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© Copyright 1998 SAP AG. All rights reserved.
No part of this brochure may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without
the express permission of SAP AG. The information contained herein may be changed without
prior notice.
SAP AG further does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics,
links, or other items contained within these materials. SAP AG shall not be liable for any special,
indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, lost revenues or lost
profits, which may result from the use of these materials. The information in this documentation is
subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of SAP AG for
the future.
Some software products marketed by SAP AG and its distributors contain proprietary software
components of other software vendors.
Microsoft®, WINDOWS®, NT®, EXCEL® and SQL-Server® are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
IBM®, DB2®, OS/2®, DB2/6000®, Parallel Sysplex®, MVS/ESA®, RS/6000®, AIX®, S/390®,
AS/400®, OS/390®, and OS/400® are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation.
OSF/Motif® is a registered trademark of Open Software Foundation.
ORACLE® is a registered trademark of ORACLE Corporation, California, USA.
INFORMIX®-OnLine IRU6$3 is a registered trademark of Informix Software Incorporated.
UNIX® and X/Open® are registered trademarks of SCO Santa Cruz Operation.
ADABAS® is a registered trademark of Software AG.
SAP®, R/2®, R/3®, RIVA®, ABAP/4®, SAP ArchiveLink®, SAPaccess®, SAPmail®,
SAPoffice®, SAP-EDI®, R/3 Retail®, SAP EarlyWatch®, SAP Business Workflow®, ALE/WEB,
Team SAP, BAPI, Management Cockpit are registered or unregistered trademarks of SAP
AG.

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Naming Conventions ................................................................................................................11
Basic Data ................................................................................................................................12
Data Type NUM...................................................................................................................15
Data Type CHAR................................................................................................................. 17
Data Type TIME/DATE........................................................................................................18
Data Type CURR ................................................................................................................19
Value Assignment.....................................................................................................................20
Entering Descriptions and Documentation for a Characteristic................................................22
Defining Allowed Values: Entering Individual Values...............................................................23
Entering Descriptions and Documentation for Values ........................................................24
Linking Documents to a Characteristic value ......................................................................26
Defining Allowed Values: Entering Intervals.............................................................................27
Defining Allowed Values: Entering a Value Hierarchy .............................................................28
Defining Allowed Values: Entering a Check Table...................................................................30
Defining Allowed Values: Entering a Function Module ............................................................31
Interface for Function Modules............................................................................................32
Interface Control .......................................................................................................................33
Linking Documents to a Characteristic.....................................................................................34
Restricting a Characteristic to Class Types..............................................................................35
Classifying a Characteristic ......................................................................................................36
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Dependencies for Characteristics ............................................................................................46
Object Dependencies for Characteristic Values.......................................................................47
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This section describes how to work with characteristics.

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You use characteristics in the R/3 classification system to describe the properties of objects. You
use the values of a characteristic to specify these properties.

Characteristic &RORU has the values ’red’, ’green’, and ’blue’. When you classify an
object, you use this characteristic to specify the color of the object.
You create characteristics centrally, then assign them to classes. When you assign a
characteristic to a class, you can adapt (overwrite) the characteristic.
When you allocate objects to a class, you assign values to the characteristics.
You can use characteristics in other R/3 applications, as well as the classification system.
Characteristics serve different purposes in different applications (see Integration of
Characteristics in the R/3 System).

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Characteristics are used in the following application areas:
• PP-PI - Process Industries: to describe the PI-PCS interface in the process control
station
• QM - Quality Management:
− To transfer inspection values to batch classification. (The characteristics in the
classification system are referred to as "general characteristics" in Quality
Management.)
− To produce quality certificates
• EHS - Environment Data: to describe the properties of substances
• PP-CAP: in formulas for determining standard values
• LO - batches: substance processing
• MM - purchasing: in the procedure for releasing purchase orders and purchasing
documents with classification
• LO - variant configuration: to configure complex products
• CA - classification system:
− For classification: to describe the properties of the objects you classify
− For finding objects: as search criteria for finding objects that have been classified

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When you create or change a characteristic, you can define the following settings:
• Format
For example, numeric format is for figures, and character format is for alphanumeric
characters.

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• Unit of measure for numeric values

• Templates for entering values
• Required entry for characteristic
• Whether intervals are allowed as values
• Language-dependent descriptions and texts for characteristics and characteristic
values
• Display options for characteristics on the value assignment screen
• Allowed values
• Default values that are set automatically on the value assignment screen
To describe how characteristics and characteristic values in classification influence each other,
you can use allocate dependencies to them.

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To create a characteristic:
1. From the classification menu, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→&UHDWH
You see the initial screen for creating a characteristic.
On the initial screen, you see that a characteristic is divided up into blocks of data,
each with its own screen.
– Select the blocks that you want to process for the characteristic.
– To save this selection of blocks, choose ([WUDV→+ROGEORFN
You must process the basic data screen when you create a characteristic.
2. Enter your data on the initial screen:
– In the &KDUDFWHULVWLF field, enter a name for your characteristic. Use the naming
conventions [Page 11] for characteristic names.
– If you want the characteristic to be valid from a certain date in the future, enter a
change number. For more information, see Engineering Change Management for
a Characteristic [Page 38].
Confirm your entries.
3. You see the basic data screen, where you can enter the most important control data
for your characteristic. For more information, see Basic Data [Page 12].
4. Once you have entered your data on the %DVLFGDWD screen, you can save your
characteristic. The other screens of a characteristic are optional.

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Use the following naming conventions for characteristics. These naming conventions allow you to
use your characteristics in dependencies.
• Only use letters from A - Z, figures from 0 - 9, and the underscore character
• The first character must be a letter
• Do not use umlauts or accents
• Characteristic names are not case sensitive
• You can use hyphens, but we advise you not to

As of Release 3.0, you can no longer use characteristics with a hyphen in their
names in object dependencies. This is because a hyphen is also used as a minus
sign in arithmetical expressions. However, this only applies to the characteristics
you create as of Release 3.0.
If you created characteristics with a hyphen in their names before Release 3.0:
• If you do not change the dependencies in which the characteristic is used, you do not
need to change the characteristic name.
• However, if you want to create a new dependency referring to the characteristic, or if
you want to change an existing dependency referring to the characteristic, the
characteristic name with a hyphen is no longer accepted. However, you can use the
special key SKEY to refer to the characteristic. You enter the characteristic name in
single quote marks:
− SKEY ’EXT-COLOR’

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You enter the most important characteristics data on the basic data screen.
This screen contains the following fields for describing the characteristic:

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This field contains the characteristic name that you entered on the initial screen.

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This field contains a language-dependent description of the characteristic.

You must enter a description for your characteristic before you can leave the
basic data screen.

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You can group characteristics together by entering a characteristics group in the &KDUVJURXS
field. You can define characteristics groups in Customizing for &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ&RPSRQHQWV
under &ODVVLILFDWLRQ6\VWHP→&KDUDFWHULVWLFV→'HILQHFKDUDFWHULVWLFVJURXSV You can display
a list of existing characteristics groups and select one.
You can use the characteristics group to help you to find characteristics with a matchcode. For
example, you can display a list of all characteristics in characteristics group BOLTS.

