Using ABAP Dictionary Search Helps 

This section describes how to use ABAP Dictionary search helps that can be integrated into the Web Dynpro ABAP (see also ABAP Dictionary Search Helps).

Elementary Input 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.

Example search help for CARRID:

General Value List

Restrictions

You can restrict your selection in the restrictions tray positioned above the value list. You can refine the restrictions further still with the  icon.

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 tray 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.

Example of restrictions for the country key (table SPFLI):

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.

Example: Berlin and Brusselsselected.

Accept value

You can accept values in two ways:

...

       1.      Standard way:

¡        Select a line in the selection column.

¡        Choose Apply. 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 (and the window is closed).  Each entry has a link attached that becomes visible when you move the mouse over the entry.

Note that a double-click does nothing.

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.

Example:

Accept value

You can accept values in two ways:

...

       1.      Standard way:

¡        Select a line in the selection column.

¡        Choose Apply. 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 (and the window is closed).  Each entry has a link attached that becomes visible when you move the mouse over the entry.

Note that a double-click has no effect.

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.

Settings for the current input help.

Example of a current input help (country key in table SPFLI)

With this setting you can determine:

·        Arrangement of the single columns in the value list relating to position, length, and visibility.

·        Override of the global setting specifying which title element 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

·        Display of the dialog box for selection options

For the value help type with optional pre-selection the dialog box for the selection options is always displayed anyway.

Save your input by choosing Save. 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.

Example of all input helps (country key in table SPFLI)

With this setting you can determine:

·        Which title element is in the foreground when calling search helps – the general or the personal value list.

·        The maximum number of entries in the value list.

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

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

Collective Search Help

The user can choose one of several alternative search paths with a collective search help. The individual elementary search helps are displayed in a tabstrip, whereby each title element corresponds to an elementary search help in appearance, functions, and operation. From the All Value Lists title element you can go to individual search helps.

Example of a collective search help consisting of two single search helps: