Apply Dynamic Skip (DS)

Dynamic Skips or DS allows you to skip elements of the recording at run time based on criteria you specify. Frequently used criteria are already provided. You can also define your own skip criteria using Custom DS. Custom DS is written in VB.NET and similar to Macro that you write inside Excel/Word.

Dynamic Skips can be placed on a field or on a screen element.

If you have both Dynamic Skip (DS) and Dynamic Formula (DF) on the same field, then DF will manipulate the field prior to implementing DS.

• DS on Field

  

• DS on Screen

  

• How to See Dynamic Skip Control

  • Select Advance button in Mapper toolbar. An extra column for DS appears automatically.

  

This section contains the following topics:

• Dynamic Skip on Field
• Dynamic Skip on Screen
• Dynamic Skip in Data Extractor
• Dynamic Skip in BAPI

Dynamic Skip on Field

The dynamic skip on field options are as follows:

• C-Skip Excel Row on Blank or Zero
• D-Suppress field on blank
• E-Suppress field on Zero
• F-Suppress Field on Blank or Zero
• H-Find Value or Suppress Field
• I-Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero
• L-Skip Current Call On Blank or Zero
• W-Suppress Field If Not Found In SAP
• Z-Custom DS on Field

For an example of how to restrict Process file to be run on a particular SAP system using custom dynamic skips see Restrict Access to Specific SAP System.

For information about Data Governance, see Apply Data Governance Rule.

C-Skip Excel Row on Blank or Zero

You can perform Skip Row on Zero, Skip Row on Blank or Skip Row on Blank or Zero. Let's consider Skip Row on Blank or Zero to cover both the cases.

Refer the screens below, let's skip the row in which amount is either 0 or blank.

1. Go to Mapper and in the Dynamic Skip column for the field Amount select C-Skip Excel Row on Blank or Zero.

   

   

2. Select the Run button.

   

   After successful Run, you can see the excel log column displaying Row Skipped due to DS.

D-Suppress field on blank

Sometimes, the value for a recorded field that was displayed in the mapper screen is displayed as a blank in Excel. An error occurs if this blank value is passed to SAP. If you do not want to pass the blank value to SAP, select the D-Suppress field on blank for that particular field, and run the Process file.

The D-Suppress field on blank option will suppress the blank field, and it will retain the value that already exists in the SAP. It will only suppress the fields in a condition when Process Runner found ‘Blank’ in the Excel column.

To suppress the blank field,

1. Open a Process file in the Process Runner.
2. Select the Mapper tab > Advanced View.
3. In the mapper grid, under Dynamic Skip, select the D-Suppress field on blank for the field that has blank value.



4. Save the Process file, and then select Run. The Process Runner will suppress the blank field and all the data excluding the blank field is uploaded to SAP.

E-Suppress field on Zero

Sometimes, the value for a recorded field that was displayed in the mapper screen is displayed as a zero in Excel. An error occurs if this blank value is passed to SAP. If you do not want to pass the zero value to SAP, select the E-Suppress field on Zero for that particular field, and run the Process file.

The E-Suppress field on Zero option will suppress the field containing the zero value, and it will retain the value that already exists in the SAP. It will only suppress the field in a condition when Process Runner found ‘0’ in the Excel column.

To suppress the field containing zero,

1. Open a Process file in the Process Runner.
2. Select the Mapper tab > Advanced View.
3. In the mapper grid, under Dynamic Skip, select the E-Suppress field on Zero for the field that has zero value.
4. Save the Process file, and then select Run. The Process Runner will suppress the field containing the zero value and all data excluding that field is uploaded to SAP.

F-Suppress Field on Blank or Zero

You can perform Suppress field on Zero, Suppress field on Blank or Suppress field on Blank or Zero. For our convenience, we will take Suppress field on Blank or Zero to cover both the cases.

Instead of entire Row if we want to suppress only selected fields, we can use this DS type.

Let’s suppress only the amount field if either 0 or blank.

For amount field in Mapper select Suppress field on Blank or Zero in Dynamic Skip column from the drop down. (Refer the screens below)

Steps to be follow to suppress amount field,

1. Go to Mapper tab.
2. Switch to Advanced View as shown in below screenshot.
3. Select Suppress Field on Blank or Zero or Space(s) option from the drop down menu in Dynamic skip column for amount field. (Refer the screens below).