6WDWXV
The 6WDWXV field shows which applications you can use the characteristic in, such as the
classification of objects.
• You can only assign ,QSUHSDUDWLRQstatus when you first create a characteristic. You
cannot use a characteristic with ,QSUHSDUDWLRQ status in a class.
• You cannot use a characteristic with /RFNHGstatus in a class. However, if you have
used a characteristic in a class, and then set /RFNHG status for the characteristic, this
does not affect the characteristic in the class.
• You can use a characteristic with 5HOHDVHGstatus in classes.
You define statuses for characteristics in Customizing for &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ&RPSRQHQWV under
&ODVVLILFDWLRQ6\VWHP → &KDUDFWHULVWLFV→ 'HILQHFKDUDFWHULVWLFVWDWXVHV. You also define which
status is displayed as a default when you create a characteristic in the Customizing for &URVV
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In this dataset, you enter the data type of a characteristic. The data type of the characteristic
defines which values you can enter for the characteristic. The following data types are supported:
Data Type CHAR [Page 17]
describes a characteristic with alphanumeric format. An alphanumeric field can
contain both figures and letters, as well as some special characters.
Data Type NUM [Page 15]

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describes a characteristic with numeric format. A numeric field can contain figures
only.
Data Type TIME/DATE [Page 18]
Time format/date format.
Data Type CURR [Page 19]
Currency format.
Introduction to User-Defined Data Type [Page 57]
This data type is a fixed link between the characteristic and a class. Instead of a
format, you enter a class of class type  8VHUGHILQHGGDWDW\SH as the data type.
This allows you to group the characteristics of the class together to form a superior
characteristic.

The 'DWDW\SH field is a required entry field. You must enter a valid format or data
type in this field before you can go to the next screen.
If you define a characteristic as having numeric format, you see an additional field on the screen.
This field is called ,QWHUYDOYDOVDOORZHG

,QWHUYDOYDOVDOORZHG
In this field, you define whether you are allowed to assign interval values to a numeric
characteristic.

You can only assign interval values to multiple-value characteristics, because the
system interprets an interval as a set of individual values. If you try to assign an
interval value to a characteristic that is not a multiple-value characteristic, the
system does not accept your entry.
If you select this indicator, the 8QIRUPDWWHGHQWU\ indicator on the interface control screen is set
automatically, because the length of an interval entry cannot conform to the format defined.

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To make values for this characteristic a required entry, select this field. To make values for this
characteristic an optional entry, deselect this field.
Characteristics with this indicator are referred to as required characteristics.

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You select these indicators, which show whether you can enter only one value or more than one
value for a characteristic, when you define the characteristic format. The indicator you select then
applies wherever the characteristic is used. (For more information, see Value Assignment [Page
20]).

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In these 2 fields, you can define a 2-line column heading for lists of characteristic values.

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For example, the result of the find object function shows a list of characteristics. In this list, you
see the column headings you defined on the %DVLFGDWD screen of the characteristic.
The length of heading you can enter depends on the length of the characteristic value format.
However, a maximum of 30 characters per line of heading is allowed.

In lists, the column width for a characteristic is taken from either the characteristic
format or the length of the heading, whichever is the longer.
If you do not enter heading lines, the entries in these fields are automatically copied from the
description and format of the characteristic. However, check these entries.

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If you want to enter numeric values, you select this data type. You can define the following format
settings for data type NUM:
• Length of the characteristic value
A numeric value can be up to 15 digits long.
You can enter the total length of the characteristic value and the number of decimal
places. The decimal places are subtracted from the total length of the characteristic
value. The decimal point is not counted as a character.
The system automatically produces a template (with a separator for thousands) from
your entries.
• Templates
In Customizing for &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ&RPSRQHQWV under &ODVVLILFDWLRQ6\VWHP→
&KDUDFWHULVWLFV→'HILQHWHPSODWHV you can define templates for characteristic
values. You can then select a template when you define the formatting data of a
characteristic. If you select a template, the system copies the formatting data, such as
the number of characters and the unit of measure, from the template.
When you assign values to the characteristics, the values you assign must match the
template.
• Exponents
The exponents convert the characteristic values to powers of 10.
− Standard: 1,... E-xx
Sets the values you enter according to the template _.___ (1 digit before and 3
digits after the decimal point). For example:
1000 = 1.000E+03
100 = 1.000E+02
0.001 = 1.000E-03

The system sets the number of characters for this type of exponent. Any entry
you make is overwritten.
− User-defined exponent
Values are converted to the exponent you enter. For example:
E+05
100000 = 1.000E+05
100 = 0.001E+05
− Scientific format exponent
Exponents that can be divided by 3 to show, for example, milli, micro, kilo, mega,
or giga. For example:
10000 Megawatt = 10.000E+03 MW

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• Negative values
You can define whether negative values are allowed for the characteristic.
• Unit of measure
You can enter a unit for the values of a characteristic.
When you assign characteristic values to an object, you can only enter a different unit
if values in the unit you want to enter can be converted to the unit defined in the
characteristic. Only units that have the same dimension (for example, length or
volume) can be converted to each other.
For example, the units MM, CM, and M have the dimension length. If you define the
unit of measure CM for a characteristic, you can assign a value in MM or M, instead
of CM, to an object. The units are converted automatically by the system.
Units of measure without a dimension, such as ’piece’, cannot be converted to other
units.
You maintain units of measure in Customizing for *OREDOVHWWLQJVunder &KHFNXQLWV
RIPHDVXUHPHQW

You cannot change the unit of measure once you have either defined allowed
values for a characteristic or assigned values to the characteristic to classify an
object.

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If you want to enter alphanumeric values for a characteristic, select this data type. You can define
the following format settings for data type CHAR:
• Length of the characteristic value
An alphanumeric value can be up to 30 digits long.
• Templates
If you choose CHAR format for your characteristic, you can define the length of the
values by entering a template. This allows you to determine that values for this
characteristic must be entered in a specific form. You can define templates in
Customizing for &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ&RPSRQHQWV under &ODVVLILFDWLRQ6\VWHP→
&KDUDFWHULVWLFV→'HILQHWHPSODWHV
If you select a template, the system copies the number of characters from the
template.
• Case sensitive
You can also define whether values are case sensitive or whether all letters are
automatically converted to upper case.

• If you select the &DVHVHQVLWLYH indicator, the values ABC and abc are not
identical.
• If you do not select the &DVHVHQVLWLYH indicator, the value abc is
automatically converted to ABC.

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If you choose DATE or TIME format for your characteristic, you do not automatically see the
dialog box for format data.
To display the format data for these data types, choose ([WUDV→)RUPDW
When you enter data type DATE or TIME, the system automatically finds a template for entering
a date or a time. Any values you enter are automatically formatted according to this template.

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DATE: 010199 01/01/1999
TIME: 2045 20:45:21

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You can enter an interval as an allowed value set. For example:
01/01/1997 - 12/31/1999
You can define that intervals are allowed as values

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If you choose data type CURR, you can enter the following data:
• A currency value can be up to 15 digits long.
You can change the number of places before the decimal point. However, you cannot
change the number of places after the decimal point. The system automatically
produces a template for entering the currency you select. You cannot change this
template.
• If you choose data type CURR (currency) for your characteristic, you must enter a
currency. You can use the possible entries function to display the currencies that are
defined in your R/3 System.

The system cannot convert a value entered in one currency format to another
currency format.
• You can define whether negative values are allowed for the characteristic
• You can define the allowed value set as an interval
• You can define that intervals are allowed as values

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In the formatting data for value assignment, you define whether a characteristic is single-value,
multiple-value, or restrictable.

