Hierarchy Type

If the Hierarchy Type dropdown list displays, the business objects that are configured to be searched can belong to hierarchies. If the field is left blank, a standard business object search occurs. Otherwise, a hierarchy search occurs.

Search Method

If a search method dropdown list displays, it has been configured. If only one default search method is available, there is no dropdown list. You can determine what kind of search is used, for example, a fuzzy search or a database search.

Entry of Criteria

You can use dropdown lists and text boxes to specify values or value ranges for fields belonging to business objects that you want the search to return. Each row in which you specify values is a search criterion. You can add a search criterion using Insert Row icon. You can delete a search criterion using the Delete Row icon. You can clear search criteria by choosing the Reset to Default button.

You can specify criteria for multiple fields. You can also specify more than one criterion for the same field.

If you have specified a Hierarchy Type, you must specify a Hierarchy. If the hierarchy is edition-dependent, you must specify the Edition. If the hierarchy is version-dependent, you must specify the Version.

Logic Applied to Entered Criteria

The search returns instances of business objects that match the combined search criteria. The following logic applies:

Use of Saved Searches

You can save searches, use saved searches, and delete saved searches.

Restriction of Results

You can set the maximum number of results you want the search to return.

Search Without Hierarchy

This is the use case if you do not specify a hierarchy type, or if the hierarchy type is not relevant and therefore not available. The display of search results is slightly different depending on whether the business object or objects being searched are edition-based. With edition-based business objects, you can schedule changes for particular validity periods using editions.

Not Edition-Based

One row displays for each standard business object that satisfies the search criteria.

Edition-Based

A separate row displays for each validity timeframe of an edition-based business object that satisfies the search criteria

The validity timeframe consists of the following:

Search with Hierarchy

The search results show business objects in the context of the hierarchy. A Hierarchy Type and a Hierarchy must be specified.

The hierarchy nodes that are shown are as follows:

Search without Hierarchy

Display

You can open the active data and inactive data (pending change requests) for business objects.

Creation and Editing

You can create a new business object, by choosing the Create button. If more than one change request type is available for the Create action, you are prompted to enter a change request type. You can edit an instance of a business object that is in process, by choosing the Pending Change Requests icon. You can edit an active instance of a business object by clicking its link and then choosing the Edit button.

For more information about change requests, see Concept of Change Requests and the related documents.

If the business object is edition-based, you must assign an edition with an appropriate valid-from date or valid-from period to the change request. The valid-to date or valid-to period is the end of time, until you schedule a subsequent change to the business object. For more information about how the concept of editions enables the scheduling of changes to business objects, see Using Editions to Schedule Changes to a Business Object.

You can create an instance of an edition-based business object by copying an existing instance. For more information, see the description of the Copy feature.

Replicate

The Replicate button replicates the business object instance, providing replication is possible. You can choose the systems to which you want to replicate data and view the replication log.

For more information, see Manual Replication by Object Selection.

Copy

You can use an existing instance of a business object as a template for creating a new instance by selecting the relevant row and choosing the Copy button. If a pending change request exists for the object instance, the system copies the business object instance from the pending change request. If more than one change request type is available for the Create action, you are prompted to enter a change request type.

For business objects that use editions, you can use the copy feature to create a new instance of the same business object in a different edition. For example, you can create an instance of account 1234 in the edition for Q2 based on account 1234 in the edition for Q1. No other instances can exist in between the current edition and the target edition.

Mass Change

You can change the same data for multiple instances of a business object by selecting the relevant rows and choosing the Mass Change button. For more information, see Mass Change.

Replication Status

You view the replication status of a scheduled change by selecting the relevant row and choosing the Replication Status button. For more information, see Display of Data Replication Logs.

Multi-Processing

You can create, edit, or delete a number of master data records at the same time by selecting the records and choosing the Multi-Processing button.

Block

You can indicate that a business object must not be used in certain business processes outside of Master Data Governance. For example, you cannot order goods from a blocked supplier. The application that consumes the business object considers the block in an application-specific way. You can continue processing the business object using change requests regardless of this block.

Mark for Deletion

You can indicate that a business object should be deleted by choosing the Delete icon. Until the deletion is activated outside of Master Data Governance, you can continue processing the business object using change requests.

Search with Hierarchy

Next Match

You can use the Next Match button to navigate between the business objects that match your search criteria.

Expand All

You can choose the Expand All button to expand collapsed nodes in the search results display.

Hierarchy Processing

You can start hierarchy processing from any row in the search results list by selecting the row and choosing the Hierarchy Processing button. The Hierarchy Processing user interface opens and the selected node is highlighted. For more information, see Collective Processing.

Access Active Data

To access the active data for a business object, choose the hyperlink to the business object.