Subset Tables Page

Use the Subset Tables page to specify whether you want to search the SAP R/3 metadata, to generate a subset of tables using metadata that you have already extracted, or to extract the SAP R/3 table metadata to SAS data sets. Here is how you can search and subset tables dynamically or using pre-extracted metadata:

Display only the SAP R/3 tables that meet your search criteria.
Display the SAP R/3 tables in an alphabetical tree view in which tables are grouped according to the first letter of the table name.
Display a structured view of the SAP tables in which tables are grouped according to SAP data model.
Display all SAP R/3 tables in alphabetical order according to table name.
Display a subset of tables that is generated by building a WHERE clause for an SQL query that selects only the tables that meet your specific search criteria.

Because there is generally a large amount of data in your SAP R/3 System, searching through all data to find the tables that you want to use as data sources can be a lengthy process. The Subset Tables page enables you to generate a more manageable subset of data so you can more easily identify your data sources.

The options that display on this page are determined by whether the metadata location that you selected in the SAP Server page contains pre-extracted metadata. If no metadata is found in the specified location, you can dynamically access your SAP R/3 System and browse metadata without pre-extracting that metadata. However, when you are dynamically accessing your SAP metadata, subset options are limited.

The Subset Tables page contains the following items:

Tree View

enables you to select a method for navigating or viewing the SAP R/3 metadata in a tree view. Here are the tree view options:

SAP Metadata Search

displays the Search Metadata for String dialog box, where you can search the SAP R/3 metadata and generate a subset of SAP R/3 tables that contain the specified search string. You can search the entire SAP R/3 System for a given text string and limit the search to tables, entities, and data models, and also select other filtering choices. This view option is selected by default. This option is available if you have previously extracted SAP metadata to the SAP metadata library.

Select SAP Tables By Starting Letter of Table

displays the Select Tables and Select Folder Location dialog box, where you can view the extracted SAP R/3 metadata in an alphabetical tree view that groups tables by the first letter of the table name. This option is enabled regardless of whether the SAP metadata library that you selected contains pre-extracted metadata.

Structured View of SAP Tables SAP Data Model Explorer

displays the SAP R/3 Data Model Explorer page, where you can view the extracted SAP R/3 metadata in the SAP structured tree view. This option is available if you have previously extracted SAP metadata to the SAP metadata library.

List View

enables you to select a method for navigating or viewing the SAP R/3 metadata in a list view. Here are the list view options:

List of All SAP Tables in Alphabetical Order

displays the Select Tables and Select Folder Location page, which lists all previously extracted SAP R/3 tables in alphabetical order. Tables are sorted by table name.

Subset of SAP Tables Based on Selection Criteria

displays the Build Expression (WHERE Clause) page, where you can specify selection criteria to use to generate a subset of SAP R/3 tables. You can then more easily locate the SAP R/3 tables that you want to use as data sources. The Build Expression (WHERE Clause) page allows you to specify a WHERE clause for an SQL query that generates this subset of tables. This option is enabled regardless of whether the metadata location that you selected contains pre-extracted metadata.

Extract Options

pre-extracts the SAP R/3 metadata to SAS data sets. Pre-extracting your SAP R/3 metadata improves performance, and you can perform text-based searches on the table metadata that you extract. Here is the extract option:

Extract SAP Metadata to SAS Data Sets

displays the Metadata Extraction Parameters page, where you can specify the metadata that you want to extract. The extract option is enabled only if you select an SAP metadata library that does not contain previously extracted SAP R/3 metadata. The SAP metadata library and location are specified on the SAP Server page.

Note: If you choose the Extract SAP Metadata to SAS Data Sets option, then this run of the SAP R/3 Register Tables wizard creates the SAP metadata library. To use your SAP data in jobs, you need to run the SAP R/3 Register Tables wizard a second time.

Subset Tables Page

See Also