As businesses grapple with an ever-expanding volume of information in a dynamic enterprise resource planning (ERP) landscape, swiftly and accurately generating tailored reports becomes paramount.
SAP Query provides a comprehensive, user-friendly interface that transcends technical barriers and enables users to intuitively craft new queries, define data criteria and fields, and easily retrieve insights.
This article discusses the key components and characteristics of SAP Query, how it helps to streamline the reporting processes within the SAP ecosystem, and where our team of SAP consultants can come in to help.
What is SAP Query?
SAP Query is an intelligent tool that allows users to execute queries and create reports to retrieve critical business data from their existing SAP system, offering users a broad range of ways to create various reports and define reporting programs.
Understanding the Critical Features of SAP Queries
With SAP Query functionality, users can define and execute queries on data stored in their existing SAP databases, extracting information based on specific criteria and offering a user-friendly interface for creating reports without needing advanced programming skills.
Users can also define the data they want to retrieve, filter the results, and format the output according to their requirements.
While SAP Query is a powerful tool for basic reporting needs, organizations with more complex reporting requirements may require additional SAP reporting tools like SAP Business Explorer (BEX) or SAP Crystal Reports for customizable reporting capabilities.
Here’s a closer look at the main features of SAP queries for business users:
- User-Friendly Interface: SAP Query provides a graphical interface that allows users to define queries using a drag-and-drop approach, making it accessible to users with varying technical expertise.
- Flexible Query Definition: Users can define queries by selecting fields, specifying criteria, organizing the layout of the results, and creating custom reports tailored to specific needs.
- Data Extraction: SAP Query capabilities enable users to extract data from other SAP modules and applications, such as Financial Accounting (FI), Controlling (CO), and Materials Management (MM).
- Reusable Queries: Once a query is defined, it can be saved and reused, reducing valuable time and effort for recurring reporting needs and enabling users to focus on more value-driven tasks.
- Integration with Other SAP Tools: The SAP Query solution can be integrated with other SAP tools and applications, allowing seamless data transfer, analysis, and connection as needed.
- Authorization Control: SAP Query provides authorization control to ensure users only access the data for which they have the necessary permissions.
Key Components Associated with Queries in SAP
Here are the main components associated with each SAP Query step:
Infoset Queries
Infosets act as a foundation for the query and contain all the necessary details for one or more database tables currently in the SAP landscape.
User Groups
A user group exists to restrict specific user groups to a specific query and complete data authorizations for each user group.
Queries
Queries are available to help users easily create and generate a query for a specific dataset.
Quick Viewer
The Quick Viewer is a tool designed to simplify and streamline report generation, enabling users to create field user groups, add data fields, and customize their reports as needed.
Using a Transaction Code to Create SAP Queries
Here’s a closer look into the main transaction codes used to create reports and queries in SAP:
1) SQ03
The SQ03 transaction code is used to create a logical set of user groups to which each infoset query would be assigned. With the SQ03 t-code, users can create queries in both the standard and global query areas, enabling better query and object management across their SAP system.
2) SQ02
The SAP database contains various tables in which critical master data and related transactions are stored in one location, making it easier to select fields and create new queries.
Before starting a new querying process, users must create a comprehensive infoset that allows users to select specific fields from logical databases or preselected tables and display the right output data.
With the SQ02 transaction code, users can create a new infoset through the combination of existing tables, direct read from a single table, or help from a logical database. The created infoset must be re-generated every time a change is made to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.
3) SQ01
Once infosets have been created and assigned to a specific user group, a query must be designed using the Query Painter tool.
This tool enables users to select the user group for which the query will be designed, specify the query name and existing infoset, and design basic lists in what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) mode.
Any user group can also select the specific output format and variant assignment for each query, providing users a broad range of ways to run queries and access the information they need.
3) SQVI
The Quick Viewer (QVI) tool is used to generate reports with basic lists, enabling quick assess to Quick Viewer report data through a specific table, table join, logical database, or infoset query.
The transaction code SQVI is a simple report that can be written directly in the production system, requiring no complex data transfer between systems and little or no knowledge of complex coding and programming language.
4) Z Transaction Code
For a complete end-user experience, users should create reports in SQ01 or SQ02 and associate it with a custom Z transaction code.
Z transaction codes created in SAP can be used like any other standard transaction code, enabling users to streamline reporting business processes, develop custom reports for specific user groups, and provide user groups with queries promptly.
How Can We Help?
Whether you need help understanding unique transaction code requirements, additional support running a simple ad hoc report for a specific data source, or just an extra hand navigating complex technical transactions across your SAP system, Surety Systems is here to help.
Our senior-level, US-based SAP consultant team has the skills and experience to handle all your critical project needs and help you achieve continued success in the long run.
Getting Started with Our Team
Interested in learning how Query SAP functionality can help you query a specific logical database and develop simple ad hoc reports to better understand your data? Ready to get started on a project with our team of expert SAP consultants?
Contact us today for more information!
