AcceleratedSAP

White Paper Report Writer/Report Painter

White Paper Report Writer/Report Painter............................................................................................... 1 Overview Report Writer/Report Painter.................................................................................................... 2 Using Report Writer/Report Painter ......................................................................................................... 3 Database for Report Painter/Report Writer.............................................................................................. 3 Reporting with Report Writer/Report Painter.......................................................................................... 4 Sample Libraries......................................................................................................................................... 5 Appendix................................................................................................................................................... 13

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Overview Report Writer/Report Painter
What is Report Painter/ Report Writer?
Tools to develop reports without ABAP knowledge Tools with different levels of assistance

Report Writer vs. Report Painter

REPORT WRITER
Column Sets Row Sets

REPORT PAINTER

Data Selection

Flexible Reporting Tool for all kinds of evaluation does not require ABAP programming language knowledge is a conceptual approach to create reports define complex reports without a graphical report structure usually training and practice required using reporting building blocks ( no direct entry of fields and values)

user friendly reporting tool for less complex reporting does not require ABAP programming language knowledge What you see is what you get graphical appearance of report structure can be learned quickly by users

using direct entry of values and fields

a Report Painter definition will be converted to an equivalent Report Writer Report definition in the background

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Using Report Writer/Report Painter
Within the SAP System predefined reports for each application are delivered. This standard reports represent different types of reports. Types of reports can be: Report Writer/Report Painter Drill down reports ABAP4 Query ABAP programming

Standard reports developed with Report Writer/Report Painter are available within different SAP applications. Based upon Report Writer/Report Painter functionality can be developed customer specific reports. SAP - Application FI - SL FI - GL FI - LC EC - PCA CO - CCA CO - OPA CO - PC CO - ABC CO - CEL PS LO - LIS IS Description Special Purpose Ledger General Ledger Legal Consolidation Profit Center Accounting Cost Center Accounting Order Project Accounting Product Costing Activity Based Costing Cost Element Accounting Project System Logistic Information System Industry Solutions (different solutions)

Database for Report Painter/Report Writer

Development of RW/RP Reports require reporting tables as the database. Depending on the different applications, reporting tables are preconfigured and delivered by SAP or to be defined customerspecifically. SAP - Application FI - SL FI - GL FI - LC EC - PCA CO - CCA Reporting Table customer defined table GLT0 FILC GLPCT CCSS

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CO - OPA CO - PC CO - ABC CO - CEL PS LO - LIS IS CCSS KKBU, KKBE, KKBC CCSS COFIT CCSS, RPPS (evaluation structure)

Reporting with Report Writer/Report Painter

Prerequisites (Questions and Decisions)
What? Where? Which? How? Which reports are requested? Where are the reporting data available ? Database (e.g. Reporting Tables) Which reporting tool should be used? (Report Writer vs. Report Painter) How should the reporting requirements be build up? Report Writer/Report Painter Elements Report Structure Report Development/Maintenance Graphical User Interface

Report Writer/Report Painter Elements

Elements: Libraries Report layout Reports Report Groups

Library (used for Report Writer/Report Painter)

A library stores the characteristics, key figures and predefined columns used. Libraries will be created based on reporting tables (e.g. CO - CCA Cost Center Accounting table CCSS). Characteristics Key Figures Criteria for the selection of data records can be selected based upon the available fields within the reporting table Value Fields in selected data records

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Predefined Columns Combination of characteristics and key figures Libraries can be used to create a logical collection of connected reports. Libraries are used to restrict the possible number of characteristics and key figures in order to facilitate the report definition later on.

Sample Libraries

table CCSS fields

KSTARCost element KOSTLCost center AUFNROrder number KOKRSControlling area BUKRSCompany code GSBERBusiness area BELNRDocument number GJAHRFiscal Year VERSNVersion etc.

Report library 1 x x x x x x

Report library 2 x x x x x

Report library 3 x x x x x x x

Report Layout (used for Report Writer/Report Painter)

A layout represents the form of a report. Elements of the layout are such as: Page Control Row Layout Column Layout Presentation width, length, margins totals - positions, summation intervals, etc. texts - types, lead column, indentation, etc. totals - positions, break character, widths, margins, etc. texts types, orientation, etc. number format

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Balance 1997 selection: Period 00-16
Current Previous Variance Assets Liabilities 1000 1000

Page/ Control Column Totals, Texts

Rows Totals, Texts

Reporting layouts will be delivered with the SAP System. Customer specific layouts can be defined and the same layout can be used for groups of reports.