You cannot change the value assignment indicator once you have set it. The
indicator you select then applies wherever the characteristic is used.
• Single-value
You can enter exactly one value for the characteristic.
• Multiple values
You can enter more than one value for the characteristic.
• Restrictable
This indicator is only relevant to variant configuration.
When you configure an object, the allowed value set of restrictable characteristics can
be restricted dynamically. This means that you can only assign a value from the
restricted value set to your configurable object.
For more information on using restrictable characteristics, see the R/3 Library under
/RJLVWLFV*HQHUDO /29DULDQW&RQILJXUDWLRQ

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7KH6LQJOHYDOXHLQGLFDWRUGRHVQRWDSSO\ZKHQ\RXDUHVHWWLQJXSDFODVVKLHUDUFK\ This
indicator only takes effect when you allocate an object that is not a node to a class.
• When you allocate classes to classes, you can enter several values for a single-value
characteristic. This allows you to systematically restrict the value set from level to
level down the hierarchy. You are only limited to entering a single value when you
allocate an object to a class.

For example, characteristic :LGWK is defined as a single-value characteristic.

However, if you use the characteristic in a class and allocate another class to
your class, you can still enter several values for the characteristic, because the
single-value attribute of a characteristic does not apply to allocations between
classes. You can then restrict the values further on a lower level of the hierarchy.
However, as soon as you allocate an object that is not a class to one of your
classes, you must set one value only.
• However, in some cases, an object other than a class may be a node. This means
that the object is treated as a class in allocation functions, so the 6LQJOHYDOXH
indicator does not apply.

In a class of class type  for batches, you can classify both materials and
batches. In Customizing for &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ&RPSRQHQWV under &ODVVLILFDWLRQ

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6\VWHP You use the 6RUWSRVLWLRQ field to define that batches inherit their
classification from materials. In this case, a material is a node, so the single-value
attribute of a characteristic does not apply.
For more information on class hierarchies, see the R/3 Library under &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ
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1. Choose *RWR →'HVFULSWLRQVfrom any screen of a characteristic.
On the descriptions screen, you can enter descriptions of the characteristic in several
languages.
The description and headings in the logon language are automatically copied from the
basic data screen.
2. Enter the languages in which you want to enter descriptions and headings.
On the characteristic value assignment screen, you see the characteristic description
in your logon language. If there is no characteristic description in your logon
language, you see the language-independent characteristic name.

/DQJXDJH'HSHQGHQW'RFXPHQWDWLRQ
1. Select the line containing the language in which you want to enter documentation.
2. Choose Edit →Documentation.
You see the text editor, where you can enter your text.
3. Save your text, and return to the descriptions screen.
On the characteristic value assignment screen, you can display the documentation on a
characteristic by displaying the possible entries.

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You can define a list of allowed values for a characteristic. You can then select one of these
values when you classify an object.
1. Choose *RWR→$OORZHGYDOXHV
You see the $OORZHG9DOXHVscreen.
2. Enter values in the entry fields. Enter each value in a separate field.
The values must match the format that you defined on the %DVLF'DWD screen. You
can enter up to the number of characters that you defined in the format.
3. If your characteristic is an alphanumeric characteristic, enter a language-dependent
value description. You can enter up to 30 characters.
You cannot enter a language-dependent description for numeric values.
4. To see other screens of the characteristic, choose *RWR→QDPHRIVFUHHQ!If you
do not want to enter data on other screens, save your characteristic.

'HIDXOWYDOXHV
You can define one value in the value set as a default value. This value then appears as a
default in characteristic value assignment functions. You can either accept the value or select
another value.
To define one value in the value set as a default value, select column '.

$GGLWLRQDOYDOXHV
If required, you can use the value set you define as possible entries, but still allow other values
for your characteristic. This means that you can assign values that are not in the value set in
characteristic value assignment functions.
To do this, select the $GGLWLRQDOYDOXHV indicator.

6RUWLQJYDOXHV
To sort characteristic values, choose (GLW→0RUHIXQFWLRQV→VRUWDVFHQGLQJGHVFHQGLQJ!

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For characteristics in CHAR format, you can enter descriptions of individual values in several
languages. You cannot do this for characteristics in NUM, TIME, DATE, and CURR format.

Documentation for characteristics and characteristic values is not subject to

engineering change management. Your changes are valid with immediate effect.
Changes to language-dependent descriptions are subject to engineering change
management.
You have the following options for entering language-dependent descriptions:

(QWHULQJDGHVFULSWLRQIRUHDFKYDOXHLQGLYLGXDOO\
1. Select the value.
2. Choose (GLW →0RUHIXQFWLRQV→9DOGHVFULSWLRQV
You see a dialog box in which you can enter a description in different languages and
save documentation.

(QWHULQJGHVFULSWLRQVIRUDOOYDOXHV
1. On the allowed values screen, choose ([WUDV→&KDQJHODQJXDJH
2. You see a dialog box in which you select a language.
3. Confirm your entry.
4. You can then enter value descriptions in this language.
You can define a source language for translating descriptions.
a) Choose Extras →More functions →Copy from val. desc.
b) You see a dialog box in which you enter the language that you want to copy and
use as a source language for translation. Confirm your entry.
c) The descriptions in the language you chose are displayed for you to translate.
On the characteristic value assignment screen, you see the value description in your logon
language. If there is no value description in your logon language, you see the language-
independent value.

(QWHULQJ'RFXPHQWDWLRQ
For values in CHAR or NUM format, you can define language-dependent documentation.
1. On the allowed values screen, choose ([WUDV→&KDQJHODQJXDJHEnter the
language in which you want to write documentation.
2. Select the value and choose (GLW→'RFXPHQWDWLRQ
3. You see the text editor, where you can enter your documentation.
4. Save your documentation on the characteristic value.
On the characteristic value assignment screen, you can display the documentation on a value by
displaying the possible entries.

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You can link documents, such as drawings or brochures, to a value. This allows you to describe
the value in more detail. Before you can link a document to a characteristic, you must create a
document info record in the document management system.
1. Place the cursor on the value and choose ([WUDV→ 'RFXPHQW→ )RUYDOXH
2. You see a dialog box. Enter the document key.
Once you have linked a document to a value, you can display the document on the characteristic
value assignment screen.

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'HILQLQJ$OORZHG9DOXHV(QWHULQJ,QWHUYDOV

'HILQLQJ$OORZHG9DOXHV(QWHULQJ,QWHUYDOV
You can enter intervals for numeric characteristics. This includes characteristics with TIME,
DATE, and CURR format.
1. Choose *RWR→$OORZHGYDOXHV
You see the $OORZHG9DOXHVscreen.
2. Enter the interval that is valid for the characteristic.
– Always enter intervals in the following format:
lower limit <blank> - <blank> upper limit
You must enter a blank (space character) between the hyphen and both the
upper and lower limits, because otherwise the system reads the hyphen as a
minus sign.
8VH25 - 50
Do not use: 25-50
– The following entries are also allowed:
< 100
< = 100
> 100
>= 100
100 -< 200
– You can also use a combination of intervals and constants.
3. To see other screens of the characteristic, choose *RWR→QDPHRIVFUHHQ!If you
do not want to enter data on other screens, save your characteristic.

$GGLWLRQDOYDOXHV
If required, you can use the value set you define as possible entries, but still allow other values
for your characteristic. This means that you can assign values that are not in the value set in
characteristic value assignment functions.
To do this, select the $GGLWLRQDOYDOXHV indicator.

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'HILQLQJ$OORZHG9DOXHV(QWHULQJD9DOXH+LHUDUFK\

'HILQLQJ$OORZHG9DOXHV(QWHULQJD9DOXH+LHUDUFK\
You can use a value hierarchy to structure characteristic values with CHAR format. This makes it
easier for you to find a specific characteristic value.

