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Procedure

If you need only a part of the symbol value, or the output has to fit into a box on the screen without exceeding the edges of this area, then you can use an output length specification to define how many bytes should be copied from the value.

        
            &symbol(length)&
Example

Assume the symbol has the value 123456789.

&symbol(3)& -> 123

&symbol(7)& -> 1234567

You can combine an output length specification with an offset specification. The specified length is then counted from the specified offset position.

&symbol+4(3)& -> 567

If a length specified is greater than the current length of the value, then spaces are appended to the symbol value.

You can use the asterisk character (*) to specify the length of a program symbol. The value of the symbol is then returned using the output length defined in the ABAP Dictionary.

Syntax:

&symbol(*)&

Example

The SYST-UNAME field contains the logon name of a user called Einstein. The Dictionary entry for this field contains an output length of 12.

&SYST-UNAME&... -> Einstein...

&SYST-UNAME(9)&... -> Einstein...

&SYST-UNAME(*)&... -> Einstein...