Exporting and Importing Database Objects 

With export/import you can carry out backups of database objects in addition to other database backups. Export is especially suitable as a backup method when you only want to save particular tables. For example you can add to the data backup you carry out before a reorganization by exporting the objects that are to be reorganized. You can also backup the table and index definitions in your database.

The function export/import is only intended for the export of objects out of and the import of objects into a single database.

Note that these data backups are logical backups. This means that you cannot use them to carry out any ORACLE restore procedure. The exported objects are static and are only consistent with the database if it is not subjected to any changes. See

The SAPDBA function export/import carries out the export phase and, if required, the import phase as well. The function export/import generates scripts for both phases which contain the necessary commands. If necessary these scripts can also be started manually.

Export/import can be divided into 3 phases:

Phase 1:

Creation of scripts for the export and import. The export of tables and index definitions or other database objects (constraints, grants, views, synonyms and sequences) is all contained in this first phase.

Phase 2:

Processing of created export shell scripts (in the case of an export of tables with data and their indexes).

Phase 3:

If required, the data or the table and index definitions or the other database objects (constraints, grants, views, synonyms and sequences) can be imported.

Do not use export/import for the transport of database objects between databases

The logical structure of SAP data is so complex that data objects are often distributed across many tables and many tables are linked largely according to the relational database model. Attempting to transport data between systems using export/import will, therefore, lead to inconsistencies in the whole R/3 System.

You should create new SAP database with the help of the SAP installation procedure. Use the SAP correction and transport system to transport objects between R/3 Systems.