   

   

4. Select the Run button in toolbar.

   

On successful Run, the speadsheet shows the error Document does not contain any valid line items. That is because we suppressed only the amount field and not the others. This transaction requires all line items for successful document posting. For information about how to leave multiple data values unchanged, see Expert Excel Controls.

H-Find Value or Suppress Field

Sometimes there is no option available to position cursor on specific data row in table control while mass data upload process through screen output. therefore, the uploading procedure is interrupted. This is because automation of process is not possible through screen input.

In Process Runner, this can be task can be achieved easily through H-Find Value or Suppress Field... option of Dynamic Skip. Implementing this option will help the users to fix the desired position for specific data updating perspective.

Following are the generic steps to configure Find Value or Suppress Field option of Dynamic Skip.

1. Start Process Runner and open a GUI Script file in which this dynamic skip is to be configured.
2. Go to Mapper and select the particular field of Dynamic Skip for which H-Find Value or Suppress Field is to be configured.
3. From the drop-down menu, select H-find Value or Suppress Field.
4. Implement the required settings at the Find Value Settingsdialogue box and select OK. Refer to the table mentioned below to understand the influence of each settings parameter at Find Value Settings dialogue box.

Refer to the following image and table to configure Find Value Settings.

Examples of this Section

Find this value

Let’s consider script ME12 as an example. In this option we have considered the value as RUE1 which is to be found. Now let’s see from where we will get that value.

1. Enter the SAP T-Code ME12. The Change Info Record, which is the Initial Screen in SAP appears.
2. Enter the relevant fields for Vendor, Material, Purchasing Org and Plant.

3. 

   Press Enter. The detailed screen for Change info Records – General data appears.
4. Select Conditions and select a valid date.

   

5. Select Choose. The Change Gross Price Condition (PB00): Condition Supplements screen appears.
6. Select the value/condition type for which you need to change the amount.

In this case when you mentioned the value as RUE1 in Find this value option then when you run the file with any number of records it will only update the data as per Excel wherever RUE1 value if found.

Find Value Set in this column

Let’s consider script ME12 with 5 records.

Following image represents Mapping configurations in the Mapper:

Now when run the file, all data will be modified as per Excel data file where ever it will find the values mentioned in F column of Excel.

Where to find

This option is usually used to specify the location as to where the value is to be searched in the grid. Enter the column address where the search is to be conducted.

Let’s consider the same script ME12 example mentioned above in Find this value option.

In that example we have enabled ‘Until a first blank value is found in “Where to Find” column as set above’ because when you run the file, it will search for the value ‘RUE1’ in column number 1 of SAP grid and when a blank value is found in that column in SAP grid; it will stop execution.

How many rows to search for in the grid

Let’s consider script IA06 as an example. Now let’s see from where we have entered the column number in above option ‘Find value set in this Excel column’ screenshot. When a blank value is found in ‘Operation Description’ column in SAP grid; it will stop execution.

How many rows to search for in the grid:

1. Enter the SAP T-Code IA06. The Change General Task List: which is the initial screen, appears.
2. Enter the relevant fields for Group.

   

3. Select Task list. The detailed screen for Change General Task List: Task list Overview appears.

   

4. Select Select all option and then select Operation. The detailed screen of operations appears.

   

I-Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero

You can perform Suppress Screen on Zero, Suppress Screen on Blank or Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero. For our convenience, we will take Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero to cover both the cases.

We will suppress the entire screen if amount is either 0 or blank. (Refer the screens below)

1. Select Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero from the Dynamic Skip column for amount field.

   

   

2. Select the Run button.

Looking at the error Log message, you will notice that it did not post any line items for Document 2 which has 0 and blank respectively.

L-Skip Current Call On Blank or Zero

You can perform Skip Current Call on Blank, Skip Current Call on Zero or Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero. For our convenience, we will take Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero to cover both the cases.

