Search Help details and types

Search helps are dictionary objects that we develop to compile a set of valid values for users. ( Search helps replace the functionality of match codes in the previous releases of SAP R/3. Match codes are obsolete now and we should therefore only learn about Search Helps)

All throughout SAP, users must enter values into onscreen fields.  These requested inputs often are numerical codes and ID's, or abbreviations.  Acceptable values might not be immediately evident, or the user might have forgotten the necessary input. 

The user has 2 paths of help available, hitting the F1 function key (which displays documentation,), and hitting the F4 function key, which displays valid values.

Sometimes a list of valid values will appear when you hit F4, even if a search help was not defined for that field.  These valid values come from the domain that is attached to the field.  If we invoke a search help, we will see its results, not those from the domain valid values.  Whether a search help is available or not depends on whether the programmer has attached one to the field.

Search helps can return more than just the original search field to the screen.

To create search helps go to SE11 T-code.

Select the radio button of search help.

 

Provide the search help name. Select the create button. 

 

Select ELEMENTARY search help.

 

Press Enter. 

Provide the short description, the selection method.

Provide the fields.

Save it, Check It & Activate it.

Then execute it.

We can see the screen like this, and then press F4 in this page.

Then press F4 View the output like this.

This is the output for elementary search help.

The Collective Search Help is like this. 

Goto T-Code Se11.

Provide name. Select collective search help button.

Press enter.

Provide the Values

Select include search help.

Then provide search help name, which is already define by the same fields.

Parameter assignment

Then save it, activate it & execute it. 

Press F4 we can see the output like this.