Through its Open Object Interface, ABAP supports the OLE2 Automation technique. Desktop applications that provide their functionality in the form of an OLE2 Automation Server (such as Excel or WinWord) can be thus be integrated into R/3.

All applications controlled by ABAP must be registered in R/3.

The following ABAP key words control the applications:

• CREATE OBJECT
• SET PROPERTY
• GET PROPERTY
• CALL METHOD
• FREE OBJECT

When called from an ABAP program, the SAPGUI acts as OLE client, and the desktop application as the OLE server.