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Use

This section explains the main steps required to create a Report-Painter report.

Note Note

The steps required to create a report painter report may differ somewhat from those described here. This depends on the complexity of your reports and whether you are using the standard objects from the information system.

End of the note.

Process Flow

  1. Selecting and maintaining a library for your report.

  2. As the transfer structure to Report Painter you use a report table, which is defaulted by SAP and can not be maintained. This table contains characteristics, key figures and predefined columns. In a library , you collect the characteristics, key figures, and predefined columns from the report table, which you need for your Report Painter reports.

    When you define a Report Painter report, you assign it to a library. Reports assigned to one library can only use the characteristics, key figures, and predefined columns selected for that library.

    When you create or maintain a library, the Position field determines the sequence in which the characteristics, key figures or (predefined) key figures appear in the Report Painter selection lists when you define a report. This allows you to position the objects that you use regularly in your reports at the beginning of the selection lists. If you do not make an entry in the Position field, you will not be able to use this object in Report Painter reports.

    You can use either the standard SAP libraries for your reports or define your own.

    For more information, see Libraries .

  3. Selecting or maintaining a standard layout for your report.

  4. Standard layouts determine report layout features and the format of your report data.

    If the SAP standard layouts do not meet your reporting requirements, you can create a new standard layout or change an existing one.

  5. Defining row and column models.

  6. A model is a one-dimensional, predefined reporting structure that you can insert in either the rows or columns of your report.

    If you often use the same or similar row or column definitions in your reports, it is recommended that you create row or column models.

    You must define the row and/or column models that you want to include in your report definition before you define the report.

    You can also use the standard column models supplied by SAP.

    For more information on defining row and column models, see Defining Models for Rows and Columns .

  7. Defining the report.

  8. Defining a Report Painter report involves the following steps.

    1. Define the report columns

    2. You define the report columns using the characteristics, key figures, and predefined columns selected for the library that the report uses. Alternatively, you can use a column model for column definition. Column models are predefined column structures which you insert into your entire column definition, instead of defining each individual column.

      For more information on the definition of report columns, see Creating Report Painter Reports .

    3. Define the report rows.

    4. You define the report rows using the characteristics selected for the library selected for the report.

      Alternatively, you can use a row model for your row definition. Row models serve the same purpose as column models, but are used to define a report row.

      For more information on the definition of report rows, see Creating Report Painter Reports .

      Edit and format the report rows and columns in line with your requirements. (For example, you can hide rows or columns, define the column width or define colors for your report rows).

    5. Define general data selection criteria for the selection of your report data.

    Selection criteria are the characteristics used to select data for the entire report. You cannot enter characteristics as data selection criteria if they are already being used in the report rows or columns.

    For more information, see General Data Selection Criteria .

  9. Assigning the report to a report group.

  10. Once you have defined a report, you must assign it to a report group. A report group can contain one or more reports from the same library. However, reports that share the same data will select data more quickly and improve processing time.

    ( )

    You can assign a Report Painter report to a report group containing Report Painter and Report Writer reports.

    For more information on the definition, see Report Groups .

  11. Generating the report group.

  12. During this step, the system generates the programs necessary for processing the reports.

    ( )

    When you generate a report group, Report Painter reports are converted to Report Writer format. However, you can only change or display Report Painter reports using the Report Painter tool.

    For more information on generating reports, see Report Groups .

  13. Executing the report group.

Report execution involves the selection and output of all the database records used in the report.

Once the system selects records according to the online selection criteria, it outputs the report data in the format defined for the report in question.

For more information on characteristics and basis key figures and their use, see Defining Reports for Overhead Cost Controlling .