Overview about Tables in SAP

A table is primarily used to store data. It contains table fields to store individual part of the data. It is the fundamental element in SAP for data storage. In this tutorial we are going to understand about different types of tables in SAP, its elements and how to create that. Also cal refer about table fields , different character types and table delivery classes.

Different types of tables in SAP

There are mainly three types of tables in SAP.They are

  • Transparent table : when we create a transparent table in dictionary there will be a corresponding physical table in database with same structure & fields. It can store & read data directly and has one to one relationship.
  • Pooled table : When we create a pooled table there wont be corresponding physical table in database. Its only a logical table which belongs to a table pool in database. It has Many to one relation ship. Which means a table pool which contains physical data represent many logical pooled tables in dictionary. It is mainly used to store control level data.
  • Cluster table : As like a pooled table, it also a logical table which is a part of a table cluster in database.
Different types of tables in SAP

DD02L table in SAP contains all the tables available in SAP system. DD02T table contains the description of each table and DD03L table contains the table fields belongs to each table. By browsing these tables, we can collect list of tables, their fields and other technical details etc.

Creation & Configuration of a table

We can create a new table using transaction code SE11. There we need to specify a name for the table, its technical settings and need to create each fields in the table.

Table field : It is the elementary part of a table. It stores a particular part of data.Each fields must be defined with a name, field type and length. We must specify the following things for a table field

  • Field name
  • Key flag
  • Initial Value
  • Field type
  • Field length
  • Decimal places
  • Short description

Data character Types of table fields

  • C : Character String
  • N : Character String with Digits Only
  • D : Date (Date: YYYYMMDD)
  • T : Time (Time: HHMMSS)
  • X : Byte string
  • P : Packed number (number with fixed number of decimal places)
  • g : String of variable length – ABAP type STRING
  • y : Byte string of variable length – ABAP type XSTRING
  • F : Floating point number
  • s : Two-byte integer – Dictionry type INT2
  • e : Decimal Floating Point Number, 34 Digits
  • a : Decimal Floating Point Number, 16 Digits
  • I : Four-byte integer – Dictionry type INT4

Technical Settings of a table

Following are the most important technical settings that we need to specify when we create a new table

  • Data class : Depends on the nature of the data that table stores. Available options are APPL0 (master data), APPL1 (transaction data) and APPL2 (organizational data).
  • Size category : Can choose from values from 0-4 as per the expected space requirement for table
  • Buffering permission : Available options are Buffering not allowed, Buffering allowed but switched off and Buffering switched on.
  • Buffering type : Available options are Full buffering, Generic buffering and Single-record buffering.
  • Logging : Specify whether the table changes should be logged or not.

Table Delivery Class

Delivery class specify how to deal the table data at the time of modification, transportation etc. Available delivery classes are as below.

  • A : Application table (master and transaction data)
  • C : Customer table, data is only maintained by the customer
  • L : Table for storing temporary data
  • G : Customer table, SAP may insert new data records but may not overwrite or delete existing ones
  • S : System table, data changes have the status of program changes
  • E : System table whose data is transported with its own transport objects

From the following links you will get list of available tables and their details. I have arranged the list by module-wise.

SAP MM

SAP SD

SAP CO

SAP QM

SAP PM

SAP PP

SAP PS

SAP LO

SAP SCM

Others

More will be updated soon …