A range of countries of origin of a product are entered as allowed values for the
characteristic &RXQWU\. You structure these countries by arranging them according
to regions or continents. You assign countries in Asia to a value group called
$VLD. When you want to select a country in Asia as a characteristic value, you can
limit your search to the value group $VLD.
When you create a value hierarchy:
• Each value can occur only once in a value hierarchy
• You can only create a value hierarchy for characteristics with CHAR format
• If a value has a value hierarchy, you see the 6 indicator for subordinate values

Do not set up a value hierarchy for restrictable characteristics, because value

hierarchies cannot be restricted dynamically.
You have the following options for setting up a value hierarchy:
• You can define subordinate values for a value
• You can define a superior value to summarize 2 or more values

'HILQLQJVXERUGLQDWHYDOXHV
1. Place the cursor on the value for which you want to create a value hierarchy.
2. Choose (GLW→9DOXHKLHUDUFK\→6XERUGLQDWHYDOXHV
3. You see a dialog box in which you can enter subordinate values.
4. If you want to divide up a subordinate value, place the cursor on the value and
choose 6XERUGLQDWHYDOXHV

You can create any number of levels in your hierarchy.

6XPPDUL]LQJYDOXHV
1. Select the values you want to summarize.
2. Choose (GLW→9DOXHKLHUDUFK\→6XPPDUL]HYDOXHV
3. You see a dialog box in which you can enter a superior value.
4. You can summarize values on any level of your hierarchy.
On the characteristic value assignment screen, you see values that have a value hierarchy as a
tree structure. If you select the top value, you see the next hierarchy level.

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To display a value hierarchy, choose +LHUDUFK\
• You can navigate up or down a hierarchy by choosing &ROODSVH and ([SDQG
• You have the option of displaying only a section of a value hierarchy.
− Select the node from which you want to display the hierarchy, and choose 0DUN
EORFN
− You see the hierarchy from the node you selected.
− Above the section of the hierarchy, you see the path that leads to the node you
selected. By selecting a node in the path, you can navigate up one or more levels
of the hierarchy, or display the entire hierarchy again.

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'HILQLQJ$OORZHG9DOXHV(QWHULQJD&KHFN7DEOH

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You can use a table to check the allowed values of a characteristic. If you enter a check table in
the characteristic, any values you assign to the characteristic must match entries in the table.

%HIRUH\RXHQWHUDFKHFNWDEOH
The table can contain one key field and can contain the client, if required. Tables that are defined
differently are not accepted as check tables.

3URFHGXUH
1. Choose *RWR→$OORZHGYDOXHV
You see the $OORZHG9DOXHVscreen.
2. Choose 2WKHUYDOXHFKHFN Select value check strategy &KHFNWDEOH and confirm.
3. Enter the name of the check table.
The format of the table entries must be the same as the format of the characteristic.
4. To see other screens of the characteristic, choose *RWR→QDPHRIVFUHHQ!If you
do not want to enter data on other screens, save your characteristic.

If you use a check table to check values, only data that is stored in database
tables is used in the check. If the value set is restricted due to inheritance or
dependencies while you are classifying an object, these restrictions are not
checked.

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On the allowed values screen in characteristics maintenance functions, you can enter the name
of a function module for checking the values you enter when you classify an object.

%HIRUH\RXHQWHUDIXQFWLRQPRGXOH
First, create the function module in the $%$3:RUNEHQFK
The program code must be based on the standard interfaces. If the function modules you create
have different interfaces, the program may terminate with a short dump.
For more information, see Interface for Function Modules [Page 32].
When you create your function module:
• The function module can be created in any function group
• The name of the function module cannot contain more than 27 characters
The length of the name is restricted so that another function module name can be
inferred for the possible entries function on the value assignment screen.
• You must define your own function module for displaying possible entries for the
characteristic values. You create this function module in addition to the function
module for checking values. The name of this function module is made up of the
name of the function module for checking values, followed by ’_F4’. In this function
module, you specify the allowed values, so that you can display them.
See the function modules of function group SHL3 (for example, function module
HELP_VALUES_GET_WITH_TABLE_EXT) to see how to display possible entries.
For more information on these function modules, please refer to the online function
module documentation.

3URFHGXUH
1. Choose *RWR→$OORZHGYDOXHV
You see the $OORZHG9DOXHVscreen.
2. Choose 2WKHUYDOXHFKHFN Select value check strategy )XQFWPRGXOH and confirm.
3. Enter the name of the function module in the )XQFWLRQ field.
4. To see other screens of the characteristic, choose *RWR→QDPHRIVFUHHQ!If you
do not want to enter data on other screens, save your characteristic.

5HVXOW
When you assign values to your characteristic, the function module checks whether the value
you enter is allowed. If you defined a function module for displaying possible entries, you can
display the possible values and select one.

Any restrictions of the value set that arise from inheritance or dependencies when
you classify an object are ignored, because the function module can only access
data that is stored in database tables. This means that current user entries are
ignored in the check.

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The standard interface for function modules for checking values is as follows:

,PSRUWSDUDPHWHUV

CHARACT_NO LIKE CABN-ATINN Internal characteristic number

CHARACT LIKE CABN-ATNAM Characteristic name
VALUE LIKE CAWN-ATWRT Value to be checked

([FHSWLRQV

NOT_FOUND Value not found

The function module for the possible entries function also has a standard interface:

,PSRUWSDUDPHWHUV

CHARACT_NO LIKE CABN-ATINN Internal characteristic number

CHARACT LIKE CABN-ATNAM Characteristic name
DISPLAY Only display values if DISPLAY = X
ADDITIONAL_VALUES LIKE CABN-ATSON Additional values allowed
If ADDITIONAL_VALUES = X, the
dialog box for possible entries must
contain an additional entry line
MULTIPLE_VALUES LIKE RCTMV-ATLIS Several values can be assigned
LANGUAGE LIKE SY-LANGU Language indicator
DISPLAY_WITH_LANGUAGE Display value with language-
dependent description

7DEOHV

VALUES LIKE RCTVALUES Selected value

This table contains the values assigned so far. Deleted
values have status D in the table. New values have status
I in the table.

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For each characteristic, you can define how the entry field looks in characteristic value
assignment functions.
To see the screen for entering indicators to define the user interface, choose *RWR→,QWHUIDFH
FRQWURO.
The screen is divided into a number of sections:

8VHUHQWU\KDQGOLQJ
• Unformatted entry
This indicator is set automatically if you allow interval values for a numeric
characteristic. The entry field for characteristic values is automatically extended to its
maximum length of 15 characters.
• Propose template
If you select the 3URSRVHWHPSODWH field, the template you defined for the
characteristic is displayed to help you enter values.

'LVSOD\DOORZHGYDOXHV
• Value assignment
You can decide whether the allowed values for the characteristic are displayed on the
characteristic value assignment screen. If you select the 9DOXHDVVLJQPHQW field, you
see all the allowed values on the value assignment screen, and can select one.

3URFHGXUHIRUYDOXHDVVLJQPHQW
• No entry can be made
You can use the 1RHQWU\FDQEHPDGH indicator to define whether you can assign a
value to the characteristic on the value assignment screen.
For example, if you want the characteristic value to be set by dependencies, not
assigned manually, select this field. This prevents you from entering a value
manually.
• Hidden
The +LGGHQ indicator means that the characteristic is not displayed in functions for
finding and classifying objects. You can display a hidden characteristic in the
characteristic value assignment function by choosing +LGGHQFKDUDFWHULVWLFV
For more information on displaying characteristics and values on the value assignment screen,
see the R/3 Library under &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ&RPSRQHQWV&$&ODVVLILFDWLRQ*XLGH

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On the $GGLWLRQDOGDWDscreen of a characteristic, you can link a document to a characteristic.
You can enter documents that illustrate a characteristic, such as drawings or photographs.
Before you can link a document to a characteristic, you must create a document info record in the
document management system.
1. Enter the document number and the document type that identify your document. If
you require a specific document part, enter the number of the document part. You can
also enter a document version. This data is part of the document info record.
2. When you assign values to the characteristic, you can display the document.
– Place the cursor on the characteristic for which you want to display a document.
– Choose ([WUDV→'RFXPHQW→ 'LVSOD\.

