In today's business environment, PDF has become the most widely accepted format for document sharing and archiving. When working with SAP Smartforms, customers frequently request the output in PDF format for better compatibility and professional presentation. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of converting your Smartform output into PDF format.
Overview of the Conversion Process
The conversion from Smartform to PDF involves several key steps:
- Calling the Smartform function module
- Obtaining the OTF (Output Text Format) data
- Converting OTF to PDF format
- Selecting the file location
- Downloading the PDF file
- Opening the generated PDF
Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
Step 1: Call the Smartform Function Module
First, you need to call your Smartform's function module in your ABAP program. Use the SSF_FUNCTION_MODULE_NAME function to get the generated function module name for your Smartform.
Step 2: Configure Control Parameters for OTF Output
Set the GET_OTF parameter to 'X' in the control parameters structure (SSFCTRLOP). This ensures that the Smartform generates OTF data instead of direct output.
Step 3: Extract OTF Data
The OTF data will be available through the JOB_OUTPUT_INFO parameter in the importing section of the Smartform function module call.
Step 4: Convert OTF to PDF
Use the CONVERT_OTF_2_PDF function module to convert the OTF data into PDF format. This function takes the OTF data and returns the PDF content in binary format.
Step 5: Select File Location
You have two options for selecting where to save the PDF:
- Manual approach: Copy and paste the file path directly
- Interactive approach: Use either:
F4_FILENAMEfunction moduleFILE_OPEN_DIALOGmethod ofCL_GUI_FRONTEND_SERVICESclass
Step 6: Download the PDF File
For downloading the PDF file, you can choose between:
GUI_DOWNLOADfunction moduleGUI_DOWNLOADmethod ofCL_GUI_FRONTEND_SERVICESclass
Step 7: Open the Generated PDF
Use the EXECUTE method of CL_GUI_FRONTEND_SERVICES class to automatically open the downloaded PDF file.
Complete Code Example
*&--------------------------------------------------------------
*& Report ZAR_PDF
*&--------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT ZAR_PDF.
PARAMETERS : p_emp_id TYPE ZAR_EMPLOYEE_ID.
DATA : lv_formname TYPE TDSFNAME.
" Get Smartform function module name
CALL FUNCTION 'SSF_FUNCTION_MODULE_NAME'
EXPORTING
formname = 'ZAR_SMARTFORM_IMAGE'
IMPORTING
FM_NAME = lv_formname
EXCEPTIONS
NO_FORM = 1
NO_FUNCTION_MODULE = 2
OTHERS = 3.
DATA : ls_control TYPE SSFCTRLOP,
ls_output TYPE SSFCRESCL.
" Set control parameter to get OTF output
ls_control-getotf = 'X'.
" Call the Smartform function module
CALL FUNCTION lv_formname
EXPORTING
CONTROL_PARAMETERS = ls_control
p_emp_id = p_emp_id
IMPORTING
JOB_OUTPUT_INFO = ls_output
EXCEPTIONS
FORMATTING_ERROR = 1
INTERNAL_ERROR = 2
SEND_ERROR = 3
USER_CANCELED = 4
OTHERS = 5.
DATA : lt_docs TYPE TABLE OF DOCS,
lt_lines TYPE TABLE OF TLINE.
" Convert OTF to PDF
CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_OTF_2_PDF'
TABLES
otf = ls_output-otfdata
doctab_archive = lt_docs
LINES = lt_lines
EXCEPTIONS
ERR_CONV_NOT_POSSIBLE = 1
ERR_OTF_MC_NOENDMARKER = 2
OTHERS = 3.
DATA : lt_file TYPE TABLE OF FILE_TABLE,
lo_rc TYPE i.
" Open file dialog for location selection
CALL METHOD cl_gui_frontend_services=>file_open_dialog
CHANGING
file_table = lt_file
rc = lo_rc
EXCEPTIONS
file_open_dialog_failed = 1
cntl_error = 2
error_no_gui = 3
not_supported_by_gui = 4
others = 5.
DATA : lo_file TYPE string.
READ TABLE lt_file INTO DATA(ls_file) INDEX 1.
IF sy-subrc EQ 0.
lo_file = ls_file-filename.
ENDIF.
" Download the PDF file
CALL METHOD cl_gui_frontend_services=>gui_download
EXPORTING
filename = lo_file
filetype = 'BIN'
CHANGING
data_tab = lt_lines
EXCEPTIONS
file_write_error = 1
no_batch = 2
gui_refuse_filetransfer = 3
invalid_type = 4
no_authority = 5
unknown_error = 6
others = 24.
" Open the generated PDF file
CALL METHOD cl_gui_frontend_services=>execute
EXPORTING
document = lo_file
operation = 'OPEN'
EXCEPTIONS
cntl_error = 1
error_no_gui = 2
bad_parameter = 3
file_not_found = 4
path_not_found = 5
file_extension_unknown = 6
error_execute_failed = 7
synchronous_failed = 8
not_supported_by_gui = 9
others = 10.
Key Technical Points
Important Function Modules and Classes
SSF_FUNCTION_MODULE_NAME: Retrieves the generated function module name for your SmartformCONVERT_OTF_2_PDF: Core function for OTF to PDF conversionCL_GUI_FRONTEND_SERVICES: Comprehensive class for frontend services including file operations
Critical Parameters
GET_OTF = 'X': Essential control parameter to generate OTF outputJOB_OUTPUT_INFO: Contains the OTF data from Smartform executionFILETYPE = 'BIN': Specifies binary file type for PDF download
Best Practices and Tips
- Error Handling: Always implement proper exception handling for each function module call
- File Type: Ensure you set the file type to 'BIN' when downloading PDF files
- User Experience: Use the file open dialog to provide users with an intuitive way to select save locations
- Testing: Test the complete flow with different Smartform layouts to ensure compatibility
Common Troubleshooting
- Empty PDF: Verify that
GET_OTFis set to 'X' in control parameters - Conversion Errors: Check if the OTF data is properly populated before conversion
- File Access Issues: Ensure proper authorization for file operations on the frontend
Conclusion
Converting SAP Smartform output to PDF format is a straightforward process when you follow the systematic approach outlined above. This method provides flexibility in file location selection and ensures professional PDF output that meets modern business requirements. The combination of OTF extraction and PDF conversion creates a robust solution for document generation in SAP environments.
By implementing this solution, you can efficiently handle customer requirements for PDF output while maintaining the full formatting and layout capabilities of your Smartforms.
No comments:
Post a Comment