Edit Standard Characteristics

[Former Member]

Dear Team,

I have few standard characteristics ( e.g. SAP_EHS_1013_018_VALUE_NS) of which the data type wanted to change from CHAR to NUM. but while trying to edit the characteristics getting below  message

I know that, SAP does not recommend to edit any standard class or characteristics and recommend to make a copy of it e.g. ZSAP_EHS_1013_018_VALUE_NS but the problem is that, as soon as we make a copy of it to custom Z then ERC (CLEO) update will NOT apply the updates to these custom characteristics so does not want to go for this option.

is there any way by which we can edit the standard Characteristics.

Please note I have already removed this characteristics from class so this characteristics is not in use as of now.

Kindly Advise.

Thanking You,

Regards

Amol

[christoph_bergemann]

Dear Amol

I have some "doubts" regarding what you would like to achieve.

"I know that, SAP does not recommend to edit any standard class or characteristics and recommend to make a copy of it e.g. ZSAP_EHS_1013_018_VALUE_NS but the problem is that, as soon as we make a copy of it to custom Z then ERC (CLEO) update will NOT apply the updates to these custom characteristics so does not want to go for this option."

If you stay with SAP definition as it is you will get the "CLEO" content (now Regulatory Content is the right name). I have some doubts that the upload will work if you change the definition of the characteristic and you need to keep in mind that may be you have to adapt report symbol or layouts as well.  And if you use rule sets as part of "Regulatory content" it might be an additional season not to change that.

These are the approaches used more often (check this FORUM; similar discussion tooks place as well)

1.) add the new "Z" charateristic to SAP class (not recommended but if you know what your are doing it is an option)

2.) Prepare the whole as a "Z" one starting from property tree, VAT definition, Class etc. and prepare an "User exit" (or use other options to transfer the data) which reads the data on "SAP" original class and transfer the result into "Z" one. Preferred solution as you can use SAP original; you can map data and you can "redefine" the characteristic. This options is the most robust one (and clearly having the highest amount of time needed and takes more time in data change management)

Method explained by Soumya should be used only if really needed (as you need to do the same in normally three systems (dev, qual, and prod) and if you distribute data using ALE it is a bad idea to use option 1.) as you need to take care regarding adaption in target system as well.

I know that SAP is "adapting" their class structures etc. from time to time so that sometimes the SAP original charcateristic might get changed to the data structure you are looking for (I did not follow that approach in the last years; but you need some "mapping" after that).

C.B.

PS: by removing the characteristic from SAP class "in theory" you have done a "modification". here the same is true: if you use ALE: you need to check your target system definition as well or you will get problems.

[Former Member]

Why don't you try debugging CABN with the standard characteristic and save your entry?