Learn how to transfer queries from the global query area using preconfigured InfoSets to a custom InfoSet in the standard query area. This technique allows you to capture all desired InfoSet data without recreating existing queries in a new InfoSet.
Key Concept
Dear HR Expert,
How can you transfer queries created in the global application area, using preconfigured InfoSets, to a custom InfoSet in the standard application area? Our preconfigured InfoSets did not capture all the infotypes we wanted to report on, so it was necessary to create a custom InfoSet. We have numerous queries already created and do not want to spend time recreating them in our new InfoSet.
—Mark Knoll, Specialist, SAP HR, Saskatoon, Canada
Thank you for your question. Global query area queries enforce consistency across SAP systems and clients, but the inherent link to the SAP Workbench Organizer makes quick ad hoc changes to the query objects difficult and cumbersome.
The change and transport process is usually tightly controlled (i.e., develop in development system and transport to quality control and then to production system where it can finally be used). In some cases, it is easier to work without the change and transport management restrictions that come with global query area objects. You can do this by creating and maintaining standard query area objects directly in each SAP system and client. I am making the following assumptions to provide further focus to this article:
- You would like to copy an InfoSet or set of InfoSets, either custom or SAP standard, and their related queries from the global query area to the standard query area.
- Your SAP user ID has the appropriate SAP Query-related authorizations or you can obtain the appropriate authorizations from your Basis administrator
Before I start, let me explain the relationships between the various SAP Query objects that you want to copy.
- SAP queries are based on predefined (either standard SAP or custom created) InfoSet objects. An InfoSet object defines the set of fields and field groups on which a query can reference and report.
- InfoSets are assigned to one or more user group objects. A user group (formerly called a functional area) object is used to determine which SAP user IDs are allowed to execute and maintain queries of an InfoSet. InfoSet objects are assigned to one or more user groups.
- User group objects represent collections of SAP user IDs that are permitted to access the queries that are based on the InfoSet that is linked to the user group.
- Queries are accessible only to those user IDs that belong to a user group that is assigned to the underlying InfoSet on which the queries are based.
The following are the steps required to transfer query objects from the global query area to the local standard query area within an SAP system and client. This article is based on SAP Enterprise 4.70.
Navigate to SAP Query by following the menu path SAP Menu>Human Resources>
Information System>Reporting Tools> SAP Query, or execute transaction SQ01.
Set the Query area to either Global area (cross-client) or Standard area (client- specific) by clicking on Environment> Query areas (Figure 1). For example, set the Query area to global to identify the InfoSets and queries that you would like to copy to the standard query area (Figure 2). You can then switch to the standard query area to see what query objects exist to ensure you will not be duplicating or unintentionally overwriting existing standard query area objects.
Figure 1
Set Query areas from menu
Figure 2
Select global query area
Since SAP Query objects are not accessible to an end user until the related InfoSet is assigned to a user group, make sure that there is a satisfactory target user group to which you can copy the global query area objects. Once you have identified the source InfoSet and related queries in the global query area, for simplicity’s sake, make sure that at least one of the user groups assigned to the global query area InfoSet exists in the standard query area.
Note
The transports report RSAQR3TR provides many different options when copying objects from one query area to another. For example, it is possible to copy a global user group object or set of user group objects to the target standard query area.
Note
It is also possible to have copied the user group ZTESTUSERGRP from the global query area to the standard query area using the transports tool RSAQR3TR, but for simplicity’s sake, I created the user group manually.
In this exampe, I copy the following SAP Query objects from the global query area to the standard query area:
- InfoSet Z_HR_PT
- All queries based on the InfoSet Z_HR_PT (this amounts to the two queries, ZPTDSTAUDIT and Z_PT_AUDIT in my example)
In the global query area, InfoSet Z_HR_PT is assigned to only one user group, ZTESTUSERGRP. Before copying the global query area, InfoSet Z_HR_PT, and all its related queries to the standard query area, I ensure that the user group ZTESTUSERGRP exists in the standard query area. If it does not exist, I create the user group as follows.
I switch to the standard query area by following the menu path Environment> Query area. I navigate to the user group maintenance screen via menu path Environment>User groups and create the user group ZTESTUSERGRP. Now that there is a suitable user group to which you can associate the InfoSet and query objects, I am ready to make the copy.
