Storing Data as a Local File 

Use

The List ® Download to File  function allows you to download the data retrieved by the query to a local file on the presentation server. The function module DOWNLOAD performs this process.

Prerequisites

You have executed a query and chosen ABAP List as the display format.

Procedure

After you have activated the Download to File  function, you specify a file name and the data format in the dialog box that appears. The system uses the name that you typed into the input field next to the Download to File radio button on the selection screen as a default for your file name.

If no file name was entered on the selection screen, the system chooses a default name for you.

You can choose the check box With column header in the dialog box. This will save your data with column headers if its data format so allows (DAT and DBF).

You use the System ® List ® Save ® Local File function that is generally available for lists to store the list on the presentation server as a simple text file without any structuring of the individual rows in the list. In contrast, the Download to File function does structure the rows in the list.

You may enter a default file name for the file created. The system uses the contents of the input field located next to the radio button Download to file on the query's selection screen as a default for your file name. This default value will always be as the file name whenever you call the Download to file function, regardless of whether the Download to file radio button is set on the selection screen or not.

Be aware that by entering a suggested file name, you ARE NOT suppressing the dialog that is run through when the Download to file function is called.

The option of specifying a default file name on the selection screen as described above is particularly useful when you want to define variants for a query.