Structure Import Export
Structure of the Export/Import File
The structure of the export file can also serve as a template for creating new characteristics. Alternatively, the template provided with the delivery of the NWS tool can be used for creating new characteristics.
When populating the template file, ensure that the formatting and naming conventions are consistent with the SAP standard. Furthermore, the formatting and keys of the user's input preferences should be used, as the data will be subsequently created through the NWS tool by the user.
The first row of the spreadsheets (column headers) and the names of the spreadsheets must not be changed or deleted. These serve as key information for the import. The language used in the headings depends on the login language of the user performing the export/import. Always use the appropriate template accordingly (multilingual column headers).
A reordering or hiding of columns may be done in a customer-specific template. Any resulting errors are the responsibility of the customer, and NWS assumes no liability for errors or damages arising from such actions.
In general, when populating the template, entries must match the settings and key information of the respective SAP systems. The content of the upload file is checked for consistency with the system data at the time of import. The template always includes 6 spreadsheets:
- Characteristics: Contains the basic parameters from a technical perspective. This spreadsheet must always be filled.
- Descriptions: Contains language-dependent descriptions of the characteristic. The characteristic name is the key field here. This spreadsheet must always be filled.
- Values: Contains the basic parameters from a technical perspective. The characteristic name is the key field here. This spreadsheet is optional to fill.
- Value Descriptions: Contains language-dependent descriptions of the value. The characteristic name and the value are the key fields here. This spreadsheet is optional to fill.
- Characteristic longtext: Contains language-dependent long texts of the characteristic. The characteristic name is the key field here. This spreadsheet is optional to fill.
- Value longtext: Contains language-dependent long texts of the values. The characteristic name and the value are the key fields here. This spreadsheet is optional to fill.
The clerk is responsible for the content of the import file and thus for the created data. For easier orientation, the Transaction column describes where the field is located in the Fiori app's mask. In most cases, the naming convention is: Tab/Section/Field Name.
The fields of the template are to be filled/changed as follows:
Spreadsheet Characteristics
This spreadsheet must be filled in.
Excel- Column | Column Header/ Field Name | Field Input Mask SAP Transaction | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
A | Characteristic Name | Header Data / Characteristic | Mandatory: maximum 30 or 70 characters [^1] Entries must always be in uppercase and conform to SAP standards. |
B | Data Type | Basic data / Format / Data Type | Mandatory Input: Analogous to SAP standard, only CHAR and NUM types are supported. Data input will be validated. |
C | Number of characters | Basic data / Format / Number of Chars | Mandatory Input: For CHAR characteristics, a maximum of 30, and for NUM characteristics, a maximum of 15 digits are available. For single-digit values, a zero must be prefixed; e.g., 02. Input must be done analogously to the SAP standard. |
D | Decimal Places | Basic data / Format / Decimal Places | Mandatory Input: Only for NUM: For NUM characteristics, a maximum of 14 digits can be set. For single-digit values, a zero must be prefixed; e.g., 02. Input must be done analogously to the SAP standard. |
E | Case Sensitive | Basic data / Format | Optional Input: Only for CHAR: By entering X, the consideration of uppercase/lowercase can be activated for CHAR characteristics in the characteristic values. |
F | Exponent Display | Basic data / Format | Optional Input: analogous to the SAP standard |
G | Exponent | Basic data / Format / Exp. display | Mandatory Input: depending on the Exponential Representation field: analogous to the SAP standard. |
H | Template | Basic data / Format / Template | Optional Input: The field content is ignored during SAP standard import, as the template is automatically generated by the system during characteristic creation. |
I | +/- Sign | Basic data / Format / Negative Vals Allowed | Optional Input: By entering X, negative values can be allowed for NUM characteristics. |
J | Base Unit of Measure | Basic data / Format / Unit of Measure | Optional Input: Only for NUM: Only the unit of measures (UoM) maintained in SAP can be used. |
K | Base unit ISO code | Cannot be maintained via transaction. | Optional for Base Unit of Measure: If the ISO code of the base unit of measure (UoM) is known, it should be used preferentially, as it is language-neutral. If an assignment is maintained in SAP, the correct base UoM is displayed. |
L | Currency | Basic data / Format | Optional Input: Only for CURR: Only the currency units maintained in SAP can be used. |