Reports (used for Report Writer/Report Painter)

Creating a report requires a library. Based upon the library definition, all characteristics, key figures and predefined columns for the report are available. Each report is determined by Columns, Rows and Data Selection . Rows, Columns, Data Selection Data Entry Possibilities direct selection of characteristics and direct entry of values for each of these characteristics single values intervals groups of single values Variables Using Sets Basic Dimension Sets Single Dimension Sets Multi Dimension Sets Report Painter Report Writer

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(not possible for Data Selection) Data Sets Variables Formulas

*1) Sets

are groups gathering specific values or ranges of values under one name. Basic Dimension Set Group of values or range of values based on one characteristic e.g.: Characteristic: Values Single Dimension Set Group of Basic Sets or Single Sets based on one characteristic to show a hierarchy. e.g. Characteristic: Hierarchy: Account Number Total Expenses and Revenues (Single Set) Expenses (Basic Set) Revenues (Basic Set); Multi Dimension Set Group of Basic and /or Single Sets based on several characteristics to show a hierarchy and dependencies. e.g. Characteristics: Hierarchy and Dependencies: Expenses per Cost Center Cost Center Administration Expenses Cost Center Marketing Expenses Total Expenses for all Cost Centers Expenses per Cost Center Data Set Set based on key figures and characteristics e.g. Characteristic: Key Figure Record type 0 (actual) HSL (Local Currencies) Account Number 400 000 to 410 000

Set types:

Report Groups (used for Report Writer/Report Painter)

Reports can only be executed using a Report Group. Copyright 2002 SAP AG. All rights reserved 7

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A Report Group is a group of reports from the same library that are processed together. Via Report Groups program coding for selection and edition of report data will be generated.

Report Type Determination

Criteria to determine the report type, using Report Painter or Report Writer: SAP specific criteria like using special functions other criteria like experiences level, maintenance, development, etc.

1. SAP specific Criteria Criteria Multiple Information Dependencies between Multiple Information (using Multi Dimension Sets) Special requirements Report Painter Report Writer

Partially

2. Other Criteria Criteria Experience Report Development Maintenance Report Painter no or less experience required Project Member, User and Consultants relatively easy to maintain should be restricted Time Line for Development Reusability of Report Elements (using all types of sets) short development time good reusability (e.g. Basic and Single Sets, Row and Column Models, Predefined Columns, Copy Function) Report Writer experience or extensive training required Project Member and Consultants more complex should be restricted time intensive development very good reusability report definition only based upon Set definitions

Report SAMPLES
Situation
Company A are implementing the SAP System (all applications without HR). Copyright 2002 SAP AG. All rights reserved 8

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At a certain point in time the customer comes up with a list of all required reports in the financial area.

Reporting Requests
LIST OF REPORTS P&L by Business Unit, Line of Business Reporting by each product, by Balance Sheet Accounts and regional sales aspects Sales reporting by each product and variations MODEL 1 OF REPORT

Sales Report for Company A for one Business Unit from 01/01 - 01/31/1999
Current Month Domestic Sales Export Intercompany Total Year to Date Domestic Export Intercompany Total

Sales Expenses Advertising Expense Distribution Expenses Business Unit Admin Expenses etc. Total Expense

% Sales Expense to Sales % Advertising Expense to Sales % Distribution Expense to Sales etc. Total Expense to Sales

Report: Sales Analysis in different variations (Business Unit ,Line of Business and Total Company)

General Explanation
Description
Report requirements represent the same structure for rows and columns. The only difference is the selection criteria.

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Database
Report requires data from different applications (FI - Accounts, MM product information, additional regional information, etc.) Company is using Application FI SL to store data across the application in a separate reporting table (to be generated by customer). Check that required information for report is available.

