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SAP Idoc
MARCH 2012

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

What is Idoc?
Idoc

is Intermediate Document

Idoc

is data container used to exchange information

between any two processes that can understand the syntax
and semantics of data

Idocs

are stored in database table

Every

Idoc has an unique number ( within a client)

Idocs

are independent of the sending and receiving

systems. (SAP-to SAP as well as non SAP)

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

Idoc structure

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All IDocs are created according
to specific rules: Special rules
affect the differentIDoctypes
A segment comprisessegment
fieldsas the smallest unit of
the Idoc
Idocs containadministration
informationfor technical
processing, as well as the
actual application data, which
is stored insegments.
The processing status is stored
in the IDocstatus information

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Idoc structure (cont)

The

basic type is the IDoc

type supplied with the
standard SAP System, that
is, the type to be extended.

Customer

extensions are
created by defining new
segments and appending
them as children of existing
segments of the basic type

The

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new segments (and

extension) must be within
the customer namespace.
SAP segment names start
with "E1

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

Components of IDoc
Segments

define the format and structure of a data record.

is reusable component.

should have type, definition and documentation

Transaction WE31 development Idoc segment

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

Runtime components

Control records

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contains the key of the information like destination,

Idoc type, message type, port and sender
information.
is stored in EDIDC table.

Data records

contains two administrative sections (consists of

Idoc number, version, segment hierarchy) and data
sections( contains the data of respective segment).
is stored in EDI_DD40 table and EDI_DD.

Status records

is attached to an Idoc at every milestone or when it

encounter errors.
is stored in EDID8 table

2011 Infosys Limited

Idoc display ( transaction

we05)

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

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Idoc process
The two available process for Idocs are
outbound and inbound

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sending out the data

from our system
an Idoc is created,
when we execute
outbound process,

receiving data in our system

an Idoc serves as input to

create an application
document, in inbound
process,

direction key -1

direction key -

Idoc status from

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1 to

Idoc

status from

50 to 75

Idoc process in EDI

system
EDI - Electronic Data Interchange, is the electronic exchange
of structured business data between different applications

outbound process
1. The application document is created
such as a purchase order, sales
order or billing order

inbound
process
5. The application document can be
viewed.

2. The IDoc is generated

3. The IDoc is transferred from SAP to
the operating system layer
4. The IDoc is converted to EDI
standards
5. The EDI document is transmitted to
the business partner
6. The EDI subsystem reports status to
SAP

4. The application document is

created, such as a sales order,
purchase order
acknowledgment, invoice, or
shipment notice.
3. The IDoc is transferred to the
SAP layer
2. The EDI document is converted
into an Idoc
1. The EDI transmission is received

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

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Outbound process
Steps involved
Create

segments(WE31)

Create

an Idoc type(WE30)

Create

a message type (WE81)

Assign

a message type to Idoc type(WE82)

Create

a port (WE21)

If

you are going to use the message control method to trigger

Idocs then create the function module for creating the Idoc and
associate the function module to an outbound process code

Otherwise

create the function module or stand alone program

which will create the Idoc

Create

a partner profile (WE20).

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

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Inbound process
Steps InvolvedCreation

of basic Idoc type (Transaction WE30)

Creating

message type (Transaction WE81)

Assign

the message type to basic Idoc type (Transaction

WE82)
Create

the function module for processing the idoc

Define

the function module characteristics (BD51)

Allocate

the inbound function module to the message

type(WE57)

Defining

process code (Transaction WE42)

Creation

of partner profile (Transaction WE20)

Agenda

Definition of Idoc

Idoc structure

Components of Idoc

Runtime components

Idoc process

Outbound process

Inbound process

Related terms to Idoc process

2011 Infosys Limited

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Message type
A

message represents a specific type of document that is

transmitted between two partners. For ex: Orders, orders
responses, invoices etc

An

Idoc type can be associated with many message types

Also

a message type can be associated with different Idoc types.

TransactionWE81-

Message 1

Idoc type 1

(create message type)

Message 2

Idoc type 2

Message 3

Idoc type 3

Message Control
Message

control is a crossapplication
technology.
Message

control is used in pricing,

account determination, material
determination, and output
determination.
The

message control component

enables you to encapsulate business
rules with out having to write abap
program.
In

the EDI process, Message control

determines and processes the various
outputs associated with an application
document (for example, EDI, printed
output, fax, confirmation, and mail)

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Process code
Process

code identifies the type

of data processing.

The

Idoc interface uses the

process code to determine the
application selection module
which converts the SAP
document into an Idoc.

Transaction

WE41

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Function module
Function

modules are procedures that are defined in

special ABAP programs only, so-called function groups

Function

modules allow you to encapsulate and reuse

global functions in the SAP System.
Process code
Function
module

Partner

Partner profile
A

partner is defined as a
business partner with
whom you conduct
business and exchange
documents

In

the partner profile of a

partner that we
exchange Idocs with, we
maintain the parameters
that are necessary for
exchanging the data.

The

transaction used
isWE20.

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