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5HVWULFWLQJD&KDUDFWHULVWLFWR&ODVV7\SHV

5HVWULFWLQJD&KDUDFWHULVWLFWR&ODVV7\SHV
If you only want your characteristic to be used for specific class types, you can enter these class
types on the 5HVWUWR&ODVV7\SHV screen.
To see this screen, choose *RWR→ 5HVWUWRFODVVW\SHV.
• If you enter class types here, you can only use the characteristic in classes of these
class types.
• If you do not enter any class types here, you can use the characteristic in classes of
any class type.

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On the &ODVVLILFDWLRQ screen of a characteristic, you can classify a characteristic in the same way
as you would classify any other classifiable object. This allows you to find suitable characteristics
more easily.
To classify a characteristic, choose *RWR→&ODVVLILFDWLRQ. The first time you call this function
after you log on, you need to select a class type. You then see a screen on which you enter the
classes for classifying your characteristic. In the standard system, class type 012 is defined for
characteristics.

If you want to classify a characteristic, you must use the &ODVVLILFDWLRQscreen of

the characteristic. You cannot use the allocation functions in the classification
menu to classify characteristics. This ensures that changes made with
engineering change management are consistent.
For more information about classifying objects, see R/3 Library under &URVV$SSOLFDWLRQ
&RPSRQHQWV &$&ODVVLILFDWLRQ*XLGH.

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&RS\LQJIURPDQ([LVWLQJ&KDUDFWHULVWLF
If you want to create a characteristic that is very similar to one that you have already created, you
can copy data in the existing characteristic to your new characteristic. This is what we mean by
copying from a characteristic.
To create a characteristic by copying from an existing characteristic:
1. From the classification menu, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→&UHDWH.
You see the initial screen for creating a characteristic.
2. Enter the following data on the initial screen:
– In the &KDUDFWHULVWLF field, enter a name for your new characteristic.
– If you want the characteristic to be valid from a certain date in the future, enter a
change number.
– In the &RS\IURPblock, enter the name of the characteristic that you want to
copy from. Enter a valid-from date for this characteristic if the characteristic is not
valid on today's date.
– Select the blocks for which you want to enter data. Confirm your entries.
3. You see a dialog box. In this dialog box, select the data you want to copy, for
example, allowed values and restrictions to class types. The basic data is copied
automatically. You can also select the languages you require. Select &RQWLQXH.
4. Check the basic data copied from the source characteristic. Change the description
and headings, if required.

You can either change the data you copied or leave it as it is. This applies to all
the data you copied.
5. Once you have entered or changed the data you require, save your characteristic.

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(QJLQHHULQJ&KDQJH0DQDJHPHQWIRUD&KDUDFWHULVWLF
You have two options for changing a characteristic:
• :LWKRXWHQJLQHHULQJFKDQJHPDQDJHPHQW
Your changes are valid with immediate effect. The status of the characteristic before
the change is not saved and you can no longer display it as it was.

You enter an allowed value for a characteristic. As soon as you save your
change, the characteristic has the new value. You can no longer display the
characteristic as it was.
• :LWKHQJLQHHULQJFKDQJHPDQDJHPHQW
If you enter a change number, you can define when the change is to take effect. The
status of the characteristic before and after the change is saved. Engineering change
management allows you to make changes on a specific date.
The status of the characteristic before and after the change is saved, so you can
display the status of the characteristic on any date.

You enter an allowed value for a characteristic using a change number. The
change number has the valid-from date 01/01/1999. This means that the change
is not valid until this date. If you display the characteristic on a date before
01/01/1999, the characteristic does not have the new value. If you display the
characteristic on 01/01/1999 or on a date after 01/01/1999, the characteristic
does have the new value.

%HIRUH\RXZRUNZLWKHQJLQHHULQJFKDQJHPDQDJHPHQW
1. You can call engineering change management from the main classification menu by
choosing (QYLURQPHQW→(QJLQFKDQJHPJPW.
2. In engineering change management, you create a change master record, which is
uniquely identified by a change number.
3. For each change number, you need to enter the object types that can be processed
using this change number. Select the object type &KDUDFWHULVWLFV.
4. For more information on creating a change master record, see the R/3 Library under
/RJLVWLFV*HQHUDO /2(QJLQHHULQJ&KDQJH0DQDJHPHQW*XLGH.

:KHQ\RXXVHHQJLQHHULQJFKDQJHPDQDJHPHQWWRSURFHVVFKDUDFWHULVWLFV
• Documentation for characteristics and characteristic values is not subject to
engineering change management. Any changes that you make to documentation are
valid with immediate effect.
• Once you have processed a characteristic using a change number, you must enter a
change number for all further changes to the characteristic.
This ensures that there are no gaps in your change documentation.
• You can only change a characteristic with one change number on any one date.

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You must use the same change number for changes to other objects that affect the
characteristic.
− If you allocate object dependencies to a characteristic using a change number,
you can only use this change number to change the characteristic on this date. In
the change master record, the object types &KDUDFWHULVWLFV and 'HSHQGHQF\
PDLQWHQDQFH must be selected.
− You can only classify a characteristic in the characteristic itself. You cannot use
the central allocation functions in the classification system. If you want to classify
a characteristic using a change number, the change number must be valid for
both characteristics and classification. In this case also, you can only use the
same change number for changes to the characteristic on this date.
6HHDOVR
Changes with Engineering Change Management [Page 40]
What Can You Change in a Characteristic? [Page 41].

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To change a characteristic with engineering change management, you must enter a valid change
number on the initial screen of the characteristic. You create change numbers in the engineering
change management menu. (For more information, see Engineering Change Management for a
Characteristic [Page 38].)
1. From the classification menu, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→&KDQJH
2. Enter the name of the characteristic you want to change, and a change number that is
active for characteristics.
3. Confirm your entries.
4. You see a message telling you that the system has copied the valid-from date from
the change number.

The valid-from date of the change number must be either today’s date or a date in
the future.
5. Confirm this message.
6. Make your changes.
7. Save your changes.
8. Your changes are valid as of the valid-from date copied from the change number.

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If a characteristic has not yet been used in a class, you can use the following functions to change
the data type and the formatting data of a characteristic.
• To change formatting data, such as the number of characters, choose ([WUDV→
)RUPDW
• To change the data type (for example, NUM or CHAR), choose ([WUDV→ 0RUH
IXQFWLRQV→ &KDQJHIRUPDW

:KHQ\RXFKDQJHDFKDUDFWHULVWLFWKHIROORZLQJUHVWULFWLRQVDSSO\
• You cannot change the unit of measure for a numeric characteristic once allowed
values have been defined, or once values have been assigned to the characteristic to
classify an object.
• You cannot change the data type once the characteristic has been used in a class.
• You can increase the number of characters, but not reduce the number of characters,
once the characteristic has been used in a class.
• You cannot delete a value that has been assigned to an object.
To find out which objects are classified with the value you want to delete, use the
where-used list for characteristics. If you delete the value from the classification of
objects, you can delete the value in the characteristic. (For more information, see
Characteristics List [Page 65].)
If the object was classified with engineering change management, you cannot
physically remove the value from the classification database, so you cannot delete
the value from the characteristic.