I access the transports function to copy the SAP Query objects from either the user groups or InfoSets maintenance screen (Environment>User groups or InfoSets), as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
Navigate to InfoSets object maintenance screen
I follow the menu path Environment> Transports (or Ctrl + F3) to reach the report RSAQR3TR that copies the query objects. Then I select the transports icon in the toolbar shown in Figure 4 to access the main selection screen of RSQAR3TR. In this example, be sure to have the global area selected prior to accessing the RSAQR3TR report. Figure 5 shows the RSAQR3TR main selection screen with global query area active.
Figure 4
Access the transports icon in report RSAQR3TR
Figure 5
RSAQR3TR main selection screen with global query area active
I make the following entries on the selection screen in Figure 5 for the RSAQR3TR report:
- Select the button Copy Global Area -> Standard Area to copy global query area objects to the standard query area
- Select the Transport InfoSets and queries button
- Enter
Z_HR_PT into the InfoSets field, since this is the source InfoSet to copy to the target standard query area
- Enter * into the Queries field, which indicates that we want to select and copy all queries that are related to the Z_HR_PT InfoSet
- Once I am satisfied with the selection criteria and the test results, I uncheck the Test run check box and execute the copy by selecting the execute icon (or pressing F8). A copy log then displays the results of the copy process (Figure 7).
Note
The transport and copy options that appear on the RSAQR3TR screen depend on the currently selected query area. If the currently selected query area is the standard area, then you will see additional transport options that are provided to manage standard query objects. See Figure 6, the RSAQR3TR main selection screen with standard query area active.
Figure 6
RSAQR3TR main selection screen with standard query area active
Tip!
If you leave the Test run check box selected, you can check if there will be any problems with the copy attempt. Enabling the check box generates a log of any potential problems during the copy process and allows you to verify that only the intended source query objects are selected for the copy. If this is not the case, you can go back and modify the selection criterion.
Figure 7
RSAQR3TR copy log
Once the copy has been completed, I switch back to the standard query area and navigate to the user group maintenance screen (Environment>User groups). I enter the user group ZTESTUSERGRP and press Enter. Then I navigate to the InfoSet maintenance screen (Environment>InfoSets) and verify that the InfoSet Z_HR_PT exists. Next, I go to the query maintenance screen (Environment>Queries) and verify that all the queries related to the InfoSet Z_HR_PT exist. If the results are not what I expected, I can always go back to the main selection screen for RSAQR3TR, adjust the selection criterion, and re-run the copy in test mode to verify that the correct objects are selected for copy.
This procedure can be used to copy any global query area object to the standard query area. This includes SAP Query objects in the SAP namespace. For example, you can copy the SAP standard InfoSet /SAPQUERY/HR_ADM to the standard query area and then modify it like any other standard query area InfoSet object (i.e., deleting fields or field groups or adding custom fields to extend the InfoSet). This is particularly useful if you have created and maintained a substantial number of queries based on the SAP standard delivered InfoSets and would like to copy those queries to the standard query area and then extend the underlying InfoSet.
The transports report RSAQR3TR can perform a wide range of transport and copy functions on SAP Query objects. The report has very detailed documentation on the various options that can be used in the copy and transport process. Access this help documentation by pressing the information icon in the toolbar of the main RSAQR3TR selection screen (Figure 8). This documentation gives additional and detailed information on how to perform query object copies between both global and standard query areas as well as between SAP systems and clients.
Figure 8
RSAQR3TR program help and user documentation
If you use SAP R/3 Release 4.7, you can find standard SAP help documentation on the SAP Query, InfoSet Query, QuickViewer, and administration of these tools at https://help.sap.com or in the SAP Library>SAP R/3 Enterprise Application Components>Human Resources>Reporting in Human Resources Management>HR Reporting Tools>SAP Query>InfoSet Query, SAP Query, QuickViewer, or Administration.
Graham Wong
Graham Wong is a consultant and co-founder HR Focal Point, an SAP and technology consulting company. He has been working with SAP applications and technology since 1994. He holds bachelors degrees in commerce and French from the University of Virginia as well as a master's degree in management information systems from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
You may contact the author at graham.wong@hrfocalpoint.com.
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