M | ISO-Code | Cannot be maintained via transaction. | Optional for currency: If the ISO code of the currency is known, it should be used preferentially, as it is language-neutral. If an assignment is maintained in SAP, the correct currency is displayed. |
N | Status | Basic data / Basic data / Status | Mandatory Input: Based on the customized status in SAP, they are to be entered here. The SAP standard provides the following statuses: 0 In creation 1 Released 2 Locked |
O | Char. Group | Basic data / Basic data / Char. Group | Optional Input: The groups from SAP customizing must be used. |
P | Value Assignment | Basic data / Bewertung / single-value; multi-value, Restrictalbe (LOVC) | Mandatory Input: In this field, the following parameters are to be used as follows: - Single-valued/non-restrictable (S) - Single-valued/restrictable (R) - Multi-valued/non-restrictable (M). |
Q | Not ready for input | Addnl Data / Procedure for Value Assignment / Not Ready for Input | Optional Input: By entering X, characteristics can be deactivated for input. |
R | Hidden | Addnl Data / Procedure for Value Assignment / No Display | Optional Input: By entering X, characteristics can be hidden. |
S | Entry Required | Basic data / Format / Entry Required | Optional Input: By entering X, evaluation of the characteristic is mandatory. |
T | Interval Values | Basic data / Format / Interval Vals Allowed | Optional Input: By entering X, intervals can be defined for NUM characteristics. |
U | With Template | Addnl Data / User Entry Handling / Propose Template | Optional Input: By entering X, the option "Propose template" can be activated analogous to the SAP standard. |
V | Display Values | Addnl Data / Procedure for Value Assignment / Display Allowed Values | Optional Input: By entering X, the maintained values for each characteristic are displayed in the LO-VC configurator. |
W | Additional Values | Values / Additional Values | Optional Input: By entering X, additional values can be entered during interactive configuration in addition to the maintained values. |
X | Document | Addnl Data / Document / Document | Optional Input: Specifying a document name maintained in SAP DMS in relation to the characteristic. |
Y | Document Type | Addnl Data / Document / Document Type | Optional Input: Specifying a document type maintained in SAP in relation to the characteristic. |
Z | Document Part | Addnl Data / Document / Document PArt | Optional Input: Specifying a partial document name maintained in SAP DMS in relation to the characteristic. |
AA | Document Version | Addnl Data / Document / Doc. Version | Optional Input: Specifying a document version maintained in SAP DMS in relation to the characteristic. |
AB | Check table | Values / Button "Other Value Check" / Check Table | Optional Input: If the characteristic values are to be derived from a check table, it can be specified here. The check table must exist in SAP. |
AC | Function Module | Values / Button "Other Value Check" / Funktion Modul | Optional Input: If the characteristic values are to be derived via a function module, it can be specified here. The function module must exist in SAP. |
AD | Plant | Not relevant for variant configuration. | |
AE | Selected Set | Not relevant for variant configuration. | |
AF | Class | Not relevant for variant configuration. | |
AG | Class Type | Restrictions / Valid Class Types / Class Types | Optional Input: If the characteristics are to be used depending on the class type, the class type can be specified here. The class type must exist in the SAP system. |
AH | Aggreg. char. | Not relevant for variant configuration. | |
AI | Balance char | Not relevant for variant configuration. | |
AJ | Entry reqd conf. Konf. | Not relevant for variant configuration. | |
AK | Authorization Group | Basic data / Basic data / Auth.Group: | Optional Input: The groups from SAP customizing must be used. |
AL | Unformatted Entry | Addnl Data / User Entry Handling / Unformatted Entry | Optional Input: By entering X, free-form input is enabled in LO-VC according to the SAP standard. |
AM | Template | Not relevant for variant configuration. | |
AN | Table Name | Addnl Data / Reference to Table Field / Tabele Name | Optional Input: For an object characteristic, the table/structure to be referenced can be specified here. The object must exist in SAP. |
AO | Field Name | Addnl Data / Reference to Table Field / Field Name | Optional Input: If a table/structure name is entered, the entry of the field name is mandatory. The field name must be part of the table/structure. |
AP | Deletion Indicator[^2] | Cannot be maintained via transaction. | Optional Input: By entering X, it is possible to delete a characteristic according to SAP standard rules. Even when deleting characteristics, the relevant spreadsheets must be present in the template file. |
[^1] Number of digits are derived from system settings.
[^2] Deletion indicator: It is possible to set a deletion indicator for characteristics. This marks the characteristic as not assessable in configurations. This indicator should be used with caution. SAP standard mechanisms apply.
Spreadsheet Descriptions
In this worksheet, at least one entry per characteristic is mandatory in a language. It is sensible here to use the language with which the user has logged into the SAP system for this process."