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5HQDPLQJD&KDUDFWHULVWLF
To rename a characteristic, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→&KDQJH from the classification menu. On
the %DVLFGDWDscreen of the characteristic, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→5HQDPH
1. You see a dialog box. Enter the new name of the characteristic.
2. Confirm your entry. The system changes the name of the characteristic.

:KHQ\RXUHQDPHDFKDUDFWHULVWLF
1. The new characteristic name is copied to tables and functions in variant configuration,
and to classes.
2. If you have used a characteristic in dependencies, you can only rename the
characteristic if it was created before Release 3.0. You must manually change the
name of the characteristic in dependencies.
3. You cannot rename characteristics that were created as of release 3.0 and are used
in dependencies. The rename function is not active for these characteristics.
Use the Naming Conventions [Page 11] for characteristics when renaming characteristics.

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To display a characteristic that you have created:
1. From the classification menu, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→'LVSOD\.
2. Enter the name of the characteristic and select the blocks of the characteristic that
you want to display.
3. Enter either a change number or a date on which the characteristic is valid. If you do
not enter a date, you display the characteristic on today’s date.
4. Confirm your entries.
5. You see the basic data screen. If you want to see the screens for all the blocks you
selected, choose 1H[WVFUHHQ to go from one screen to another.
If you only want to see a specific block, choose *RWR→VFUHHQ!

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You can only delete a characteristic that has not yet been used in other objects.
You can use a characteristic in:
• Classes
• Dependencies
• Standard value calculation in task lists
• Process instructions and messages in process manufacturing
Once you have used a characteristic in one of these ways, you can no longer delete it. To find
out where a characteristic has been used, choose (QYLURQPHQW→ :KHUHXVHGOLVW

'HOHWLQJDFKDUDFWHULVWLFZLWKHQJLQHHULQJFKDQJHPDQDJHPHQW
If you delete a characteristic using engineering change management, the characteristic is deleted
on the valid-from date of the change number.
Once you have deleted a characteristic using a change number, you can reactivate the
characteristic after the deletion date by using another change number.
If you delete a characteristic without using a change number, you cannot reactivate it. You have
to create the characteristic again, if you need it.

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1. From the classification menu, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→ &KDQJH
2. Enter the characteristic you want to delete on the initial screen.
3. Choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→ 'HOHWH
4. You see a dialog box in which you confirm that you want to delete the characteristic.
If you want to delete the characteristic using engineering change management, enter
a valid change number.
The characteristic is then deleted.

You can also delete a characteristic on the basic data screen.

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You can allocate object dependencies to a characteristic or a characteristic value. You can use
the dependencies in classification and variant configuration to describe the relationships between
characteristics and characteristic values. You can use object dependencies to:
• Exclude a characteristic or characteristic value from the value assignment process
• Determine that a value must be assigned to a characteristic
• Set a value for a characteristic
For more information on object dependencies, see the R/3 Library, under /29DULDQW
&RQILJXUDWLRQ*XLGH and &$&ODVVLILFDWLRQ*XLGH.
There are 2 options for creating dependencies:
• Global dependencies
You can use global object dependencies several times over for different objects. If
you make a change to a global dependency, this change affects all objects to which
the dependency is allocated. You cannot change the dependency locally for a specific
object. To identify a global object dependency, you assign a name.
• Local dependencies
You create local object dependencies specifically for one object. You cannot allocate
a local dependency to other objects. You can only change the dependency by
changing this object. To identify a local dependency internally, the system assigns a
number.

6HHDOVR
Dependencies for Characteristics [Page 46]
Object Dependencies for Characteristic Values [Page 47]

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You can allocate the following types of dependency to a characteristic:
• Precondition
• Selection condition
• Action
• Procedure
Once you have allocated dependencies to a characteristic, you see the 2EMHFWGHSHQGHQFLHV
pushbutton on the basic data screen of the characteristic.

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To allocate global dependencies, which you have defined in the variant configuration menu, to a
characteristic:
1. On the basic data screen of a characteristic, choose ([WUDV→ 2EMHFWGHSHQGHQFLHV
→ $OORFDWLRQV
2. On the allocation screen, enter the name of your dependency.
To display the source code of the dependency from the allocations screen, choose
*RWR→ 'HSHQGHQF\HGLWRU

You can also create global object dependencies directly from the allocations
screen of a characteristic. To do this, choose (GLW→ 1HZGHSHQGHQF\→ *OREDO.
3. Confirm your entry and return to the basic data screen.

/RFDOGHSHQGHQFLHVIRUDFKDUDFWHULVWLF
1. On the basic data screen, choose ([WUDV→2EMHFWGHSHQGHQFLHV→(GLWRU
2. You see a dialog box from which you select a dependency type.
Confirm your entries.
3. You see the editor, where you can enter the source code for your dependency.
4. Save your source code.
You see the basic data screen again.

If you want to create additional local dependencies for your characteristic, choose
([WUDV→ 2EMHFWGHSHQGHQFLHV→ $OORFDWLRQV then (GLW→1HZGHSHQGHQFLHV→
/RFDO

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You can allocate the following types of dependency to a characteristic value:
• Precondition
• Action
• Procedure
Once you have allocated dependencies to a characteristic value, the 2 indicator is selected.

• Do not allocate preconditions to the values of restrictable characteristics.

Preconditions and restrictable characteristics are two fundamentally different
concepts for managing the value set of a characteristic. The 2 concepts
cannot be used together.
• You cannot use dependencies for the node of a value hierarchy. Only allocate
dependencies to values on the lowest level of the hierarchy, which do not
have subordinate values.

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To allocate global dependencies, which you have defined in the variant configuration menu, to a
characteristic value:
1. Select the characteristic value to which you want to allocate dependencies.
2. Choose ([WUDV→2EMHFWGHSHQGHQFLHV→$OORFDWLRQV
3. On the allocation screen, enter the name of your dependency.
To display the source code of the dependency from the allocations screen, choose
*RWR→ 'HSHQGHQF\HGLWRU

You can also create global object dependencies directly from the allocations
screen of a characteristic value. To do this, choose (GLW→ 1HZGHSHQGHQF\→
*OREDO.
4. Confirm your entry and return to the allowed values screen.

/RFDOGHSHQGHQFLHVIRUDFKDUDFWHULVWLFYDOXH
1. Select the characteristic value to which you want to allocate dependencies.
2. Choose ([WUDV→2EMHFWGHSHQGHQFLHV→(GLWRU
You see a dialog box from which you select a dependency type.
3. You see the editor, where you can enter the source code for your dependency.
4. Save your source code.
You see the $OORZHG9DOXHVscreen again.

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If you want to create additional local dependencies for your characteristic value,
choose ([WUDV→ 2EMHFWGHSHQGHQFLHV→ $OORFDWLRQV then (GLW→1HZ
GHSHQGHQFLHV→ /RFDO

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This section describes how to create a characteristic with reference to a table field and how to
use the characteristic.

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The R/3 System supports 2 types of characteristic:
• Characteristics whose value set can be defined by the user. These characteristics are
sometimes referred to as XVHUGHILQHGFKDUDFWHULVWLFV
• Characteristics that refer to an object table, and whose value is taken from the table.
These characteristics are known as UHIHUHQFHFKDUDFWHULVWLFV
This section tells you how to create and use a reference characteristic.

