How Can I Add an Entry to an SAP Table?

Last Update: 8.8.2023

In principle, there are several ways to add an entry to an SAP table. One is in the form of standardized transactions (for example, VOE4 for editing the EDPAR table) or using maintenance transactions such as SM30. However, both options are not always available. Either there is no separate transaction for maintaining a table or no maintenance dialog has been created for a particular table. This often occurs with Z tables.

Sometimes it can be useful to add a few entries to a table quickly for test purposes, so that a particular functionality can be tested. One possibility is presented below. This type of data change should only be performed on test systems and not on production environments. In most cases, however, this is prevented anyway by the lack of access to the corresponding transactions in production environments.

Add entry to an existing SAP table

Option A): Using the standard transaction SE16 or SE16n

This option is the “cleanest” approach, but is only available if a maintenance dialog is created for the table and table processing is allowed. To check whether there is a maintenance dialog, call transaction SE11, enter the table name and press F8. Click on “Delivery and Maintenance” to display the editing option.

Transaction SE11

If “Display/Maintenance Allowed with Restrictions” or “Display/Maintenance Not Allowed” is activated, only options B), C) or D) come into consideration – see below.

If “Display/Maintenance Allowed” is activated, however, entries can be created using transaction SE16 or SE16n. To change existing entries, you can use transaction SM30, for example.

Transaction SE16

The newer transaction SE16n provides its own maintenance dialog, which can be called via “View Maintenance”. You can use this to change existing entries and create new entries.
Transaction SE16n

Option B) Via transaction SE37

If it is not possible to add entries by default using transaction SE16, the following approach can also be chosen.

First, open transaction SE37 and choose the function module SE16N_INTERFACE. Then start the dialog with F8 or by clicking on “Test/Execute”.

If it is not possible to access transaction SE37, continue with option C or D (see below).

Transaction SE37

The following dialog will then open.

Transaction SE37: Detail view

In the first line, instead of <THE_TABLE_NAME>, enter the name of the table for which new entries are to be added. Enter an X for each of the parameters I_EDIT and I_SAPEDIT. Then execute with F8.

This opens the selected table and new entries can be added with the function “New entry”. Furthermore, existing entries can also be changed very easily.

MARA table Example

The tabular display allows easy editing, as seen in programs like Excel, for example.

Option C): Using transaction SE16 with debug mode

In the first step, start transaction SE16 and select the desired SAP table. Then press F8 to execute the transaction so that the individual table entries are displayed.

Transaction SE16: List view

Double-click on one of the existing SAP table entries to open the detailed view of an entry.

Transaction SE16: Detail view of an entry

Then enter “/h” in the command field to start the debug mode. Click once more in the command field and press Enter to start a debug session.

Debug Mode

The ABAP code under the transaction then opens. Double-click on the variable “code” in the ABAP code (left arrow). Then change the value of the variable in the right-hand window to “EDIT” (for editing) or “INSR” (for inserting) and confirm with Enter.

Debug mode to change a variable

Then press F8 to finish the code. The entry can now be edited or a new entry can be added.

Option D): Using transaction SE16N with debug mode

Start transaction SE16n, enter SAP table name and press F8.

SE16n: Table selection

Start the debug mode in the detail view by entering /h in the command field. Then press Enter again in the command field to start a new debug session. In the debug session, add the following two variables, set the value to “X” and finish the execution with F8.

GD-SAPEDIT
GD-EDIT

SE16n: Add new variables

The entries can now be edited or a new entry can be added.

SE16n: New entry

Any questions?

We’ve got lots of helpful “how to” articles on our blog. Simply visit our blog homepage and click on the “how to guides” tab to see them all.

Do you still have questions about SAP or EDI? Get in touch with us – we are always happy to help!

SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA are the trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE or its affiliates in Germany and in several other countries.

Subjects

SAP ERP

Stay up to date with the latest news on EDI, B2B integration and e-invoicing Follow us on LinkedIn

Back to overview

most read

Keep on reading

2 minute read

How to End Another User's SAP Session

Unable to edit a crucial document in SAP® because you're locked out? Learning how to end another user's SAP session will solve this issue.

3 minute read

Finding Translations for SAP® Terminology

Using the correct translations for SAP® terminology is important in international projects. Discover how to find these quickly.

2 minute read

How to Save an IDoc Parser Report to a Local File

In this short and simple guide we show you how to save an IDoc parser report to a local file in just a couple of easy steps.

6 minute read

How to Debug SAP Message ME161 - "The Notified Quantity Exceeds the Ordered Quantity"

Don't know how to fix SAP error message ME161 "The notified quantity exceeds the ordered quantity"? In this article we break it down.

3 minute read

ecosio to Host SAP/EDI Workshop at UKISUG Connect 2021

ecosio is exhibiting and running an SAP/EDI workshop at this year's UKISUG Connect conference. Find out what attendees can enjoy at the event.

6 minute read

SAP® EDI Project Roles - A Breakdown

Learn the various EDI project roles involved in achieving successful EDI integration in SAP systems and how the different roles interact.

10 minute read

Alternative Solutions for EDI Data Exchange with SAP PI

Many companies use SAP PI to enable data exchange between a given SAP ERP system and its connecting systems. Discover the options available.

6 minute read

How do I Implement EDI with SAP Integration Suite®?

EDI with SAP Integration Suite®: take over internally yourself or hire a fully managed EDI service provider? In this article we explore the positives and negatives of these approaches.

3 minute read

How to create an SAP transaction code

Want to know how to create an SAP transaction code for an existing ABAP program so that you can easily call the program?

9 minute read

Alternative Solutions for EDI Data Exchange with SAP PI and SAP PO

Discover the three possibilities when it comes to implementation of electronic data interchange (EDI) in SAP Process Integration or SAP Process Orchestration (SAP PI/PO).

6 minute read

How to Set Up and Manage Automatic SAP Jobs

SAP jobs can be used to automate processes in SAP ERP so they can be carried out without user intervention. We explore the key features.

4 minute read

IDoc Status Change in SAP ERP

IDoc statuses are not always the clearest - particularly when errors occur. In this article we explain how to change IDoc status as required.