Excel- Column | Column Header/ Field Name | Field Input Mask SAP Transaction | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
A | Characteristic Name | Header Data / Characteristic | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. Entries must always be in uppercase and must conform to SAP standards. |
B | Language Key | Cannot be maintained via transaction. | Optional Input: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
C | Language Code | Descripion / Language | Mandatory: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
D | Char. description | Basic data / Basic data / Description or Descripions / Description | Mandatory: The designation must be entered in the (login) language. Optional Input: If the designation needs to be maintained in multiple languages, mass maintenance can be performed by adding additional rows with different language identifiers. The number of digits depends on the setting in the SAP system. |
Spreadsheet Values
This spreadsheet must be present in every template file. If characteristics are to be imported without values, no entries should be made. Otherwise, the data should be entered as follows.
Excel- Column | Column Header/ Field Name | Field Input Mask SAP Transaction | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
A | Characteristic Name | Header Data / Characteristic | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. Entries must always be in uppercase and must conform to SAP standards. |
B | Characteristic Value | Values / Char. Value | Optional Input: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. CHAR: If the parameter for uppercase/lowercase is not set on the characteristic worksheet, then the values must always be entered in uppercase. NUM or all characteristics with template: The values must be entered analogously to the templates stored in the user defaults. |
C | Default | Values / D(efault) | Optional Input: Checkbox: By entering X, it can be specified for each characteristic whether the associated value appears as a default value during characteristic evaluation. |
D | Document | Values / Button "Document for Value" | Optional Input: Specification of a document name maintained in SAP DMS in relation to the value. |
E | Document Type | Values / Button "Document for Value" | Optional Input: Specification of a document type maintained in SAP in relation to the value. |
F | Document Part | Values / Button "Document for Value" | Optional Input: Specification of a document part maintained in SAP in relation to the value. |
G | Document Version | Values / Button "Document for Value" | Optional Input: Specification of a document version maintained in SAP in relation to the value. |
Spreadsheet Value Descriptions
This spreadsheet must be filled in if values are provided for the respective characteristic of the characteristic type CHAR. For each value from the 'Values' spreadsheet, at least one entry in the (login-)language must be provided.
Excel- Column | Column Header/ Field Name | Field Input Mask SAP Transaction | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
A | Characteristic Name | Header Data / Characteristic | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. Entries must always be in uppercase and must conform to SAP standards. |
B | Language Key | Cannot be maintained via transaction. | Optional Input: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
C | Language Code | Descripion / Language | Mandatory: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
D | Characteristic Value | Values / Char. Value | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. The content of the values must be identical to those from the 'Values' spreadsheet. |
E | Bezeich.Merkmalwert | Werte / Bezeichnung | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. |
Spreadsheet Characteristic longtext
This spreadsheet is optional to fill out if long texts are provided for the characteristic.
Excel- Column | Column Header/ Field Name | Field Input Mask SAP Transaction | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
A | Characteristic Name | Header Data / Characteristic | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. Entries must always be in uppercase and must conform to SAP standards. |
B | Language Key | Cannot be maintained via transaction. | Optional Input: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
C | Language Code | Descripion / Language | Mandatory: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
D | Tag column | Editor / Format | Mandatory: The Formats column contains format keys that determine the text output formatting or initiate control commands. Further information can be found in the SAP help. |
E | Text line | Editor / Row Text | Mandatory: Entry of the long text. For each characteristic, the text must be entered per cell line by line in the template file. A maximum of 72 characters per text line can be used. |
Spreadsheet Value longtext
This spreadsheet is optional to fill out if long texts are provided for the values. Long texts for the values can be stored for all characteristic types.
Excel- Column | Column Header/ Field Name | Field Input Mask SAP Transaction | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
A | Characteristic Name | Header Data / Characteristic | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. Entries must always be in uppercase and must conform to SAP standards. |
B | Characteristic Value | Values / Char. Value | Mandatory: The number of digits must be adjusted according to the setting in the SAP system. The content of the values must be identical to those from the "Values" spreadsheet. |
C | Language Key | Cannot be maintained via transaction. | Optional Input: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
D | Language Code | Descripion / Language | Mandatory: Interactive language key / Language Code; if one language identifier is entered, the other one will be automatically filled in during import. |
E | Tag column | Editor / Format | Mandatory: The Formats column contains format keys that determine the text output formatting or initiate control commands. Further information can be found in the SAP help. |
F | Text line | Editor / Row Text | Mandatory: Entry of the long text. For each characteristic, the text must be entered per cell line by line in the template file. A maximum of 72 characters per text line can be used. |