Looking to Understand User Exits in SAP SD with Real-Time Case Studies

[Bikku]

Hello SAP Experts,

I’m currently working in the SAP SD module and looking to expand my knowledge in the area of User Exits, specifically within the Sales and Distribution (SD) domain.

I would like to mention that I am completely new to this functionality and eager to understand it from the ground up. I’ve come across the term "User Exit" quite often in discussions related to customization and enhancements, but I’m still unclear about:

• What exactly are User Exits and how do they differ from BADIs or Enhancements?

• Where and how are they implemented in SAP SD?

• What are some real-time business use cases where User Exits have been effectively used to solve specific problems or meet business requirements?

If possible, I would greatly appreciate step-by-step explanations or references to detailed examples that can help a beginner like me understand this concept in depth. Any inputs, documents, or links would be very helpful!

Thanks in advance for your time and guidance.

Best regards,
Sobhagya Thapa

[Sandra_Rossi]

This question has been asked and answered several times in the forum. Is there any specific reason to repeat the same answers?

[loiolahugo]

Hi, Bikku.

UserExits, BADI's, and Enhancements are used to perform improvements and customizations in SAP standard programs.

When working with SAP systems, it is crucial not to modify the original standard code directly. This practice ensures that the system remains eligible for official SAP support and that the application of updates, patches, and system upgrades is not compromised. Modifying the standard code may result in the loss of warranty, difficulties in applying SAP Notes, and potential instability within the system.

The difference between them:

• User-Exits:
  Predefined includes within SAP’s standard code where developers can insert custom programming logic. They may be User-modules (PBO/PAI) or User-forms.
  How to find User-Exits in SD:

  • Transaction: SE80 (Object Navigator)

  • Development Object section

  • Search for "VMOD" (The object VMOD contains all SD-related User-Exits).

• Implicit Enhancements:
  A technique that allows customizations to standard SAP functionality without altering the core source code. Developers can inject their logic at predefined enhancement points.
  Example of creating an Implicit Enhancement:

  • Access SE38 -> Open program MV45AFZZ (commonly used for User-Exit modifications).

  • Click on Enhance (Spiral icon or SHIFT + F4).

  • Right-click within the editor -> Enhancement Operations -> Show Implicit Enhancement Options.

  • Choose an available point, right-click -> Enhancement Operations -> Create Enhancement.

  • Follow the guided process and add your custom logic.

  You can visualize existing Enhancements in a program using SE80.

• BADI (Business Add-In):
  A more structured enhancement technique that uses interfaces and classes to insert custom business logic without modifying the SAP standard.

  • To search for BADI's: Use Transaction SE18.

  • To implement BADI's: Use Transaction SE19.

How to find BADI's in the system:

• Classic BADI's:

  • Activate debug mode with /h during the process where you expect a BADI to be triggered.

  • Set a breakpoint (F9) in Method -> Global Class -> Class Name: CL_EXITHANDLER -> Method Name: GET_INSTANCE.

  • After executing (F8), check the EXIT_NAME variable under CHANGING to identify the BADI.

• New BADI's:

  • Again, activate debug mode /h.

  • Set a breakpoint (F9) -> ABAP Commands -> CALL BADI.

  • Execute (F8) and inspect the TYPE REF of the variable being called to determine the relevant BADI.

Practical Example of a User-Exit Implementation(SD):
During my training, I developed a simple validation in transaction VA01 where, if the user attempted to save an order with more than 40 items, an error message would be displayed, preventing the save operation.
The implementation was done in the FORM USEREXIT_SAVE_DOCUMENT_PREPARE of the MV45AFZZ program.
Although I no longer have the code due to the passage of time, this project was crucial in helping me gain experience with debugging and the development of SAP enhancements.

Additional Note:

The YouTube channel "Mundo ABAP" offers great content related to ABAP, especially standard enhancements, with theoretical explanations and real-world examples. While the content is in Portuguese (PT-BR), YouTube’s automatic subtitle translation is generally sufficient to follow along and practice.

Understanding the various methods of enhancing SAP standard functionalities is crucial for any SAP developer or consultant. The information presented here serves only as an initial introduction and contextualization.
For a deeper understanding, it is highly recommended to explore additional resources such as blog articles, tutorial videos, and discussions available on SAP Community and other online learning sources.

I sincerely wish you all the best in your SAP journey, Hugo Loiola!

[Sandra_Rossi]

Why mentioning "Mundo ABAP" and not an official SAP Website like documentation and so on? (As you are an SAP employee)