What is SAP Query? Purpose and Advantages of SAP Query?

By Suraj Kumar Pabbathi

SAP Query is SAP’s tool to define and execute once own reports without knowing ABAP programming language. 

Let us see the key topics to explore SAP Query. 

In this document we shall cover Topic#1. 

What is SAP query and why do we need queries? 

Many times a need arises for SAP Users and Functional Consultants to generate quick reports without getting any ABAP coding done – time taken to complete the coding in development, transport and test it in QA system and then transport to production – is sometimes too long. In such cases, SAP query is a tool provided by SAP for generating these kinds of reports. 

Purpose

• The SAP Query application is used to create reports not already contained in the default. It has been designed for users with little or no knowledge of the SAP programming language ABAP.
• SAP Query offers users a broad range of ways to define reports and create different types of reports such as basic lists, statistics, and ranked lists.
• These outputs can include lists on screens in table format, ALV grids, downloadable spreadsheets, and downloadable flat files. The internal report generator creates an ABAP program corresponding to the definition of the list.

Features:

The SAP Query comprises five components: 

Ø      Queries

Ø      InfoSet Query

Ø      InfoSets

Ø      User Groups

Ø      Translation/Query 

Classic reporting- the creation of lists, statistics and ranked lists- are covered by the InfoSet Query and Queries components. Other components’ range of functions cover the maintenance of InfoSets, the administration of user groups and also the translation of texts created in the SAP Query. All data required by a user for a report can be read from various tables. 

To define a report, you first have to enter individual texts, such as titles, and select the fields and options, which determine the report layout. In the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) mode, you can edit the lists using Drag & Drop and various toolbars. 

Overview:

The following sections describes the individual SAP Query components and provides general information about query areas, transport and authorizations 

 Query Components

The Queries component is used by end users to maintain queries.

You can carry out the following tasks:

Ø      Execute Queries and Generate Lists

Ø      Define Queries

Ø      Change Queries

Infosets Components

Ø      InfoSets are special views of data sources.

Ø      An InfoSet describes which fields of a data source can be reported on in queries.

Ø      InfoSets are assigned to user groups.

Ø      End-users are able to work only with those InfoSets that are relevant to their particular area, as designated by the role or user group that they are assigned to.

Ø      Eg: Vendor master data can be important in purchasing as well as in accountancy. The relevant InfoSet is assigned to both roles/user groups. This means that queries based on this InfoSet can be copied and executed by both groups.

User Groups Components

1. The User Groups component is used to maintain user groups. The system administrator uses it to set up the work environment for end-users.
2. Every user assigned to the user group is able to execute the query.
3. Users are not allowed to modify queries from other user groups, although they may, under certain circumstances, copy and execute

Translation/Query Component

Ø      A great deal of text is generated when defining queries, InfoSets, and user groups.

Ø      The SAP Query displays these texts in the language that you chose when you logged on to the SAP system.

Ø      You can compare the text languages using the component Translation/Query.

Ø      A related text in one or more additional languages is made available for each of the texts created when defining the query.

Query Areas

A query area contains a set of query objects (queries, InfoSets, and user groups) that are discrete and consistent.

There are the following query areas:

Ø      Standard area

Ø      Global area

Standard Area

1.Client specific

2.Query objects are not attached to the Workbench Organizer

Advantage :-End users can develop queries (ad-hoc reports) in their own client that are not meant for use in the rest of the system.

Global Area

1.Cross client

2.Query objects are attached to workbench organizer

Advantage:-The global query area is well suited for centrally developing queries meant for use and distribution throughout the system.

Authorizations

End-users, system administrators, and translators must all be assigned the appropriate authorizations allowing them to work with the SAP Query. 

In order to give individual users targeted, specific rights, the following options are available:

Ø      Roles/user groups

Ø      Authorizations

Steps to create a Query

Tools for Queries 

The following are the tools to manage, create and change queries.

Ø      Infoset Query

Ø      Queries

Ø      Quick viewer