We will skip the call to SAP if amount is either 0 or blank. For amount field in Mapper select Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero in Dynamic Skip column from the drop down. (Refer the screens below)

To skip call to SAP for Amount field,

1. Go to Mapper tab.
2. Switch to Advanced View.
3. Select Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero or Space(s) option from the drop down menu in Dynamic skip column for amount field. (Refer the screens below)

   

   

4. Select Run button in toolbar.

   

   On successful Run, the message Call to SAP skipped due to custom DS appears.

W-Suppress Field If Not Found In SAP

The dynamic skip Suppress Field If Not Found In SAP is used to suppress the field during the transaction execution. Here, field gets validated in the SAP and if it is not found in SAP then field automatically gets suppressed. Using this functionality, user can upload the data without receiving any field missing error.

Note: To utilize this functionality when SAP ERP like (ECC6, Ehp5 or higher) is in use, a special authorization like S_DEVELOP or Innowera ABAP Add-on TX Package is required. Ensure that the required special authorization is added to SAP profile of the user. If it's not added, then please contact your SAP security team and get it configured.

For further assistance, please create a support case on Salesforce.

Z-Custom DS on Field

The above dynamic skips mentioned in previous chapter were the built in DS types provided in Mapper. To check the values “on the Fly” during run-time and perform some action based on that, you can use Custom DS.

1. Select Custom Dynamic Skip from the drop-down for amount field.

   

   Custom DS screen pops-up. This is a small IDE, where users can write their VB.Net code to perform various Run-Time actions based on the data they put in their excel data sheet.

   Besides the inbuilt DS types, custom DS also supports various options.

   Let us understand the pre-defined variables and return types that can be used in Custom DS on field with VB.Net code.

   Variables	Description
   iSheet	Current excel sheet
   iCurrentExcelRowNumber	Current absolute excel row number
   iValue	Current value pertaining to mapping
   iMapType	Mapping Type
   iMapValue	Mapped Value
   iExcelLogColumn	Excel Log column
   iExcelStatusColumn	Excel Status column
   iLoopExcelHeaderRow	Looping header row
   iLoopExcelEndRow	Looping End Row
   IsTestRun	Check whether Current Run Is Test Run
   IsLineLevelTestRun	Whether Line Level Test Run or Whole Document Test Run
   IsDRSActive	Is DRS Active in Current File
   DRSBlockValue	DRS Block length
   IsDRSBalancingRow	Whether current Executing Row Is DRS Balancing Row
   IsRowSelectionPass	Whether the row selection passed in analyzing/preparing rows for Run
   IsHeaderLevelTestRun	Whether Line Level Test Run is executing And Header Row is Executing in Loop
   iReturnID	Return ID in Log/Status column
   iReturnMessage	Return Message in Log/Status column
   GVar1, GVar2, GVar3, GVar4, GVar5	Object variables **These variables are valid only per call and will be reset once the call is finished. These are object variables, so you can store any value (eg. Int, float, text..etc.) in that.
   GVars	Hash table object
   Return Types: (Any other value will continue the operation as if Dynamic Skip was absent)	0: Default return value. This will tell Process Runner to send the row to SAP and not suppress it. 1: Suppress or do not send the field to SAP. This will tell Process Runner to suppress a row and will not send it to SAP. 2: Skip current excel row. This will tell Process Runner to skip a row and not send it to SAP. 3: Skip current call. This will skip one entire call to SAP. 4: Stop current SAP execution. Similar to pressing Stop button in Process Runner.
   SAPProcess	Return SAP Transaction/BAPI/Table name
   SAPSystem	Returns logged-in SAP System ID
   SAPClient	Returns logged-in SAP Client
   SAPUser	Returns logged-in SAP User
   SAPLang	Returns logged-in SAP Language
   SAPSystemNo	Returns logged-in SAP SystemNo

   Example:

   If Trim(iSheet.Cells(iCurrentExcelRowNumber,"i").Text) = "31"

   Return 0

   else

   Return 1

   End If

   The above code tells Process runner if there is 31 in column I for the current row in current sheet then only execute (Return 0) the row else suppress (Return 1) it.

   Here we will see a small example that if we encounter $ in amount field it should stop the transaction.

   

   iValue contains the field value for which we have defined Custom DS.

   It’s “amount” here.

   Following is the VB.Net code.