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Reference characteristics are characteristics that refer to table fields.
Characteristics such as basic material and weight are already defined in the material master
record. However, it is often precisely these fields that you require to classify your objects. If you
create a characteristic that refers to a master data table in the R/3 Repository, you do not need to
enter values redundantly - once in the %DVLFPDWHULDO field in the object maintenance function and
once by assigning a value to characteristic %DVLFBPDWHULDO in the classification function.
Essential data (such as format and length) is copied from the table field in the R/3 Repository to
the characteristic. Characteristics that refer to a master data field in this way are called UHIHUHQFH
FKDUDFWHULVWLFV in the R/3 System.

You create a reference characteristic with reference to table MARA (material

master) and field %DVLFPDWHULDO. You assign this characteristic to a class. When
you use this class to classify a material, you cannot enter a value for reference
characteristic %DVLFBPDWHULDO The value for the basic material that was entered
in the material master record – copper, for example – is copied.
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Table reference
Basic material Copper Tube_1 Copper
Diameter 10 cm
Length 5m
 
 

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In the standard system, you can only refer to the fields in the primary table and text table of an
object. The primary table is the object table that you enter to define object types for classification
when you configure your system.

For a material, you can display fields in table MARA and text table MAKT in the
classification system.
You cannot access the field values in other material tables in the classification system.
Other applications (for example, variant configuration, standard value determination, and process
manufacturing) may have their own access strategies, allowing you to use additional tables.

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When you classify an object, reference characteristics are not usually available for entry,
because the value is taken from the object table and displayed. This ensures that the
characteristic values are consistent.

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If you use a reference characteristic in a class type that refers to a different object type than the
characteristic, the reference characteristic becomes just the same as any other characteristic.
This means that you can assign a value to the characteristic. You can also use the value you
assign to find the classified object.

You use reference characteristic %DVLFBPDWHULDO which refers to table MARA for
material master data, in class type 002 for equipments. %DVLFBPDWHULDO no longer
behaves like a reference characteristic.

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Reference characteristics can also be used for finding objects. When you enter your search
criteria, reference characteristics are available for entry. The values you enter are compared
against the entries in the tables.
You can use reference characteristics that are not assigned to your class to find objects. Choose
([WUDV→$GGFKDUDFWVYou see all the reference characteristics that have been created for the
object type classified in your class type. You can use any of these reference characteristics to
find objects.

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You can also use reference characteristics in variant configuration. You can use reference
characteristics to change the content of fields that refer to master data. For more information,
please refer to the R/3 Library under /29DULDQW&RQILJXUDWLRQ*XLGH.

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When you create a reference characteristic, you can go directly to the $GGLWLRQDOGDWD block from
the initial screen. You do not need to process the %DVLFGDWD screen first.
If you want to create a reference characteristic:
• You can create several reference characteristics that refer to one table field.
However, we advise you to create only one reference characteristic for each table
field.
• Once you have defined a reference to a table field, you can no longer delete the
reference. For example, you cannot delete the reference to table field %DVLFPDWHULDO
after you have saved the characteristic.
To create a reference characteristic:
1. From the classification menu, choose &KDUDFWHULVWLF→ &UHDWH Enter a name for your
reference characteristic.
2. Choose *RWR→ $GGLWLRQDOGDWD. You see the screen for creating table references.
3. Enter the name of the table that contains the field you want to refer to.
4. Enter the field in this table that you want to refer to. You can display a list of the fields
in the table you entered and select one.
5. Confirm your entries.
6. The system copies the formatting data from the object master to the characteristic.
Any basic data and allowed values you already entered are overwritten by this data.
You can change the characteristic description and the headings. You cannot change
the data type or format of a reference characteristic.
Once you have created a reference characteristic, you can allocate it to a class and use it to
classify and find objects.

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If a table field is used in different tables, you can choose the arrow key next to the field name and
enter other table references for a field. However, the field must have the same format in all the
tables you enter.

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The data of the field to which the reference characteristic refers may be changed in the R/3
Repository at a later date. These changes are not automatically transferred to the reference
characteristic.
You need to update your reference characteristic manually. On the basic data screen and the
additional data screen, choose ([WUDV→0RUHIXQFWLRQV→5HDGGLFWLRQDU\
The system copies the formatting data from the R/3 Repository (data dictionary) to the
characteristic.

When you execute this function, any descriptions and values that you entered
manually are overwritten.

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This section describes characteristics that have a user-defined data type.

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A user-defined data type is used to group several characteristics together under one name. A
characteristic that has a user-defined data type to define its format is made up of several
separate characteristics.
To define a user-defined data type, you create a class of class type  You define individual
characteristics and allocate these to your class. You then enter the class with these individual
characteristics as the data type for your superior characteristic. This links the individual
characteristics to the superior characteristic.
User-defined data types are intended for characteristics whose value depends on a number of
contributory factors. These contributory factors are the individual characteristics. For example,
the fuel consumption of a car is not an absolute figure, because it always depends on the speed.

You cannot use characteristics that have a user-defined data type in object
dependencies

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User-defined data types allow you to create a characteristic that comprises several separate
characteristics. You enter a class of class type  as the data type for the characteristic.
1. Create the characteristics for the characteristic that has a user-defined data type.
Create these characteristics in the usual way. Enter the appropriate data type for your
characteristics (CHAR, NUM, DATE, or TIME).
You can use characteristics with different data types.
2. Create a class of class type 
3. Assign your individual characteristics to this class.
4. Create a characteristic. Enter your class of class type  as the data type for this
characteristic. This links the new characteristic to the characteristics in the class.
– You do not need to enter any further formatting data for the user-defined data
type. The formatting data and values are stored in the individual characteristics.
– Maintain a description and headings for the characteristic.
– You cannot enter any allowed values for a characteristic with a user-defined data
type.
– The individual characteristics that make up your characteristic are not displayed
in your characteristic.
– Save your entries. You have now created a characteristic with a user-defined
data type.
5. You can use the characteristic in the usual way and allocate it to a class for
classifying objects.
6. You see the characteristic with a user-defined data type on the characteristic value
assignment screen. However, you cannot enter a value for it. Select the characteristic
and choose (GLW→&KRRVHYou see a dialog box in which you can assign values to
the individual characteristics.
7. On the search result screen of the find object function, the characteristic with a user-
defined data type is broken down into the individual characteristics that it contains.
You do not see the superior characteristic.

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• You cannot allocate a characteristic that is part of a user-defined data type to a class
in which the user-defined data type is used.
• You cannot use user-defined data types in classes of class type 
• A characteristic with a user-defined data type cannot be a reference characteristic.

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In this example, we will create the characteristic )XHOBFRQVXPSWLRQ which has a user-defined
data type, a class of class type  The example assumes that you know how to work with
classes. For more information on working with classes, see the R/3 Library under &$
&ODVVLILFDWLRQ*XLGH
1. Fuel consumption depends on speed. For this reason, first create characteristics
72:1 (town traffic), 63(('B (50 miles per hour) and 63(('B (60 miles per
hour).
These characteristics have NUM format and the unit JDOORQ Do not enter any allowed
values, because the number of gallons is not to be predefined.
2. Create a class called )8(/B&2168037,21 of class type 
3. Assign your individual characteristics to this class.
4. Create a characteristic called )8(/B&2168037,21
– Enter the class )8(/B&2168037,21 as the data type.
– Maintain a description and headings for the characteristic.
– You cannot enter allowed values for the characteristic.
Formatting data and allowed values are taken from the individual characteristics
in class )8(/B&2168037,21
– Save your entries.
Class )8(/B&2168037,21 now links characteristic )8(/B&2168037,21 to
characteristics 72:1 63(('B and 63(('B
5. Assign characteristic )8(/B&2168037,21 to class &$5class type 
6. Classify material &$5B in class &$5 by choosing $OORFDWLRQ→0DLQWDLQ→
2EMHFWVWRFODVV from the classification menu.
– On the characteristic value assignment screen, you see the characteristic
)8(/B&2168037,21 You cannot assign a value to this characteristic. Double-
click on the characteristic. You see a dialog box containing the individual
characteristics, to which you can assign values.
– Enter the following values for material &$5B
TOWN = 7
SPEED_50 = 5.5
SPEED_60 = 6

– Choose &RQWLQXH to return to the value assignment screen.

