EasyInput product information

 

EasyInput facilitates exchanging data between MS Excel workbook and an SAP system. It connects functionalities of MS Excel and various SAP system types - ERP/ CRM/ BW/ etc.).  With one button click, one can create thousands of master data records, financial postings or, for example, purchase requisition documents. EasyInput has also the functionality to read data from an SAP transaction, BAPI interface or OData services. Thanks to its user friendly interface (only Excel), possibility to test transactions before actual run, clear message communication, support of the F4 search help for possible entry values, and many other functions, Easy Input can replace the standard SAP migration framework (LSMW or Migration Cockpit) and sometimes replace the SAP GUI/ SAP Fiori itself.

Example screen of an EasyInput workbook



To use EasyInput one has to prepare a script (or use one of the delivered example scripts). EasyInput 4.X can handle four different kinds of scripts:

Script type

Description

Pros and Cons

SAP GUI Scripts (GS)

Scripts based on SAP GUI Scripting created by SAP. This kind of scripts takes control of SAP GUI and imitates SAP GUI manual use. This is a very powerful script type, but sensible to any GUI screen changes (e.g. after upgrades or configuration changes).

SAP GUI scripting is best suited for business users’ self-service. These scripts can be easily recorded. Can handle any transaction, which can be handled with SAP GUI. Unfortunately, these scripts are easily affected by slight customizing changes or system upgrades.

Transaction Script (TR)

Scripts based on transaction recording. These scripts use batch input technique and can be used for most transactions in the SAP system.

Transaction scripts are almost as easy to record as SAP GUI scripts. Transaction scripts are slightly more resistant to customizing changes/ upgrades when comparing to SAP GUI scripts. This type of scripts cannot record some modern transactions, and some SAP GUI containers (e.g. ALV Grid).

BAPI/ Function module Scripts (FM)

Scripts based on Business Application Interface (BAPI) created by SAP for easy external integration with an SAP system. These scripts implement either BAPI methods predefined by SAP or RFC-enabled function modules.

Function scripts are mostly based on BAPI function modules. These are provided by SAP and do not change often. Therefore function scripts are usually much more resistant to customizing changes/ upgrades than transaction/SAP GUI scripts. As they require additional authorizations per function module and are more difficult to prepare, function scripts are usually developed by IT people.

OData Script (OD)

Script based on Open Data Protocol services (OData services). OData services defined in SAP or some external OData services can be used here. In S4HANA OData services are the base of SAP Fiori user interface.

OData scripts are mostly based on SAP OData services. These are provided by SAP and do not change often. Therefore OData similar to FM Scripts are usually much more resistant to customizing changes/ upgrades than transaction/SAP GUI scripts. As they require additional authorizations and are more difficult to prepare, OData scripts are usually developed by IT people.

 

See EasyInput forum to get more information on EasyInput.

 

How does EasyInput work ?

 

EasyInput product consist of several elements. The application logic is contained in EasyInput Excel Add-in. The script definition (configuration) is contained in MS Excel workbooks. These workbooks (called EasyInput workbooks) can be based either on the empty EasyInput workbook template or on one of EasyInput example workbooks.

 

EasyInput – Solution elements

 

 

EasyInput installation files contain:

         EasyInput MS Excel Add-in

         EasyInput MS Excel Template (that will be put during installation to personal templates directory, so that the user could access it later when creating new EasyInput workbook)

         EasyInput Example Workbooks (that can be either used directly or after adjustments to the user’s SAP system or can be used as a tutorial how one can create EasyInput workbooks)

         EasyInput SAP system transport (optional, for full version only; facilitates connection between SAP and Excel)

 

Additionally during installation an EasyInput shortcut is created on the desktop. It facilitates starting EasyInput (although one can start EasyInput just by starting MS Excel and use of the EasyInput ribbon menu).

 

Using EasyInput means using EasyInput workbooks. Such special workbooks are created either on the base of empty EasyInput workbook template or on the base of one of EasyInput example workbooks.

 

EasyInput workbook creation

 

 

The EasyInput workbook can be created either by IT people or by business users themselves. As creation of scripts for a selected transaction is based on recording of this transaction, it is quite straightforward. A self-training using video tutorials published on EasyInput forum should be enough to start own script creation.  After an EasyInput workbook is prepared and tested it can be reused many times with different data.

 

EasyInput workbook creation participants and EasyInput workbook use

 

To start working with EasyInput the user starts MS Excel and open any EasyInput workbook (e.g. empty EasyInput workbook template or one of the example workbooks). When Excel recognizes EasyInput workbook then additional EasyInput ribbon menu changes. EasyInput application is ready to be used (depending on EasyInput version, additional EasyInput starting, by pressing the Start button on EasyInput ribbon menu may be needed).