   If iValue.ToString() = “$” then

   Return 4

   End If

   Returning 4 will stop the transaction there itself.

2. To test your code, enter $ in iValue & select the Test button. It displays Result: 4 (the return value).

   Look at the description below it.

   ** If there is any Syntax error in your code it will also notify about that.

   

3. Select the OK button. Run it.

   

For information about how to restrict a Process file to be run in a particular SAP system using Custom Dynamic Skip, see Restrict Access to Specific SAP System.

Dynamic Skip on Screen

The dynamic skip on screen options are as follows:

• A-Execute only on the first call
• B-Execute only the first call (normal run only)
• C-Suppress Screen with Previous
• D-Invert Screen with Previous
• E-Suppress during Test Run
• G-Suppress Screen on Blank
• H-Suppress Screen on Zero
• I-Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero
• X-Suppress Screen If Not Found In SAP
• Custom DS

Note: Dynamic Skips A,B,C and D do not require any map value. They are either exclusive to a screen (like A and D) or dependent on the preceding screen (B and C).

A-Execute only on the first call

This is similar to Suppress Screen with previous but the only difference is it will do it only on the first call. Consider the example that we just referred for Suppress Screen with previous. If we replace Suppress Screen with previous with Execute only on the first call then it will post only the first document & not the others (refer the second screen)

B-Execute only the first call (normal run only)

This is similar to Execute only on the first call but the only difference is it will do it on the first call in Normal Run only. Consider the example that we just referred for Execute only on the first call. If we replace Execute only on the first call with B-Execute only on the first call (normal run only) therefore SAP Screen will pass to SAP only on first call made to SAP and only in Normal Run mode. In Debug or Error Processing Run mode SAP Screen will not be suppressed.

C-Suppress Screen with Previous

Consider this header detail sample. In previous examples we have seen that if a blank value is inserted it won’t execute the transaction. Have a look at the data sheet below.

We will suppress the entire screen (SAPLKEAK - 0300) if field in “L” (COPA-Sales Org) is blank. But this still won’t work as we need to skip the screen after that.

So we suppress the screen (SAPMFOSA - 1001) just next to that screen.

Click on Run button.

D-Invert Screen with Previous

In some rare case scenarios there might be a situation in which you might want to skip the next screen if current screen is executed or vice versa i.e. if current screen is skipped then next screen should be executed. For this we have a DS screen type Invert Screen with Previous.

Consider the following example (Transaction FBS1) in which we have provided a Custom DS for screen SAPMF05A - 0700. In this if this screen is skipped then the next screen SAPMF05A - 0701 should be executed for successful execution of transaction.

Thus we provide Invert screen with Previous as the DS for screen SAPMF05A - 0701.

Selecting Run button will result in successful execution of the transaction.

E-Suppress during Test Run

Depending on your Test Run settings you can even suppress a screen if you do not want to send it during Test Run.

G-Suppress Screen on Blank

This is similar to “Suppress field on Blank” but here it will suppress the entire screen when it finds a blank instead of one field.

In the G-Suppress Screen on Blank screen that pops up you can specify the column to check for blank.

H-Suppress Screen on Zero

This is similar to Suppress field on Zero but here it will suppress the entire screen when it finds zero instead of one field.

In the H-Suppress Screen on Zero screen that pops up you can specify the column to check for zero value.

I-Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero

Similar to Suppress Field on Blank or Zero except that it will suppress the entire screen.

In the I-Suppress Screen on Blank or Zero screen that pops up you can specify the column to check for zero or blank value.

X-Suppress Screen If Not Found In SAP

The dynamic skip Suppress Screen If Not Found In SAP is used to suppress the screen during the transaction execution. Here, screen get validated in the SAP and if it is not found then it automatically gets suppressed. Using this functionality, user can upload the data without receiving any screen missing error.

The Conflict with Auto Fix and Dynamic Skip error is populated as the feature Auto fix missing screen is enabled in current process file. You can click on Yes and execute the transaction or you may follow the steps given below to avoid this conflict.

Below are the generic steps to manually disable Auto fix missing screen error feature.

1. Go to Advance Setting command from Settings group at Home ribbon tab.
2. At Auto fix tab of Advanced Settings dialogue box, disable the Auto fix missing screen error option as shown below.