– Save your allocation.
7. Find material &$5B by choosing )LQG→2EMHFWVLQFODVVfrom the classification
menu.
– On the initial screen, enter class &$5class type 

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– Confirm your entries.

– You see the value assignment screen. You cannot assign a value to
characteristic )8(/B&2168037,21 Double-click on the characteristic. You
see a dialog box containing the individual characteristics, to which you can assign
values.
– Assign values to these characteristics to find material &$5B The search result
screen shows the individual characteristics with their headings.

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This section describes the reporting functions that are supported for characteristics.

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The classification system supports a number of reporting functions for obtaining information on
the characteristics you create.
• For information on the characteristics themselves, choose (QYLURQPHQW→
&KDUDFWHULVWLFVOLVW.
• For information on where characteristics are used, choose (QYLURQPHQW→ :KHUH
XVHGOLVW.
• For information on changes to characteristics, choose (QYLURQPHQW→ &KDQJH
GRFXPHQWV.
• For information on how characteristics have been processed with a change number,
choose (QYLURQPHQW→&KDQJHRYHUYLHZ.

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To find information on characteristics, choose (QYLURQPHQW→ &KDUDFWHULVWLFVOLVW
• You can produce a list for a specific range of characteristics.
• You can restrict the list by entering a characteristics group, a data type, a status, the
user who created the characteristic, or the user who last changed the characteristic.
• You can define whether you see the characteristic description, the allowed values, the
administrative data, and whether a characteristic is used in classes or other objects.
You can also enter the language in which you want the descriptions displayed.
• Characteristics can be processed using engineering change management, so you
need to enter a date for the list. If you do not enter a date, the list is produced for
today’s date.

You can make a generic entry in the &KDUDFWHULVWLF field using an asterisk ( ).
To display a list of characteristics:
1. Choose (QYLURQPHQW→&KDUDFWHULVWLFVOLVW
2. Enter the range of characteristics you want to see.
3. Enter the date for which you want to produce the list. If you do not enter a date, the
list is produced for today’s date.
4. Enter further selection criteria as required.
5. Select the data you want to display for the characteristics.
6. Choose ([HFXWH You see a list of characteristics that match your selection criteria,
with the information you require.

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To see a list of objects in which a characteristic is used, choose (QYLURQPHQW→ :KHUHXVHGOLVW
from the initial screen for characteristics.
In the standard system, you can find out where characteristics are used in the following object
types:
• Classes
• Object dependencies
• Standard value calculation in task lists
• Process instructions and messages in process manufacturing
To see where a characteristic is used:
1. On the initial screen of a characteristic, enter the name of a characteristic.
2. Choose (QYLURQPHQW→:KHUHXVHGOLVW
3. You see a dialog box, in which you select the object types you require. Choose
&RQWLQXH
You see a list of objects of the selected object types in which the characteristic is used.

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This function produces a list of objects that have a specific characteristic value. For example, you
may want to delete a value, but you are not allowed, because the value has already been
assigned to objects.

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1. From the classification menu, choose (QYLURQPHQW→5HSRUWLQJ→&KDUYDOXHVOLVW.
2. Enter the characteristic to which the value belongs, and the value.
If allowed values are defined for the characteristic, you can display them.
You can enter the maximum number of hits. The default setting in the standard
system is 10.
If there are more than the maximum number of hits, not all hits are displayed.

The number of hits is the number of value assignment records found in the
system. If you have used engineering change management to classify an object,
the object has 2 value assignment records: one for the valid-from date, and one
for the valid-to date. These records are shown as one record in the resulting list.
However, both records are hits. This means that you may see a list of 8 objects,
when the system has found 10 hits.
3. Choose ([HFXWH

5HVXOW
You see a list of all the objects that have your characteristic value. If you have used engineering
change management to classify objects, you see the valid-from date and the valid-to date.
You do not see the classes in which the objects are classified. To find the classes, choose
(QYLURQPHQW → 5HSRUWLQJ → 2EMHFWOLVW or $OORFDWLRQV→2EMHFWWRFODVVHV from the classification
menu.

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In the R/3 System, changes made to a characteristic are stored in change documents. You can
display these change documents at any time.
1. To display changes to characteristics, choose (QYLURQPHQW→&KDQJHGRFXPHQWV
from one of the screens of a characteristic.
2. You see a list of the change documents that have been generated for changes to
your characteristic.
To see details of a change, select a line containing a change document.

Change documents are generated for changes that are made without engineering
change management. You see information on the change, but you can no longer
restore the status of the characteristic before the change.

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If you have processed a characteristic using engineering change management, you can display a
list of the change numbers that have been used to make changes to your characteristic.
1. On the initial screen of a characteristic, enter the name of the characteristic for which
you want to see a change overview.
2. To display a list of change numbers, choose (QYLURQPHQW→&KDQJHRYHUYLHZ
You see a list of the change numbers that have been used to process your characteristic, and the
valid-from date that was copied from the change master record.

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This section describes how to copy characteristics from external systems.

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You can create characteristics from external systems in the R/3 System using background
processing. Report program RCCTBI01 is for this purpose.
For information on how to enter data and how the batch input run works, see the online
documentation on report program RCCTBI01.
The program either generates sessions that can be processed later, or saves the characteristics
immediately with CALL TRANSACTION USING. If an error occurs with CALL TRANSACTION
USING, the program generates a session that can be corrected and processed later.

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Program RCCTBI01 produces batch input for creating characteristics. You can create basic data,
additional data, allowed values, and interface control data.

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• File name
• *HQHUDWHVHVVLRQV indicator

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The file name is the path to the external data to be processed in batch input. The file must have
the following structure:
• Session header (structure BGR00)
• Characteristic record with record type ’1’(structure BIMST)
• Allowed values with record type ’2’ (structure BIMZW)
A new session header must be entered for each new session. If you want several characteristics
to be processed in one session, you need to enter several groups (characteristic, allowed values,
characteristic, allowed values, and so on).

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If you do not set this indicator, the characteristic is created immediately with CALL
TRANSACTION USING. Otherwise, one or more sessions are generated, to be processed either
online or in the background later.

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Before a characteristic can be processed by this program, the following data must be made
available:
Characteristic name, description, characteristic format, number of characters (structure BIMST).

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An error log is output.

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In this example, we create a batch input dataset for a session with two characteristics, each of
which has one allowed value.
• Open dataset
OPEN DATASET DS_NAME FOR OUTPUT IN TEXT MODE.
• Enter session header data in structure BGR00
TRANSFER BGR00 TO DATASET DS_NAME
• Enter characteristic data in BIMST with record type ’1’, the transaction, and the data
from the external system
TRANSFER BIMST TO DATASET DS_NAME
• Enter the allowed values in BIMZW with record type ’2’ and the data from the external
system
TRANSFER...
• Enter characteristic data in BIMST with record type ’1’, the transaction, and the data
from the external system
TRANSFER...
• Enter the allowed values in BIMZW with record type ’2’ and the data from the external
system
TRANSFER...
• Close dataset CLOSE DATASET DS_NAME.
A new session is created for each BGR00 record. The name of the dataset (DS_NAME) is
required later during batch input. The sessions are generated from the datasets in the sequential
file.

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