90 Tips & Tricks Every Should Know: SAP Super User

NextGen Super Users:
Department of the Future
Authored by SAPinsight Members:
90 Tips & Tricks

Every Constance Darnell
SAP Super User

Should Know Gus Lopes
SAP System Provided by:
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 1 – Key SAPinsight16
Terms
SAP
SAP Portal
SAP (Systems, Applications, and
SAP GUI Products in Data Processing): The
software application known as SAP is
part of a category of software known as
SAP Instance Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
software. ERP systems integrate
SAP Client business processes and various
business tasks across functional areas
into one system.
SAP Session
SAP = name of the company.
R/2, R/3, ERP, S/4 = name of software.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
SAP
SAP Portal
SAP GUI SAP Portal provides a single point of

access to SAP and non-SAP sources
through a web browser. This can be
SAP Instance used by employees, customers,
partners, and suppliers.
SAP Client
SAP Session
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
SAP
SAP Portal
SAP GUI SAP GUI (Graphical User Interface):

SAP GUI is the local computer
application used to access the SAP
SAP Instance transactions and data.
SAP Client
SAP Session
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
SAP
SAP Portal
SAP GUI SAP Instance: Used interchangeably

with "server" or "application server" in
the SAP system, instance is the server
SAP Instance used to run SAP. The instance is a self-
contained version of the SAP database
containing all clients, customers,
SAP Client materials, and other data necessary to
perform all transactions.
SAP Session
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
SAP
SAP Portal
SAP GUI SAP Client: A self-contained unit in

the SAP system. A client has its own
transaction data and its own set of
SAP Instance tables but share the transactions
applications with other clients in the
SAP Client same instance.
You do your daily work in a specific

SAP Session client within your Production system.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
SAP
SAP Portal
SAP GUI SAP Session: An active SAP

connection in which a transaction can
run. Users can open up to six sessions
SAP Instance at a time.
SAP Client
SAP Session
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 7 – Logging On
SAPinsight16
There are commonly two ways to access

SAP:
• SAP Portal
• SAP GUI
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 8 – Logging Off
SAPinsight16
On the main menu bar

 Click System.
 From the drop-down menu, select
Log off. The log off confirmation
box displays.
 Make sure there is no data that
needs to be saved, then click Yes.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 9 - Key Terms
SAPinsight16
Easy Access Screen
Transaction
Easy Access Screen

Toolbar
Where you start every session and is
System Message the primary user navigation area.
Consider this the equivalent of a main

menu.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 10 - KeySAPinsight16
Terms
Easy Access Screen
Transaction
Transaction
Toolbar
A business function program.
System Message Executing transactions in SAP creates
the day-to-day working data (e.g., a
purchase order, a sales order, etc.) and
the data is exchanged between SAP
modules.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 11 - Key SAPinsight16
Terms
Easy Access Screen
Transaction
Toolbar
Toolbar
A grouping of control functions. Controls
System Message that are typically included are buttons
(with text or icon).
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Easy Access Screen
Transaction
System Message
Toolbar
Information provided to the user
System Message concerning the transaction being
executed.
There are three types:

1. Information/confirmation,
2. Warning,
3. Error messages that must be
corrected in order to proceed.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 13 – Menu Bar
SAPinsight16
The Menu Bar identifies the functions

available within the current task. The
menu options change based on the current
transaction and screen within the
transaction.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 14 – StandardSAPinsight16
Toolbar
The Standard Toolbar contains buttons

used to execute the most common tasks in
SAP, including the Command field, Save,
Back, Cancel, Exit, Find, First Page,
Previous Page, Next Page, Last Page,
Create a New Session, Generate a
Shortcut, Help, and Customizing the
Local Layout.
• The Command field is used to access
transactions.
• Buttons on the Standard Toolbar are
grayed out if that function is not
available on the current screen.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 15 – Title Bar
SAPinsight16
The Title Bar displays directly below

the Standard Toolbar. When
processing a transaction, the Title Bar
displays the current task name.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 16 – ApplicationSAPinsight16
Toolbar
The Application Toolbar contains

shortcut buttons to access commonly-used
functions for the currently active SAP area.
The toolbar content changes as you access
different areas of SAP.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 17 – Menu Path
SAPinsight16
The SAP Menu is available

only on the SAP Easy Access
screen. It is used to navigate to
specific SAP transactions.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 18 – Status Bar
SAPinsight16
The Status Bar displays system

information on the lower-right
side of the screen and system
messages on the lower-left side of
the screen.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 19 – Status Bar…
SAPinsight16
 The Status Bar displays system

information and system messages.
 Click the Expand button (drop-

down arrow) in the lower-right
corner of the screen to display
system and client information, the
session number in which you are
currently working, the current
transaction or screen, and other
information.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 20 – System Messages
SAPinsight16
There are three types of system

messages in SAP.
Stop - Identifies an incorrect
entry in the system
OK - Identifies affirmative system
messages
Warning - Identifies information

that may be an error
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Technical Names
Favorites Technical Names
The alpha-numeric code that we all

