Using Special Text Variables when Defining Report Texts 

A special text variable provides information from master data files associated with characteristics used in a report. Special text variables are supplied for each reporting table delivered with the SAP R/3 System.

In a Controlling report, you could use special text variables to enter the name of the cost center manager and the manager’s department.

To enter special text variables when defining report text on the Change <Text Position> <Report Name> in Language <Language Code> screen:

  1. Position the cursor at the point where you want to insert the variable and choose Insert ® Special variable.

    2. The Choose Master Data Table dialog box appears. A list of the reporting master data tables defined for the table your report uses is displayed.

  2. Select the table that contains the characteristics for the variables you want to use and choose Choose.

    3. The Choose Master Data Field dialog box appears.

  3. Enter the following information:
    4.

    - Select the text type that you want to use for the text variable (characteristic description, characteristic value, short text of the characteristic, long text of the characteristic).

    - Select the master data field for which you want to display the text variable in the report text.

  4. Choose Continue.

    5. The variable is inserted at the point where you positioned the cursor on the Change <Text Position> <Report Name> in Language <Language Code> screen.

  5. If you want to change the parameters controlling the display of the text variable in the report output:

    6. a) Choose Edit ® Attributes.

    The Change Attributes dialog box appears.

    b) Enter the display attributes for the text variable:

    - Define whether the color used for the text variable is intense or the standard color.

    - Enter a color code if you want to display the variable in color.

    - Define the width of the text variable.

    - Define the offset for the text variable.

    For example, if you define a width of 20 and an offset of 5, characters 6 to 25 will be printed.

  6. On this screen, the additional processing functions in the table in Using Standard Text Variables in Report Text Definitions are available.
  7. Choose Text ® Save.
  8. Choose Text ® Exit.

The variable appears on the Create Report: Texts screen.