SAP Public Cloud - Adobe Forms: Extend data source and layout

[Ivn_Escudero66]

Hello,

I have some questions about forms in S4 Public Cloud. I hope you can help clarify my thoughts.

First, I wanted to know if there is a way to extend the data source of a form without having to create customer fields. My customer's requirement is to print data on the form that isn't in the data source. For example, to print data from the related delivery or the intercompany purchase order on the sales order. Therefore, I don't need to create custom fields; this information is already in SAP. I need to extend the data source and dynamically populate this extension with the necessary information. I don't want to create new customer fields in the database.

Another requirement from my customer is to group sales order items by material group. That is, they don't want to print items 10, 20, 30, etc. They want to group by the material group field and first print a header (Material Group 1) and below it all the items in that material group. Then they'll print another header (Material Group 2) and the items in that material group... In S4 Private, I would have developed this type of logic in the print/BADI program, form context, or form interface. But in S4 Public, I don't have any of these options. Can the data source be extended and a completely customized data structure developed by me be added? Are these types of groupings developed directly with Javascript in the Adobe form?

Kind Regards. 

[EduardaCosta]

Hello @Ivn_Escudero66, hope you're doing well. 

Being super direct: is not possible to create a completely customized data source. Due to the nature of a public cloud, the access to backend is limited, so it's only possible to access CDS views, fields, or data in general that is already made available by SAP.

For more information please read the Help Portal:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_S4HANA_CLOUD/0f69f8fb28ac4bf48d2b57b9637e81fa/f71b07567568414face70439...

Best regards, 

Eduarda Costa. 

[Ivn_Escudero66]

Hello,

Thank you very much for responding so quickly.

I understand that the nature of the S4 Public Cloud is to limit access to the backend and follow standardized processes using SAP best practices. I fully agree with this Cloud philosophy.

However, in my opinion, allowing the customer to fully customize their print forms is not a modification to the standard processes. The customer's requirement is simply to be able to create a custom layout of their form, grouping items by material group, and display other data in the form that is stored in SAP, in standard processes, but not provided by the standard form data source. This is why I mentioned that it's not necessary to create custom fields in the database; simply that there is a way to access this data (via CDS) and be able to extend the data source to display it in the form.

Therefore, to confirm this point, could you confirm that these types of extensions and customizations cannot be done in the S4 Public Cloud? That way, I could speak to the customer and let them know.

Thanks in advance. 

Kind Regards. 

[EduardaCosta]

Hello @Ivn_Escudero66,

I believe this learning journey will help you to better understand what is possible to do with output management in the cloud:

Getting Started with SAP Forms service by Adobe | SAP Learning --> Understanding Form Data Providers 

Best regards, 

Eduarda Costa. 

[Ivn_Escudero66]

Hello,

I've already reviewed that documentation. I'm familiar with it, and it's not very helpful because it's just a simple extension, but thank you very much. Therefore, I understand that what the customer is requesting isn't possible, at least not at this time.

Do you know if SAP is planning to implement this type of extenision possible in future releases? For example, starting with 2508, service providers and forms can be created from the embedded steampunk (SAP notes 3650179 and 3355397). 

Kind Regards. 

[Ivn_Escudero66]

Thanks for your comments and links. The information is the same as the previous one, but we can't meet the customer's requirements.

[Chuma]

Hello @Ivn_Escudero66 

Only extend what the FDP shows and manage grouping within the template. If you require data not available through the FDP, consider raising an influence/incident or creating a custom app and form for your needs.

You can refer to the useful SAP documentation below.

SAP Help: Creating Data Source Extensions and Output Extensibility features you can add to forms. SAP Help Portal
SAP Learning: Understanding Form Data Providers (FDP concept). SAP Learning
App Help: Maintain Form Templates (View, Copy, Assign Templates).   SAP Help Portal
Developer extensibility context, including custom services and forms for tailored applications. SAP Community

With regards

Chuma