- SAP Smartforms
- Data Type Conversion
- Character Encoding and Data Transformation
- Conversion Functions
- Data Transformation for File Processing
- Time and Date Handling
- BAPI and IDOC Data Conversions
- Internal and External Storage Formats
- Conversion of Legacy Data
- ABAP Conversion Exit Functions
- Error Handling During Conversion
- Handling Different Formats for Integration
24CONVERSION3011 – ABAP Conversion Exit Functions
Understanding ABAP Conversion Exit Functions:
ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is the programming language used within the SAP ecosystem. A crucial part of working with SAP is ensuring that data is consistently converted between various formats. Conversion exits are specialized function modules in ABAP that help convert data from one format to another, ensuring that the data entered into SAP applications is processed correctly, both on the user interface and in the backend systems.
In this blog, we will explore ABAP Conversion Exit Functions, their importance, how they work and common examples of where they are used.
What are ABAP Conversion Exit Functions?
A conversion exit in ABAP is a function module designed to transform data when it is entered into or retrieved from the SAP system. These transformations are needed because, often, data needs to follow a specific format, such as handling date, numeric or alphanumeric fields that require special treatment.
For example:
- Date Fields: Input dates might come in various formats (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY or YYYY-MM-DD), but SAP stores them in a specific format (e.g., YYYYMMDD).
- Numeric Fields: Numbers like currency values or measurements may need to be displayed with specific decimal places or thousands separators.
By using conversion exits, ABAP ensures that these field values are consistent and in the required format before the data is saved or processed further.
How Do Conversion Exit Functions Work?
Conversion exits are used during data entry, data retrieval and display in SAP. These function modules automatically convert input data to an internal SAP format when the user enters the data or display it in a more user-friendly format when the data is retrieved.
In simpler terms, a conversion exit function performs the following tasks:
- Converts Data Input: When a user enters data into an input field, the conversion exit transforms the data into a format that the SAP system can process.
- Converts Data Output: When data is retrieved from the system, the conversion exit transforms it into a format that is easier for the user to read and understand.
Each SAP field can be associated with its own conversion exit, ensuring that the data conforms to the correct format.
Common Examples of ABAP Conversion Exit Functions
Below are some of the most commonly used ABAP conversion exits:
- ALPHA Conversion Exit
The ALPHA conversion exit is used for fields that require consistent leading zeros. It is commonly used for fields like material numbers, customer numbers and vendor numbers, where the length and formatting need to be standardized.
ALPHA INPUT: This function converts the input data into a standardized format by adding leading zeros if necessary.
Example:
DATA: lv_input TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_ALPHA_INPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_input
IMPORTING
output = lv_output.
ALPHA OUTPUT: This function takes data stored in SAP and converts it into a format with leading zeros for display purposes.
Example:
DATA: lv_output TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_ALPHA_OUTPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_output
IMPORTING
output = lv_input.
2.Date Conversion Exits
SAP typically stores date fields in the format YYYYMMDD, but users may input dates in different formats like DD/MM/YYYY. The Date Conversion Exit ensures that the input and output are correctly formatted.
CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_INPUT: This function converts a date from an external format (like DD/MM/YYYY) to the SAP internal format.
Example:
DATA: lv_date TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_INPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_date
IMPORTING
output = lv_internal_date.
CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_OUTPUT: This function converts an internal date (in YYYYMMDD format) to a user-friendly format (like DD/MM/YYYY).
Example:
DATA: lv_internal_date TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_OUTPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_internal_date
IMPORTING
output = lv_user_date.
3. Currency Conversion Exits
Currency fields often need specific formatting and may involve local currency symbols, decimal places and thousands separators. Conversion exits can be used to standardize currency data when entering or displaying it.
- CONVERSION_EXIT_CURRENCY_INPUT: Used to convert the user input of a currency value to the internal SAP currency format.
- CONVERSION_EXIT_CURRENCY_OUTPUT: Used to display currency values in a user-friendly format with the appropriate currency symbol and decimals.
4. Unit of Measure (UOM) Conversion Exits
SAP also allows conversion between different units of measurement (UOM). The UOM conversion exit ensures that different units are accurately represented and converted in the system.
Implementing ABAP Conversion Exit Functions
ABAP conversion exit functions can be used in various contexts. These functions are typically used in the following scenarios:
- In Screen Fields
You can define conversion exits in SAP screen fields to automatically convert input and output data for display and entry.
PARAMETERS: p_date TYPE sy-datum.
In this example, a screen field for the date can use the conversion exit to ensure that the date is properly formatted when entered and displayed.
- In Internal Data Processing
When handling data within internal tables or in the database, conversion exits are used to ensure that data is consistently formatted, which is especially important when working with different systems or regional settings.
Benefits of Using Conversion Exits in ABAP
- Data Consistency: Ensures that the data conforms to a single, standard format, avoiding issues due to inconsistencies in the data entered by users.
- Flexibility: You can create custom conversion exits that cater to specific business logic or field requirements.
- Improved User Experience: Conversion exits enhance the user interface by displaying data in a more human-readable format (e.g., currency symbols, formatted dates).
- Error Prevention: By using conversion exits, errors caused by incorrect data formats are minimized, ensuring smooth data processing.
ABAP conversion exit functions are a vital part of SAP’s data handling, ensuring that data entered into or retrieved from SAP systems is consistently formatted. Whether it is converting dates, numbers, currency values or custom fields, conversion exits help improve the quality of the data and the overall user experience. As an ABAP developer, mastering conversion exits is essential for efficient data management and ensuring the proper functioning of SAP applications. By understanding how to implement and use conversion exits, you can effectively manage data formats, prevent errors and enhance both backend processes and frontend user interactions in your SAP systems.
