Search helps are a valuable feature that enhances user experience by simplifying data retrieval. They provide a user-friendly way to find and select data from large datasets. Understanding the different types of search helps and knowing how to create them is essential for developing efficient and intuitive applications. This blog post delves into the types of search helps and outlines the steps to create them.

Understanding Search Helps

Search helps are used to provide a search function for fields where users need to select data. They help users find and select values from a list or perform complex searches. There are two main types of search helps:

1. Elementary Search Help

An elementary search help is a basic search help that provides a straightforward search functionality. It allows users to search for data based on a single selection criterion.

Example: An elementary search help might be used to find customers by their ID.

2. Collective Search Help

A collective search help combines multiple elementary search helps into a single search help. It allows users to choose from various search options and can provide a more comprehensive search experience.

Example: A collective search help might include search helps for customers, vendors, and employees, allowing users to search across different types of entities from a single interface.

Steps to Create Search Helps

Creating search helps involves several steps, from defining the search help to configuring its parameters. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating both elementary and collective search helps in the ABAP Dictionary.

 Step 1: Define the Elementary Search Help

1. Access the ABAP Dictionary

  Go to the ABAP Dictionary by entering transaction code `SE11` in the SAP GUI.

2. Create a New Search Help

  – Choose the “Search Help” option from the object type selection.

  – Enter a name for your search help and click “Create.”

3. Define the Search Help Type

 – Choose “Elementary” as the search help type.

  – Enter a short description for the search help.

4. Specify Selection Criteria

– Define the selection criteria that will be used for the search.

 – Specify the fields that will be displayed in the search help.

5. Set Up the Selection Screen

 – Define the fields that users will use to search for data.

 – Configure how results will be displayed in the search help.

6. Save and Activate

 – Save your entries and activate the search help.

Step 2: Define the Collective Search Help

1. Access the ABAP Dictionary

   Return to the ABAP Dictionary by using transaction code `SE11`.

2. Create a New Collective Search Help

– Choose the “Search Help” option.

– Enter a name for your collective search help and click “Create.”

3. Define the Search Help Type

– Choose “Collective” as the search help type.

 – Enter a short description for the collective search help.

4. Add Elementary Search Helps

 – Go to the “Collective Search Help” tab.

  – Add the elementary search helps that you want to include.

5. Configure Parameters

– Specify the parameters for each elementary search help.

 – Define how users will choose between different search options.

6. Save and Activate

 – Save your entries and activate the collective search help.

Example: Creating an Elementary Search Help

Let’s walk through an example of creating an elementary search help for finding customers by their ID.

1. Access Transaction SE11

 Enter ‘SE11’ in the SAP GUI and choose “Search Help.”

2. Create Search Help

 – Enter ‘ZCUSTOMER_ID_HELP’ as the name.

  – Click “Create” and select “Elementary” as the type.

3. Define Selection Criteria

 – Enter ‘CUSTOMER_ID’ as the selection field.

 – Specify that this field should be used for searching.

4. Set Up the Selection Screen

 – Configure how ‘CUSTOMER_ID’ will be displayed in the search help.

5. Save and Activate

– Save and activate the search help.

Example: Creating a Collective Search Help

Now let’s create a collective search help that combines search helps for customers and vendors.

1. Access Transaction SE11

   Open ‘SE11’ and choose “Search Help.”

2. Create Collective Search Help

 – Enter ‘ZENTITY_SEARCH_HELP’ as the name.

– Click “Create” and select “Collective” as the type.

3. Add Elementary Search Helps

 – Add ‘ZCUSTOMER_ID_HELP’ and ‘ZVENDOR_ID_HELP’.

4. Configure Parameters

– Set up parameters to allow users to select between customers and vendors.

5. Save and Activate

 – Save and activate the collective search help.