   

Note: To utilize this functionality when SAP ERP like (ECC6, Ehp5 or higher) is in use, a special authorization like S_DEVELOP or Innowera ABAP Add-on TX Package is required. Ensure that the required special authorization is added to SAP profile of the user. If it's not added, then please contact your SAP security team and get it configured.

For further assistance please create a support case on Salesforce.

Custom DS

Like Custom DS for fields we have Custom DS for screens too.

Refer the transaction screen below. Business requirement is that If user adds/deletes any column then this transaction should not run. See how we can implement this using Custom Dynamic Skip.

To achieve this, we will add a custom dynamic skip in the first screen.

Have a look at the DS criteria. It will check if value is not equal to “ABCD” in cell 2 of column P in current sheet, then it will Return 4 which is for stopping current SAP execution. Thus, if any column is added or deleted then it will Return 4 & stop the transaction.

Let us insert 2 blank columns as shown below.

Select the Run button. It will show the relevant message that Call to SAP stopped due to Custom DS

This is just a simplified example to clear the concept. In real implementation, we would have a hidden cell somewhere that we will be checking. Of course, Custom DS concept can be extended to many other scenario.

Hopefully, this documentation provided basic information so you can implement your own business rules using powerful Dynamic Skip.

Dynamic Skip in Data Extractor

Dynamic Skips or DS allows you to skip elements at run time based on criteria you specify. Frequently used criteria are already provided. You can also define your own skip criteria using Custom DS. Custom DS is written in VB.NET code and similar to Macro that you write inside Excel/Word.

Dynamic Skip can be set for field in Data Extractor. Following are the Dynamic Skips that are offered:

• Skip Excel row on Blank
• Skip Excel row on Zero
• Skip Excel row on Blank or Zero or Space(s)
• Suppress field on Blank
• Suppress field on Zero
• Suppress field on Blank or Zero or Space(s)
• Skip Current Call on Blank
• Skip Current Call on Zero
• Skip Current Call On Blank or Zero or Space(s)
• Data Governance Rule
• Custom Dynamic Skip

In the following example, we skip the data from MARA table and see how dynamic skip can be used to skip data based on the specified criteria. Once the data consisting of 'Material Number' and 'Name of Person who Created the Object' is ready in excel file for which data is to be extracted, go to Mapper tab and follow the steps mentioned below:

1. In the Mapper, clear the Active checkbox for the fields for which data is to be filtered (i.e taken from excel file mentioned above).

   

2. Go to Home tab.
3. Check the Use Data Filters checkbox and choose the Data Filter Builder option.

   

4. In the Data Filter Builder window, choose MATNR in Field Name, Source Type as Excel to SAP and Source Value as A (column consisting material number in excel).
5. Similarly choose ERNAM, Source Type as Excel to SAP, Source Value as B(column consisting Name of the Person Who Changed Object in excel).

   

6. Select Dynamic skips under Dynamic Skip column for the required field.

In our example we will choose Name of Person who Created the Object field and use dynamic skip options (skip excel row/suppress field/skip current call/custom DS) if value of this field is either 0 or blank as covered in below sections.

• Skip Excel row on Blank or Zero

  You can perform Skip Excel Row on Zero, Skip Excel Row on Blank or Skip Excel Row on Blank or Zero or Space(s) to skip the row in which value of ERNAM (Name of Person who Created the Object) field is either 0 or blank.

  

  Select OK and then select Run in the toolbar.

  

  After successful run, the excel log column displays Row Skipped due to DS.

• Suppress field on Blank or Zero

  You can perform Suppress field on Zero, Suppress field on Blank or Suppress field on Blank or Zero to suppress selected fields.

  

  

  Call to SAP can be skipped using Skip Current Call on Blank, Skip Current Call on Zero or Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero or Space(s).

• Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero

  

  

  Select the OK button and then select the Run button in toolbar.

  On successful Run, message Call to SAP skipped due to custom DS appears.

• Custom Dynamic Skip

  

  Custom DS allows you to write their VB.Net code to perform various run-time actions based on the data you put in your excel data sheet.

  

  Select Run in the toolbar.

