SAP Logon and Basic Navigation

1. Distinguish a connection from a user session

2. Recognize display and change transactions

3. Use /n and /o correctly

SAP Logon stores the list of systems you can connect to. A connection name is not the same as your user account. After choosing a system connection, you reach its login screen. Your system team provides required details such as the server, system number or router information. Do not guess these values. Fields depend on the connection type. This lesson uses SAP GUI; web-based SAP Fiori applications can have a different login and navigation experience.

System connection → Sign in → SAP Easy Access

• Connection: which system will be opened?

• User: who is signing in?

• Client: which client will be used?

Easy Access provides the menu tree, favorites and command field. The menu groups functions by business area. Favorites give faster access to frequently used transactions; they do not create a separate copy of a transaction. Enter a transaction code in the command field to open a function without navigating the tree. Seeing a menu item does not always mean you can perform the action: authorization is checked separately. The appearance can differ by theme, SAP GUI version and company menu.

• Menu: find a function by business area

• Favorites: organize frequent transactions

• Command field: open by transaction code

01:25 · Easy Access menu and work area

A transaction code opens a specific function. For material master data, MM01 creates, MM02 changes and MM03 displays. For equipment, the corresponding codes are IE01, IE02 and IE03. These examples follow a 01/02/03 pattern, but not all SAP transaction codes do. If a field cannot be changed, first check whether you are in display mode. Opening a change transaction may still not be enough: authorization, field status and system rules may restrict changes.

• MM01 / MM02 / MM03: material master data

• IE01 / IE02 / IE03: equipment

• IW31 / IW32 / IW33: maintenance order

01:56 · The command field used for a transaction

If you do not know the equipment number, use the search-help button beside the field. Narrow the search using the available criteria. Search tabs may differ between systems. A very broad search can take time and return many records with similar descriptions. When selecting a result, check the equipment number and relevant location, not only the description. Search help finds an existing record; it does not create new equipment.

• 1. Choose a useful search criterion
• 2. Narrow the results and verify the identity
• 3. Select and display the record

03:00 · Search help for an equipment record

Inside a transaction, use the /n prefix in the command field to switch to another one. For example, /nIE03 ends the current transaction and opens equipment display. /nIL03 opens functional location display. Entering only /n ends the current transaction. Check unsaved changes before leaving: this command is not a save action. Do not assume the new screen will automatically open the previous record. Check the information required by the new screen.

• /nIE03: display equipment in the same session

• /nIL03: display a functional location in the same session

• /n: end the current transaction

04:46 · Switching transactions in the current session

To compare two records, you can open another session instead of closing the current screen. Enter /oIE03 to open equipment display in an additional session; /o opens session management. The system can limit the number of sessions. Shortcuts shown in the lesson, such as Ctrl+F for Find and Ctrl+N for a new session, depend on the SAP GUI type, operating system and focused area. Learn the menu option too. Find searches text in the relevant list or screen; it is not always a search of the whole SAP database.

Aynı oturum / Same session → Yeni oturum / New session

• F1: help for the focused field

• F4: value or search help in supported fields

• Find: search in the current list or area

03:30 · Reading the current session and screen

1. Display equipment with IE03. Find its number and description without changing the record.

2. Write commands to open IL03 in the same session and IE03 in another session.

3. Give two possible reasons why a field cannot be changed from MM03.

1. Use a record in your organization’s training system. Expected result: the correct equipment opens in display mode and no change is saved.

2. /nIL03 and /oIE03. The first ends the current transaction; the second opens an additional session.

3. MM03 is a display transaction. Even in change mode, authorization or field rules may restrict editing.

SAP Logon: A list of system connections

SAP Easy Access: Navigation screen with menus and favorites

Transaction code: A short code that opens a function

Search help: Help for finding an existing record or value

Session: A separate SAP working session

Enes Alku · ERPHub · SAP PM 03

SAP reference