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Understanding Tables Types in SAP

The document explains various table types in SAP, including Transparent Tables, Cluster Tables, Pooled Tables, Structures, and Views, each with unique characteristics and use cases. Transparent Tables are used for transactional and master data, while Cluster and Pooled Tables optimize performance and storage. Structures and Views serve specific roles in data processing and reporting without storing data themselves.

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Sohail Ahmed Khilji
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7 views

Understanding Tables Types in SAP

The document explains various table types in SAP, including Transparent Tables, Cluster Tables, Pooled Tables, Structures, and Views, each with unique characteristics and use cases. Transparent Tables are used for transactional and master data, while Cluster and Pooled Tables optimize performance and storage. Structures and Views serve specific roles in data processing and reporting without storing data themselves.

Uploaded by

Sohail Ahmed Khilji
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Transparent Tables, Cluster Tables, Pooled Tables, Structures, and

Views in SAP

SAP stores data using different table types, each with a distinct storage and access
mechanism. The main types are:

1️⃣ Transparent Tables

2️⃣ Cluster Tables

3️⃣ Pooled Tables

4️⃣ Structures

5️⃣ Views

🔹 1️⃣Transparent Tables

✅ Definition:

• A transparent table is a one-to-one representation of a database table in SAP.

• The table exists in the database with the same structure as defined in SE11 (ABAP
Dictionary).

• It is the most common table type, used for storing transactional and master data.

✅ Characteristics:

✔ Exists in the database as an independent table.

✔ Has the same name and structure in both SAP and the database.

✔ Can be browsed using SE16N.

✔ Supports direct SQL queries (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).

✅ Example Tables:
Table Name Description
VBAK Sales Order Header Data
KNA1 Customer Master Data
MARA Material Master Data

✅ Checking Transparent Tables:

• Use SE11 → Table Name → Display.

• Table Category = Transparent Table.

🔹 2️⃣Cluster Tables

✅ Definition:

• A cluster table is a special type of table that groups multiple tables together at the
database level.

• Several logical SAP tables are stored as one physical table in the database.

• Used for performance optimization and reducing redundancy.

✅ Characteristics:

✔ Stored together in a single physical table.

✔ Cannot be accessed directly using SE16N.

✔ Accessed via ABAP programs and function modules.

✔ Used primarily for SAP system data (e.g., HR & Accounting data).

✅ Example Cluster Tables:

Table Name Description Physical Cluster Table


BSEG Accounting Document Segment Stored in RFBLG
PCL1 HR Cluster Data Stored in PCL1 Cluster
PCL2 Payroll Results Stored in PCL2 Cluster

✅ Checking Cluster Tables:

• Use SE11 → Table Name → Display.


• Table Category = Cluster Table.

• The real storage location is shown under “Cluster/Pool Table”.

🔹 3️⃣Pooled Tables

✅ Definition:

• A pooled table is a logical table stored inside a larger database table (pool).

• Several SAP tables are stored together in a single Pooled Table in the database.

• Used for storing small configuration or control data.

✅ Characteristics:

✔ Many logical tables are stored together in a single pooled table.

✔ Cannot be accessed directly using SE16N.

✔ Mainly used for storing SAP configuration data.

✅ Example Pooled Tables:

Table Name Description Physical Pooled Table


T001 Company Codes Stored in T000 (Pool Table)
TADIR Repository Objects Stored in T000 (Pool Table)
TSTC Transaction Codes Stored in T000 (Pool Table)

✅ Checking Pooled Tables:

• Use SE11 → Table Name → Display.

• Table Category = Pooled Table.

• The real storage location is shown under “Cluster/Pool Table”.

🔹 4️⃣Structures

✅ Definition:
• A structure is like a table but does not store data.

• Used to define data types for internal tables, reports, and function modules.

• Exists only in memory when a program is running.

✅ Characteristics:

✔ Cannot store data permanently.

✔ Used for data transfer between programs.

✔ Used in ABAP Dictionary (SE11) but has no physical storage.

✔ Often used in Reports, Function Modules, and BAPIs.

✅ Example Structures:

Structure Name Description


SYST Contains system variables (e.g., date, user ID)
RP50G HR Data Structure (Appears in ST05 but not in SE16N)
BALHDR Structure for Application Log Headers

✅ Checking Structures:

• Use SE11 → Structure Name → Display.

• Table Category = Structure.

• Cannot be browsed using SE16N.

🔹 5️⃣Views

✅ Definition:

• A view is a logical representation of data from one or more tables.

• It does not store data but is used for reporting and read-only access.

• Used to combine multiple tables into a single view for easy access.
✅ Characteristics:

✔ Does not store data (only reads from other tables).

✔ Can be created for performance optimization.

✔ Can be based on Transparent Tables, Cluster Tables, or Pooled Tables.

✅ Types of Views in SAP:

View Type Description


Database View Combines tables, stores structure in DB, used for read access
Projection View Selects specific fields from a single table
Help View Used for search helps
Maintenance View Used for table maintenance (SM30)

✅ Example Views:

View Name Description


V_EKKO Purchase Order Header View
V_T001 Company Codes View
VBRK_V Invoice View

✅ Checking Views:

• Use SE11 → View Name → Display.

• Table Category = View.

• Cannot be browsed using SE16N, only via SELECT in ABAP.

🔹 Summary: Differences Between Table Types

Feature Transparent Table Cluster Table Pooled Table Structure View


Stores
✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
Data?
Directly ❌ No (Grouped ❌ No (Stored in ❌ No (Only ❌ No (Only
✅ Yes
in DB? in a Cluster) a Pool) in Memory) Logical)
SE16N
✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No
Access?
Master/Transaction Performance Configuration ABAP
Best For Reporting
Data Optimization Data Programs

🚀 Final Takeaway

• Use Transparent Tables for master/transaction data.


• Use Cluster/Pooled Tables for performance & storage efficiency.

• Use Structures for temporary data processing.

• Use Views for reporting and data aggregation.

Would you like a SQL script to check if a table is Transparent, Cluster, or Pooled? 🚀

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