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Using ABAP Dictionary Search Helps Locate this document in the navigation structure

 

This section describes how to use ABAP Dictionary search helps that can be integrated into the Web Dynpro ABAP.

More Information: ABAP Dictionary Search Help

Elementary Search Help

An elementary search help consists of a personal value list and a general value list, whereby values can be copied from the general list into the personal list and values can be copied for further processing.

The value list type (personalized or general value list) is displayed in the title bar of the input help dialog box.

General Functions:

  • You can sort the individual columns in the value list can by choosing a sort button to the right of the column header.

  • The columns in the hit list can be moved by dragging and dropping the column headers.

  • You can use the table selection menu symbol to select all the entries in the value list at once or to delete this selection.

  • Use the relevant link to switch from the personal to the general value list.

General Value List
Search Criteria

You can restrict your selection further with the toggle button Show Search Criteria, which is located above the value list. You can further refine the restrictions for the individual entries using the Advanced Options (Advanced Options) symbol.

The database selection can be restricted with the option Restrict Number of Entries in the Value List; this restricts the number to 500. You can restrict this number further still if you want.

This toggle button can be collapsed and expanded, subject to the dialog settings for search help in the ABAP Dictionary (dialog type). These settings can be overridden by personal settings for search help.

Copying Values into the Personal Value List

Select the required values.

  • Select a line in the selection column. You can select further lines using CTRL+ click in the selection column.

  • Choose Add to Personal Value List.

Accept value

You can accept values in two ways:

  1. Default:

    • Select a line (or several lines) in the selection column

    • Choose OK The value can then be used for further processing: The value is reset and the window closed.

  2. Quick way:

    To copy an entry quickly, just click on it or somewhere in the same line (and the window is closed). Each entry is provided with a link to do this.

    Note Note

    Note that a double-click does nothing.

    End of the note.
Personalized Values List

The personal value list is a favorites list.

If you go to the personal value list, you can see the pre-selection you made.

To get to the general value list, choose Further Values.

To go to the view of the personal value list where you can remove selected values from the value list if required, choose Organize Personal Value List.

Accept value

You can accept values in two ways:

  1. Default:

    • Select a line (or several lines) in the selection column

    • Choose OK The value can then be used for further processing: The value is reset and the window closed.

  2. Quick way:

    To copy an entry quickly, just click on it or somewhere in the same line (and the window is closed). Each entry is provided with a link to do this.

    Note Note

    Note that a double-click does nothing.

    End of the note.
Delete from personal value list

Select the required values.

  • Select a line in the selection column. You can select further lines using CTRL+ click in the selection column.

  • Choose Delete from Personal Value List.

Settings

You can define user-specific settings for the current input help by choosing Settings.

Note Note

Alternatively, you can call the settings dialog using the (Input Help Settings) context menu.

End of the note.
Settings for the current input help.

With this setting you can determine:

  • Override of the global setting specifying which view is in the foreground when the search help is called. This can be the personal or the general value list.

  • Override of the maximum number of entries in the value list for the search help

  • Always show search critera of the general value list

Save your entries by choosing OK. To cancel your input choose Reset.

Settings for all input helps

In addition to making settings for the active input help you can make user-specific settings for all input helps.

With this setting you can determine:

  • Which view is in the foreground when calling search helps – the general or the personal value list.

  • The maximum number of entries in the value list.

    Caution Caution

    Note that the upper limit (for example, 500) is set by the system administrator for system performance reasons.

    End of the caution.

Save your entries by choosing OK. To cancel your input choose Reset.

Predefined Search Helps

If a value for a field with a defined search help has already been added to the application in question, you can also call search help by choosing the F4 help icon.

  • To get to the general value list, choose General Value List.

  • To return to the personal value list, choose Personal Value List.

Collective search helps

The user can choose one of several alternative search paths with a collective search help. You can call the individual elementary search helps which make up the collective search helps by using the dropdown list box for Further Search Helps in the lower area of the dialog window. Appearance, functions, and operation are elementary search helps.