User Profile know and love ☺ as transaction code.
Ex: MM01
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Technical Names
Favorites Favorites
Favorites allow you to store transactions

User Profile and frequently-used paths as well as
folders, files, and links to the Internet.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Technical Names
Favorites User Profile
Displays a subset of the attributes

User Profile stored for a user.
www.SAPinsight.com
Names
Tip 24 – Display Technical SAPinsight16
 The Menu Path is used to navigate

to specific SAP transactions.
 By default, SAP displays the text

name for transactions but not their
associated transaction codes.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 24 – Display Technical Name s…
SAPinsight16
To display the transaction codes:

 From the SAP Easy Access screen,
on the Menu Bar, click Extras.
 From the drop-down menu, select
Settings.
 On the Settings pop-up box, select
the Display technical names
checkbox.
 Click the Enter button to continue.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 24 – Display Technical Name s…
SAPinsight16
The transaction codes display before

the transaction names.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 25 - Maintain SAPinsight16
Favorites
3 ways to add a transaction to the

Favorites folder:
 From the SAP Easy Access screen,

follow the menu path Favorites >
Add.
 Click and drag the transaction from
the SAP Menu path and drop it in
the Favorites folder.
 Right-click the transaction and
select Add to Favorites from
the context menu.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 26 - Maintain User Profile
SAPinsight16
To edit your own data:
From the menu bar, select System >

User Profile > Own Data. The
Maintain User Profile screen displays.
There are 3 tabs:

 Address
 Defaults
 Parameters
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 27 - Maintain UserSAPinsight16
Profile…
Address tab
contains user information like
name, location, phone, and email
address.
www.SAPinsight.com
Profile…
Defaults tab is used to select SAP

settings.
 Start menu – used to specify a

custom default menu.
 Logon Language – defaulted by
system.
 Decimal Notation, Date Format,
and Time Format – set to match the
area where you do business.
 Spool Control – printer setup.
 Personal Time Zone – set your time
zone if it differs from the
computer’s.
www.SAPinsight.com
Profile…
Parameters tab is used to store default

values in SAP. For example, if you always
want to default a company code in the
vendor search screen, then you can set
that on the Parameters tab.
 The first step is to find the

Parameter ID. You do that using a
transaction that has the field you
want to default.
www.SAPinsight.com
Profile…
Parameter IDs
 Click in the field you want to default,

and then press [F1].
 The Help screen for the field

displays. Click the Technical
Information button.
 Locate the Parameter ID. For this

field, it is BUK.
 Close all screens and return to the

Maintain User Profile screen.
www.SAPinsight.com
Profile…
 Type the parameter ID (“BUK” in this

case) in the Parameter ID field.
 Type the company code (in this case

1020) in the Parameter value field.
 Click the Enter icon on the main

toolbar to complete.
 Company code 1020 is now

defaulted every time you use a
transaction that contains the
Company Code field.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Menu Path
Command Field
Menu Path
Input Field
The sequence of selections necessary
to choose a specific operation or
Display Field transaction.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Menu Path
Command Field
Command Field
Input Field An input field located to the right of the
Enter icon in the Standard Toolbar. It
Display Field is used to enter a transaction code and
call a transaction without having to drill
down through the SAP Menu.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Menu Path
Command Field
Input Field
Input Field
Consists of a field name and an input
Display Field area. You can enter and edit text in the
input area.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Menu Path
Command Field
Display Field
Input Field A field that can be viewed but not
edited. A display field is generally
Display Field grayed out.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 36 - Accessing Transactions
SAPinsight16
There are two additional ways to access

transactions in SAP:
 Select the transaction from the SAP
Menu.
 Enter the transaction code in the
Command Field on the Menu Bar,
and then click the Enter button or
press [Enter] on the keyboard.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 37 - FieldSAPinsight16
Types
There are 2 types of fields on all SAP

transaction screens.
• Input fields generally have a
white background and accept
data entry.
• Display fields are generally
grayed out and do not allow
data entry.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 38 - Field SAPinsight16
Types…
Input fields have three types of field entries:
• Required fields must be completed to

continue or save the transaction.
▪ System-required fields are denoted

with a checkmark.
▪ Business-required fields may not have
indicators.
• Optional fields do not have to be

completed to save the transaction.
• Conditional fields are also not required

except in certain cases where another entry
makes it required.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 39 – Checkboxes vs. Radio Buttons
SAPinsight16
• Checkboxes can be used to select

multiple items from a list.
• Radio buttons are used to select

one and only one item from a list.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 40 – KeySAPinsight16
Terms
Matchcode
ALV Grid Control

