDF format, see also: Printing in PDF Format .

Integration

To generate browser-based PI sheets, you must send your control recipes to a control recipe destination of type 4 : Transfer to browser-based PI sheet . For more information, see Control Recipe Destinations .