Report Type Determination

SAP specific criteria SAP specific criteria Multiple Information Columns (e.g. Fiscal Year, Period, Trading Information) Data Selection (e.g. Company Code, Business Unit, Line of Business) Dependencies between multiple information (using Multi Dimension Sets) no direct dependency, no Multi Dimension Sets required Special Requirements e.g. special Layout other criteria Criteria Experience Report Development by Project Members Maintenance Short Time Line for Development Reusability of Report Elements Report Painter Report Writer N/A N/A Report Painter Report Writer

no decision up to now

no decision up to now

Decision Based upon the SAP specific criteria (technical criteria) either a Report Painter or a Report Writer Report can be created. Based upon the SAP specific and the other criteria the Report Painter function should be used. Copyright 2002 SAP AG. All rights reserved 10

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MODEL2 OF REPORT
Sales Report for Company A for all Business Units from 01/01 - 01/31/1999
Current Month Domestic Sales Business Unit A Business Unit B Business Unit C Business Unit D Sales Expenses Business Unit A Business Unit B Business Unit C Business Unit D Advertising Expense Business Unit A Business Unit B Business Unit C Business Unit D etc. Total Expense Business Unit A Business Unit B Business Unit C Business Unit D Report: Sales Analysis in different variations Export Intercompany Total Year to Date Domestic Export Intercompany Total

General Explanation
Description
See other sample.

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Database
See other sample.

Report Type Determination

SAP specific criteria SAP specific criteria Multiple Information Columns (e.g. Fiscal Year, Period, Trading Information) Rows (e.g. Account Numbers, Business Unit) Data Selection (e.g. Company Code, Business Unit, Line of Business) Dependencies between multiple information (using Multi Dimension Sets) direct dependency within rows (Business Units per Accounts, should be build up with a Multi Dimension Set) Special Requirements e.g. special Layout other criteria Criteria Experience Report Development by Project Members Maintenance Short Time Line for Development Reusability of Report Elements Report Painter Report Writer Report Painter Report Writer

N/A

N/A

no decision up to now

no decision up to now

Decision Copyright 2002 SAP AG. All rights reserved 12

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Based upon the SAP specific criteria (Decision within the technical criteria using a Multi Dimension Set for row structure) the Report Writer function has to be used. Based upon the SAP specific and the other criteria the Report Painter function should be used.

Appendix
Functions are not supported within Report Painter (vs. Report Writer)
Individual RP columns always translate into data set entries; column blocks therefore always translate into simple data sets, and hierarchical multi-dimensional column sets are not possible in RP (this means you cannot define column structures via sets in RP as you can in RW by using column sets) Detail levels other than 0, 1-, 1 on row characteristics Keep levels on row characteristics Suppress characteristic in row block Default summation levels for a row block: only the lower bound can be set ("Formatting" - "Row" "Expand to..."/"Collapse to..."), the upper bound is always the maximal summation level (in the RW you can set any lower and upper bound) Page breaks based on row dimension levels (RP workaround: consider variation as an alternative) Specify page breaks for individual row blocks (RP always inserts page break between sections) As of release 3.0E you can specify if page breaks should be inserted between sections (select: Extras - Sections - Page break). Under/overscore characters other than single line (-) Local cells, global cells for other than highest summation level (RP workaround: break hierarchy down to several row blocks instead) Boolean formulas (selection rules) in general data selection Formula rows between sections (RP workaround: use cell calculations instead) Specify if column headers are to be printed for individual row block Using value variables in formulas (up to release 3.0C); as of release 3.0D you can directly use numerical value variables (e.g. period variables) in formulas (click the "Switch text" button in the formula editor) Authority groups cannot yet be assigned to RP reports; see R/3 note 69090 for a workaround RW specific layout parameters can most easily be specified by assigning a suitable standard layout. You can change report layout parameters in report output and save changes, but in the releases before and including 3.0D these changes will not be transferred to the RP definition and will be lost when the report group is generated again. From release 3.0E on such changes will optionally be taken over into the report definition the next time you change the report definition directly. From release 3.1G on you can maintain all layout parameters directly from the report output. Some parameters will only take effect after generating the report group.

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Functions are only supported within Report Painter (vs. Report Writer)
Report sections In the RP you can define sections. A section is mapped to RW by setting suitable inactive column blocks for each row block. Sections are used in the report output for Row positioning Limiting the scope of sorting

Line formatting

You can assign colors to individual lines, and under/overscore them. Any such formatting will automatically be applied to all lines of the same hierarchy level within the same row block. You can format each level individually (in the RW you are restricted to two level intervals for formatting). Key figures In the RP, you can directly use key figures for column definitions. This is not possible in the RW. In the RW, you have to use data-set entries to specify key figures. In RP, data-set entries are accessible as well, but are called predefined columns.

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