Matchcode
Enables quick searching for master or

transactional data through the
database by narrowing the search
criteria. Fields that contain a
matchcode search display a drop-
down arrow.
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Matchcode
ALV Grid Control

ALV Grid Control
The ALV Grid Control (ALV = SAP

List Viewer) is a flexible tool for
displaying lists. The tool provides
common list operations as generic
functions and can be enhanced by
self-defined options. This allows you
to use the ALV Grid Control in a large
range of application programs.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 42 – Matchcodes
SAPinsight16
There are 3 categories of matchcodes:
 Possible Entries: A fixed list for

input, listed on one screen.
 Restrict Value Range: Many entries

for a field, with tabbed screens to
enter search criteria.
 Calendar Search: A calendar dialog

box enables you to select the day,
month, and year.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 43 – Wildcard Search
SAPinsight16
Wildcards allow you to search text fields

for partial matches. Wildcard characters
take the place of letters or numbers.
The most common wildcard is the

asterisk (*).
Pet* returns entries starting with “pet”

*pet returns entries ending with “pet”
*pet* returns entries containing “pet”
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 44 – Personal Lists
SAPinsight16
To avoid searching through the entire list,

add any commonly used search results to
a Personal List.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 45 – SearchSAPinsight16
Criteria
Many transactions provide an extensive

search criteria screen that you can
use to narrow the search so that it
returns only the needed results.
For example, the Scope of List field

defaults to BEST.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 46 – Search Results (BEST)
SAPinsight16
The default results screen displays a

static version of the information. It has
limited drill-down capability using the
buttons on the Application toolbar.
Tip: Always try double-clicking on

fields in the result screen. Sometimes
you find a drill-down.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 47 – ALV GridSAPinsight16
Control
When you change the Scope of List to

ALV, the application displays the
information in a much more flexible
format that allows you to:
• Add, hide, or move columns

• Create and save special layouts for
future use
• Directly export the report to Excel
or Word
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 48 – Document Flow
SAPinsight16
Document Flow is a representation in

the system of the sequence of documents
for a business transaction.
 Document flow availability is

indicated by an icon on the
application toolbar.
 For example, a document flow can

consist of a quotation, a sales order, a
delivery, and an invoice.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 49 – Export Data
SAPinsight16
SAP provides several ways to export data

depending on the transaction.
• For ALV Grids, click the buttons on

the Application Menu bar to export
directly to Excel or Word, or to
export lists in various formats.
• On some screens, from the main
menu, select System > List >
Save > Local file.
• On other screens, from the main
menu, select List > Export >
Local file or Spreadsheet or Word
Processing.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 50 – Import Data
SAPinsight16
Importing requires the use of custom

SAP transactions and specially-
designed spreadsheets.
Import examples:
• Journal entries
• Pricing
• Adding materials to contracts
www.SAPinsight.com
Terms
Variant
Variant
Set of input values for selection

screens. Can be used when selection
screens are called to initialize fields
with default values.
Variants can be created on a selection

screen using Goto > Variants.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 52 – Create Variant
SAPinsight16
Variants are used to tailor selection

screens to produce reports that provide
the most useful information.
Using variants, you can:

• Set field defaults
• Protect fields to prevent them from
being changed
• Hide fields that aren’t needed
• Make certain fields required
• Adjust other fields to make the
report more useful
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 53 – Use SAPinsight16
Variant
To use a variant:
Click the Get Variant icon on the

Application Toolbar and choose the
desired variant from the Directory.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 54 – Sessions
SAPinsight16
Create new sessions:

• From the main menu, select
System > Create Session.
• On the Standard Toolbar, click the
New Session icon.
End a session:
• From the Menu Bar, select
System > End Session.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 55 – Sessions…
SAPinsight16
 When you launch SAP, a single

session opens. Up to six sessions can
/oMM01 be opened.
 Open a new session when looking for

data that may impact a new
transaction: in the Command field,
type /o followed by the new
transaction.
 Display a material: in the Command

field, type /oMM01. The display
transaction opens in a new session.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 56 – Help
SAPinsight16
There are two main Help features:

 F1 Help – includes field definitions
and information on system
messages. Press [F1] on your
keyboard to view information about
the selected field and the type of
data to enter into it.
 Customized Help – after accessing

a transaction in SAP, from the main
menu, select Help > [company
name] Help. If active in your
company, you will see customized
directions that provide step-by-step
instruction display for the current
transaction.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 57 – Help…
SAPinsight16
You can also get help from Super Users!