  

  Note: If the return value is:

  • 0 - It will continue to work.
  • 1 - Suppress or do not send the field to SAP
  • 2 - Skip current Excel row
  • 3 - Skip current Call
  • 4 - Stop current SAP execution

• Data Governance Rule

  Lets consider Material Number field present in the excel file and use 'MARA' SAP table to download material information for the material number that exist in table/view else display the error as designed in the rule of Control Panel.

  

  Choose Y- Data Governance Rule option for Material Number and select the rule that will validate the data for the selected field.

  

  

  Execute the process. Note that Validate Data Governance Rule option is not available for Data Extractor.

  

  For information about Data Governance, see Apply Data Governance Rule.

Dynamic Skip in BAPI

You can use the Dynamic Skip functionality on the Mapper tab to skip uploading or downloading of data based on the following criteria while running a BAPI Process file.

• J-Skip Current Call On Blank
• K-Skip Current Call On Zero
• L-Skip Current Call On Blank Or Zero Or Space(s)
• Y-Data Governance Rule
• Z-Custom Dynamic Skip

In the following example, we skip the data and see how dynamic skip can be used to skip data based on the specified criteria.

• Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero

  Call to SAP can be skipped using “Skip Current Call on Blank”, “Skip Current Call on Zero” or “Skip Current Call on Blank or Zero or Space(s)”.

  Once the data consisting of 'Company Code' is ready in excel file for which data is to be extracted, go to Mapper tab and follow the steps mentioned below:

  1. In the Mapper, go to Dynamic Skip column for the field 'Company Code' and select L-Skip Current Call on Blank Or Zero Or Space(s) from drop-down menu.

     

  2. Select Run. Select the SAP system from server group and select Logon.
  3. Enter the user data and select OK.

     

  4. After successful Run, you can see the excel log column displaying Call to SAP skipped due to custom DS.

     

• Custom Dynamic Skip

  Custom DS allows users to write their VB.Net code to perform various run-time actions based on the data they put in their excel data sheet.

  1. Open BAPI process file, select the Mapper tab.
  2. In the Dynamic Skip column for the Map Value 'A' select Z-Custom Dynamic Skip... from drop-down menu as shown in the image below.

     

  3. Write the VB.Net code that is to be performed in Custom Field Skip Editor screen.
  4. Select Run. Select the SAP system from server group and select Logon.
  5. Enter the user data and select OK.

     

  6. It will show the relevant message that Call to SAP skipped due to Custom DS.

Note: If the return value is: 0 - It will continue to work. 3 - Skip current Call. 4 - Stop current SAP execution

• Data Governance Rule

  You can use the data governance functionality to validate your data according to the rules configured in Innowera Control Panel before you run a BAPI Process file. If the data is not valid, you can correct the data and then run the Process file. For more information about data governance, see Apply Data Governance Rule.

  Note: You must configure the validation rules in Innowera Control Panel to use the data governance functionality. Also, make sure that you have access to open and run the BAPI Process file.

  For example, create a sales order in SAP by providing the material number and other details in a BAPI Process file. Before posting the data into SAP, you can validate the data using the Data Governance rule configured in the Innowera Control Panel. If the material number does not exist in the SAP table, an error message will be displayed.

  To run a BAPI Process file using Data Governance rule,

  1. In Process Runner, open a BAPI Process file.
  2. On the Mapper tab > Upload/Download from SAP tab, select the field that you want to validate.
  3. In the Dynamic Skip list, select Y-Data Governance Rule. The Data Governance Rule window is displayed.

     

     Note: Ensure that you have configured Control Panel through Tools > Options > Enterprise Settings.

  4. Select the Rule ID that is configured in the Control Panel. The corresponding name and description are populated.
  5. Select OK. You are returned to the process file window.
  6. Save the changes in the process file.
  7. In Run Actions, select Data Governance. The SAP Logon at <NameOfSAPSystem> window is displayed.
  8. Enter the logon credentials, and select OK. The data is validated, and a validation message is displayed for the field that you selected in step 2.

     

  9. After making the required changes, save the file, and select Run. The SAP Logon at <SAP System> window appears.
     1. Enter the login credentials, and select OK. The sales order will be created in SAP successfully.