Author : Aniket Pawar, 9373518385
24CONVERSION3011 – ABAP Conversion Exit Functions
Understanding ABAP Conversion Exit Functions:
ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is the programming language used within the SAP ecosystem. A crucial part of working with SAP is ensuring that data is consistently converted between various formats. Conversion exits are specialized function modules in ABAP that help convert data from one format to another, ensuring that the data entered into SAP applications is processed correctly, both on the user interface and in the backend systems.
In this blog, we will explore ABAP Conversion Exit Functions, their importance, how they work and common examples of where they are used.
What are ABAP Conversion Exit Functions?
A conversion exit in ABAP is a function module designed to transform data when it is entered into or retrieved from the SAP system. These transformations are needed because, often, data needs to follow a specific format, such as handling date, numeric or alphanumeric fields that require special treatment.
For example:
- Date Fields: Input dates might come in various formats (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY or YYYY-MM-DD), but SAP stores them in a specific format (e.g., YYYYMMDD).
- Numeric Fields: Numbers like currency values or measurements may need to be displayed with specific decimal places or thousands separators.
By using conversion exits, ABAP ensures that these field values are consistent and in the required format before the data is saved or processed further.
How Do Conversion Exit Functions Work?
Conversion exits are used during data entry, data retrieval and display in SAP. These function modules automatically convert input data to an internal SAP format when the user enters the data or display it in a more user-friendly format when the data is retrieved.
In simpler terms, a conversion exit function performs the following tasks:
- Converts Data Input: When a user enters data into an input field, the conversion exit transforms the data into a format that the SAP system can process.
- Converts Data Output: When data is retrieved from the system, the conversion exit transforms it into a format that is easier for the user to read and understand.
Each SAP field can be associated with its own conversion exit, ensuring that the data conforms to the correct format.
Common Examples of ABAP Conversion Exit Functions
Below are some of the most commonly used ABAP conversion exits:
- ALPHA Conversion Exit
The ALPHA conversion exit is used for fields that require consistent leading zeros. It is commonly used for fields like material numbers, customer numbers and vendor numbers, where the length and formatting need to be standardized.
ALPHA INPUT: This function converts the input data into a standardized format by adding leading zeros if necessary.
Example:
DATA: lv_input TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_ALPHA_INPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_input
IMPORTING
output = lv_output.
ALPHA OUTPUT: This function takes data stored in SAP and converts it into a format with leading zeros for display purposes.
Example:
DATA: lv_output TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_ALPHA_OUTPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_output
IMPORTING
output = lv_input.
2.Date Conversion Exits
SAP typically stores date fields in the format YYYYMMDD, but users may input dates in different formats like DD/MM/YYYY. The Date Conversion Exit ensures that the input and output are correctly formatted.
CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_INPUT: This function converts a date from an external format (like DD/MM/YYYY) to the SAP internal format.
Example:
DATA: lv_date TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_INPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_date
IMPORTING
output = lv_internal_date.
CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_OUTPUT: This function converts an internal date (in YYYYMMDD format) to a user-friendly format (like DD/MM/YYYY).
Example:
DATA: lv_internal_date TYPE string.
CALL FUNCTION ‘CONVERSION_EXIT_DATE_OUTPUT’
EXPORTING
input = lv_internal_date
IMPORTING
output = lv_user_date.
3. Currency Conversion Exits
Currency fields often need specific formatting and may involve local currency symbols, decimal places and thousands separators. Conversion exits can be used to standardize currency data when entering or displaying it.
- CONVERSION_EXIT_CURRENCY_INPUT: Used to convert the user input of a currency value to the internal SAP currency format.
- CONVERSION_EXIT_CURRENCY_OUTPUT: Used to display currency values in a user-friendly format with the appropriate currency symbol and decimals.
4. Unit of Measure (UOM) Conversion Exits
SAP also allows conversion between different units of measurement (UOM). The UOM conversion exit ensures that different units are accurately represented and converted in the system.
Implementing ABAP Conversion Exit Functions
ABAP conversion exit functions can be used in various contexts. These functions are typically used in the following scenarios:
- In Screen Fields
You can define conversion exits in SAP screen fields to automatically convert input and output data for display and entry.
PARAMETERS: p_date TYPE sy-datum.
In this example, a screen field for the date can use the conversion exit to ensure that the date is properly formatted when entered and displayed.
- In Internal Data Processing
When handling data within internal tables or in the database, conversion exits are used to ensure that data is consistently formatted, which is especially important when working with different systems or regional settings.
Benefits of Using Conversion Exits in ABAP
- Data Consistency: Ensures that the data conforms to a single, standard format, avoiding issues due to inconsistencies in the data entered by users.
- Flexibility: You can create custom conversion exits that cater to specific business logic or field requirements.
- Improved User Experience: Conversion exits enhance the user interface by displaying data in a more human-readable format (e.g., currency symbols, formatted dates).
- Error Prevention: By using conversion exits, errors caused by incorrect data formats are minimized, ensuring smooth data processing.
ABAP conversion exit functions are a vital part of SAP’s data handling, ensuring that data entered into or retrieved from SAP systems is consistently formatted. Whether it is converting dates, numbers, currency values or custom fields, conversion exits help improve the quality of the data and the overall user experience. As an ABAP developer, mastering conversion exits is essential for efficient data management and ensuring the proper functioning of SAP applications. By understanding how to implement and use conversion exits, you can effectively manage data formats, prevent errors and enhance both backend processes and frontend user interactions in your SAP systems.
Author : Aniket Pawar, 9373518385