 Super Users – They are “power users" who
are very familiar with SAP and other systems
as well as the compny’s business processes.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 58 – Pop up dialog box
SAPinsight16
You can select whether or not pop up dialog

boxes appear for Errors, Warnings, Successes.
From the Customize Local Layout button

>> Options >> Interaction Design >>
Notifications >> Messages
Select the types of message you want to pop
up on the SAP screen.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 59 – Freeze Report SAPinsight16
Columns
You can freeze columns on SAP reports, just

like MS Excel.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 60 – Set Start Transaction
SAPinsight16
- Go to Extras > Settings > Set Start

Transaction
- You must log off and back on to see

change.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 61 – Copy Text
SAPinsight16
- When on a report, press CTRL + Y to

select and copy data.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 62 – Paste Text
SAPinsight16
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 63 – Search Menu
SAPinsight16
- T-code search_sap_menu allows you to

find the menu path for a given
transaction code.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 64 – SAP Glossary
SAPinsight16
https://help.sap.com/viewer/p/GLOSSARY
Example:
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 65 – Report Layout
SAPinsight16
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 66 – Maintain ReportSAPinsight16
Layout
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 67 – Save Report Layout
SAPinsight16
www.SAPinsight.com
Tips 68 – 73 SAPinsight16
Command Field Shortcuts
/n Takes the user to the root SAP Easy Access menu from anywhere.
/n + [T-code] Takes the user directly to the desired T-code from anywhere.
For example, “/nVA01” will take the user directly to the Create Sales Order
screen.
/* + [T-code] Like ‘/n + [T-code]’, but takes the user directly into the desired
T-code with the last values used. For example, “/*XD02” will take the user
directly into change mode screen for the last customer you were changing.
/nex Closes all windows for the current system/client and logs off of SAP.
/o Alone, it will generate an “Overview of Sessions” screen for the current

system. It also allows you to generate a new session.
/o + [T-code] When used as a prefix to a transaction code, it will open the

target transaction in a new window. For example, “/ova01” will open up the
Create Sales Order screen in a new window.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 74 – UserSAPinsight16
Profile
SU3 - T-code to manage your own user

id and default settings.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 75 – WideSAPinsight16
Cursor
You can make your cursor more visible

by going to > Options >
Interaction Design > Visualization
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 76 – Relationships
SAPinsight16
Visual Representation of
SAP HCM Objects Relationships
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 77 – Infotype
SAPinsight16
What is an Infotype?
A SAP Infotype is an information unit used
to store employee relevant data required for
administration purposes.
It has a 4 digit-code and a related name. It

stores similar data into one screen.
For example, Personal Data (Infotype 0002)

stores the employee's personal data (i.e., first
name, last name, birth date, marital status).
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 78 – Company Code
SAPinsight16
Company Code
FI versus CO
Company Code
Is the link between Finance and
Corporate Structure. Legal entity - with
one chart of accounts and one currency
- that is defined by Finance.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 79 – FI SAPinsight16
vs CO
Company Code
FI versus CO
FI - Finance
External facing. Legal reporting. P&L.
CO-Controlling
Internal facing. How the company is
organized and structured financially.
Cost Centers, Profit Centers.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 80 – Deleted Docs
SAPinsight16
To find out who did it and when a

document was deleted:
• Execute a display tcode, for example

VA03 (Sales Order Display)
• Enter document number (Do not

press enter). Go to Environment >
Changes
www.SAPinsight.com
TipTip
81 ??
– User
– /nSU53
Authorization
SAPinsight16
/nSU53 – Display Authorization Data

for User
If you get an authorization error for a

transaction you think you should have
access to, type /nSU53 and send a
screenshot of the results to your
system administrator.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 82 – Trx Shortcut
SAPinsight16
To create a shortcut to transactions

directly on your desk top:
- Navigate to the transaction on the

SAP Easy Access menu.
- From the Menu Bar:

Click on Edit > Create shortcut
on the desktop
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 83 – Stop Trx
SAPinsight16
If a transaction is taking too long to run, you

can stop it by clicking on the Control menu
> Stop Transaction (Top left

corner of your screen)
This icon is available on all transactions.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 84 – PrintSAPinsight16
Screen
Click on the Customize Local Layout

button from the Standard Toolbar.
Select the Hardcopy option.
The print is sent to the default printer.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 85 – Auto tab SAPinsight16
to Fields
Click on the Customize Local Layout

button from the Standard Toolbar.
Select Options… >> Interaction Design >>

Keyboard Settings.
Cursor moves between entry fields

automatically. This function is useful when
you are entering a large amount of data and
you do not want to press the TAB key to move
from field to field.
AutoTAB only works at the end of an input field.

For example, if the Material field can hold 12
characters, but the material number you enter is
only 7 characters long, you must still press the TAB
key to move to the next input field.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 86 – ChangeSAPinsight16
Font Size
Click on the Customizing of local layout

button on the Standard Toolbar.
Select Options…
Click on the Visual Design option.
Make changes in the Font Settings section.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 87 – SAP Menu DisplaySAPinsight16
Options
Display Favorites below the SAP Menu:
From the Menu Bar, select Extras > Settings.
Check Display favorites at the end of list.

Click on the Save button.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 88 – Change Table SAPinsight16
Settings
Useful when you work in a transaction with

a table of values. This example is ME22N.
Arrange the table columns to reflect the

layout that works best for you. Then save
your layout for future use.
Click on the Table Setting button in the top

SAP System Provided by: right corner of the table.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 89 – Share Your Favorites
SAPinsight16
From the Menu Bar:
Save your Favorites to a file:

Select Favorites > Download to PC.
To upload a Favorites list:

Select Favorites > Upload from PC
This will either insert or append, not replace.

You will not lose your existing Favorites.
www.SAPinsight.com
Tip 90 SAPinsight16
– Some fun “facts” about SAP! Just for laughs!
The Matrix runs SAP.
ABAP is the only language understood by aliens.
SAP can divide by zero.
By reading the source code of transaction SE38 you will

temporarily be granted invisibility.
Chuck Norris uses SAP to keep track of his death count.
www.SAPinsight.com
BONUS TIP SAPinsight16
The Keep Button
Keeps the search result list “pinned” to the

screen.
Great for some data entry and research

options.
www.SAPinsight.com
NextGen Super Users:
Department of the Future
SUPER stuff to DO
90 in 90 1. Evaluate this session.
Tips & Tricks
Every 2. Visit the SAPinsight table.
SAP Super User 3. Buy a book to learn more

Should Know about Super Users.
Content by Constance Darnell and Gus Lopes www.SAPinsight.com

90 Tips & Tricks Every Should Know: SAP Super User

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NextGen Super Users:

Department of the Future

Authored by SAPinsight Members:

90 Tips & Tricks

SAP Super User

SAP System Provided by:

SAP System Provided by:

SAP GUI SAP Portal provides a single point of

SAP System Provided by:

SAP GUI SAP GUI (Graphical User Interface):

SAP System Provided by:

SAP GUI SAP Instance: Used interchangeably

SAP System Provided by:

SAP GUI SAP Client: A self-contained unit in

You do your daily work in a specific

SAP System Provided by:

SAP GUI SAP Session: An active SAP

SAP System Provided by:

There are commonly two ways to access

SAP System Provided by:

On the main menu bar

SAP System Provided by:

Easy Access Screen

Easy Access Screen

Consider this the equivalent of a main

SAP System Provided by:

Easy Access Screen

SAP System Provided by:

Easy Access Screen

SAP System Provided by:

Easy Access Screen

There are three types:

SAP System Provided by:

The Menu Bar identifies the functions

SAP System Provided by:

The Standard Toolbar contains buttons

SAP System Provided by:

The Title Bar displays directly below

SAP System Provided by:

The Application Toolbar contains

SAP System Provided by:

The SAP Menu is available

SAP System Provided by:

The Status Bar displays system

SAP System Provided by:

 The Status Bar displays system

 Click the Expand button (drop-

SAP System Provided by:

There are three types of system

Warning - Identifies information

SAP System Provided by:

Favorites Technical Names

The alpha-numeric code that we all

SAP System Provided by:

Favorites allow you to store transactions

SAP System Provided by:

Favorites User Profile

Displays a subset of the attributes

SAP System Provided by: