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former_member182098
Active Contributor

Legacy System Migration Workbench (LSMW) is handy tool for data uploads. In most of the big projects there is a separate development / data migration team is available. However, at times, it would be responsibility of the functional consultant to load the data such as vendor master, customer master and asset master etc. It would be real handy for a functional consultant to know LSMW (at least recording method) and it would help them to successfully complete the task. Hope this document would help many of our functional consultants, as I am seeing number of questions around LSMW. The simple rule is: Follow this document and practice is for number of times possible, then you will become master.

Go to Transaction Code "LSMW" and follow the following steps:

 

Give some Unique name for Project, Subproject and Object. Click Create (Shift+F1). Now execute or press CTRL+F8.

 

Give the description for Project, Sub Project and Object and say OK. Now execute or press CTRL+F8.

Select Maintain Object Attributes and Execute (CTRL+F8)

  

Click Display / Change (it will make you to change). Select the Radio Button Batch Input Recording. Now click on  “Goto” –
Recordings Overview. Click on Create Recording (Ctrl+F1).

Click OK

 

Give Required Transaction Code (In this case it is FK01)

Create Vendor or Make changes for Entering Withholding tax details in the Vendor.

Press Enter

C

Press Enter

Click on Save Button.

Recording is saved now. Click on “Default All” Button.

Click
Ctrl+Y, a + will come. With this, you can drag and copy whatever you want.  In case if any field is appearing twice you
need to change the field name by double clicking on that. Otherwise, your uploading will get failed.

  

Copy
the fileds to an excel file. 

Remove the Blank Rows.

Now the field name and descriptions are in one Column. I.e., “A”. You need to
segregate that. To do that, select Column “A” and Select in Excel “Data” – Text
to Column as shown in the following graph.

Now Select the fixed with and say “Next”.

Select Fixed Width and click next.

Keep columns wherever you want by clicking.

Now say Next and then again say “Finish”. Now all fields and texts are divided into two Columns.

Now copy the fields and texts as shown in the Sheet1 (Ctrl+C)

Go
to Sheet2

  

Keep
the cursor in the Sheet 2 (A1) and then

  

Edit,

 

Paste
Special

 

Check
in Transpose as shown below and say OK.

Now all your rows will become your columns as shown in the blow Screen.

 

Now
fill the required details exactly as shown below. You should note that you have
to enter ‘0001 for payment method instead of 0001, since if you straight enter
0001 it will become 1, therefore you must ensure whenever it is starting with
“0” should be preceded with ‘.

Now
select the whole sheet2.

  

Remove
all grids.

No colors should be there in the sheet.

No letter should be typed in different colors. All are in normal color only.

Keep the columns to “LEFT” Margin.

 

Now,

Format
=> Cells => Number => General as shown in the following screenshot.

Now say OK.

Now copy the whole Sheet2 and paste it in the Sheet3.   Then
delete the header rows as shown below:

Save
this file to your Hard Disk with a simple name. In this case I saved as Vendor.

 

Now
go to “SAVE AS” in Excel, and

Save
as Text (Tab Delimited) as shown in the above screen shot.

Click on OK button as shown below.

Click on "YES" button as shown below.

Now, Click on "NO" button as shown below.

Press F3 or Click on Back Button.

Now, Click on "YES" to save.

You will reach the below screen.

Again, press F3 or click on back Button.

Click
F4 in the Recording Button, your structure will be populated. In this case it
is “VENDRECO”.

 

Now click on Save on Ctrl+S to save your recording.

 

After saving your recording click Back button or press Ctrl+F3 to go back.

Now you will observe that few steps have been disappeared. Only few steps are left
out. This is because of the recording mode that you have been selected. Ideally
there should not be any Idoc related steps should be visible.

 

Now Step1 is being completed and the system automatically takes you to second step.
Now press CTRL+F8 or Executed.

Click on Display / Change Button or press Ctrl+F1

Now create a Structure by clicking “Create Structure” or Ctrl+F4.

Give Source Structure Name and Description

Your Source Structure Name and Description is shown. Click on Save button

 

Now Press F3 or Click back button to go back.

  

Now the second step is completed and system automatically takes you to third step.

Click CTRL+F8 or Press Execute Button, which will take to maintain source fields.

Click on Display / change as shown above OR press Ctrl+F1.

Now press on Table Maintenance as shown above by keeping your cursor on the Source
Structure (in blue color in the above screen shot).

Copy those Fields from Sheet1 and copy it here. (from your excel file)

In case if your fields are came twice in recording, none of the field should be
similar. As already advised that change the field names to different field
names. Whatever, field names that you have changed in the structure should also
appear here. Meaning that in case these fields does not map with your changed
fields in your Structure, uploading will fail.

Enter the Field Type as “C” – Characteristic and Length as 60. If you know the length
enter the exact length. If you do not enter the maximum length 60. You should
not enter the length less than the actual length of the field.

  

Say “Save”.

Press "Enter". Save the results and Press
F3 or Click on back button to go back.

Now Click Save in this screen and again press F3 to go back.

Now system will automatically takes you to fourth screen.

Click CTRL+F8 or Click on Execute Button.

Select the Structure and click on Display / change button or press Ctrl+F1

Click on Relationship (Ctrl+F4)

Though
it is customary step, you should go to this step. And say OK for the message
that the system has issued. “A source structure is already assigned to target
structure VENDRECO”.

  

Now press Save and PressF3 or Click on back button to go back.

 
It will take you to the next screen automatically.

Press CTRL+F8 or Click on Execute Button.

In the above screen, select the structure and then click display / change or (Ctrl+F1).

  

Again Select the Structure,

Go select the auto filed mapping as showing above in the above screen shot.

Say “OK” with this 50 number screen. Do not make any changes.

Keep on Pressing “Accept Proposal” for all the proposal as shown above.

Your entire field mapping should appear as above. Each field should have four rows as above.

Once it is being completed the system issues a statement that “Auto Field Mapping is completed”

Click Save (Ctrl+S) and go back (F3).

 

Nothing to do with “Maintain Field Values, Transactions, User Defined Routines”

Now Go to “Specify Files” Screen Manually and press “Ctrl+F8” or Execute Button.

 

Select the first row and click on Display / change Button.

Now Click on Add Entry “Ctrl+F2” as shown above.

Select the “TEXT (Tab Delimited)” file that you have already created and say Open.

Your file has come and Enter some relevant “Name”

Select “Tabulator” Radio Button and say OK.

Now Save (Ctrl+S) and press F3 or Back Button to go back.

 

Now the system will take you to next step i.e., “Assign Files”. Press Ctrl+F8 or
press Execute Button.

Select Source Structure (as shown in blue colour above) and press Display / Change
Button (Ctrl+F1).

Click on Assignment  (Ctrl+F2)

Though it is a customary step, you need to visit this step compulsory. The system will
issue a message stating that “A file has already been assigned to source
structure “VENDOR_RECORDING”. Say Ok.
 

Click on Save (Ctrl+S) and Press F3 or click on back button.

The system will take you to next step i.e., “Read Data”. Click on Execute or Press Ctrl+F8.

Remove the Checks for

Value
Fields -> 1234.56

Date
Value -> YYYYMMDD as shown above. There should not be any check in the above
two check boxes.

 

Now
Click on Execute (F8)

The system will tell that total 8 records are being read.

  

Now Click on Back Button or press F3 TWICE, which will take you to initial screen.

Now the system takes you to next step “Display Read Data”

Click on Execute or Press Ctrl+F8.

Here you give the number of lines in your text file and say OK.

Click on Any one row and see whether the fields in SAP and columns in your Text File
are matching.

Once you are satisfied that everything is matching and going fine, press F3 or Click
on Back button TWICE, which will take you to initial screen.

Now you are automatically in “Convert Data” Screen.

  

PressCtrl+F8 or Click on Execute Button.

Just press F8 or Execute Button.

The following screen will appear. See the screen and press Back Button (F3) twice,
which will take you to initial screen.

Now the system will automatically takes you to “Display Converted Data”.

  

Press Ctrl+F8 or Click on Execute Button.

Enter the number of lines From 1 to 8 in this case, to see how it is showing in
Converted Data and Say Ok. (Click on Rite Tick).

Click on any one of the converted data line and see how the data is going.

If you are satisfied that everything is going fine, then Click on Go back button
(F3) TWICE, which will take you to initial screen.

You will be automatically taken to “Create Batch Input Session”.

   

Click Ctrl+F8 or press “Execute” Button.

Select "Keep Batch input Folder(s)?

 

Just Click on Execute Button (F8).

One Batch input session will be created. The system will state that “1 batch input
folder with 8 transactions created” will be issued. Say OK. (Click Right),
which will take you to initial screen.

Click Ctrl+F8 or Press on Execute Button.

Now you are in SM35 Screen. Select the line that is being created to upload and
press Execute (F8) button as shown above.

Select “Background” Radio Button.

Check in:

 

Extended log

Expert Mode

Dynpro Standard Size

As shown above and the click on “Process” button.

See the log and click on Line, if there are any problems in your log.

   

Click on back button (F3) to come out of the session FOUR TIME, which will take you
to Easy Access Screen.

 

Go to Report
“S_ALR_87012086”

Now You are Viewing the vendor records that you are uploaded. You can also follow
the same steps for Change also.

Please let me know if you have any doubts.

294 Comments
Former Member
0 Kudos

hi

thanks for sharing this document

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi Ravi,

Thank's for sharing this ,it's very useful & detailed explanation .Expecting some documents form your's as like this.once again thank's for your Handwork.

Regards,

Murali

former_member219532
Discoverer
0 Kudos

Very helpful thank you ravisankar.venna

Asmaa-Lojelis

Former Member
0 Kudos

hi jurgen,

i have followed all the same process mentioned above to create a material master but i cannot see materials in my material list.

i have completed all the process but there was no log error also but how to see the materials created as i have followed all the process.

Former Member
0 Kudos

hi ravi,

i have followed all the same process mentioned above to create a material master but i cannot see materials in my material list.

i have completed all the process but there was no log error also but how to see the materials created as i have followed all the process.

JL23
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

I don't know what you mean by "..in my material list" there are many many steps and as well many check points  on the way. Are you sure you have loaded anything from your source? Are you sure you have converted something? Are you sure your batch input has some suitable data? Are you certain there was no error message somewhere?

I wrote a blog why a recording method is not  suitable for material master: Explained issues with LSMW recording for material master

This does not mean it is impossible, it can be used for training purpose and some real basic materials but it is not practical in real life. Recording method has anyway reached its end of life since you can't record a Fiori App in S4/HANA.

Step by step guides are good if you follow them exactly, but if there is not much background explained why you do this and that then you can only follow exactly or you do trial and error.

More explanation for each step and how to validate the data can be found in my blog LSMW Material master by BAPI method - Part 1

former_member182098
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

Material master at times wouldn't work in background. Please rerecord and execute in the foreground in the last step.

Former Member
0 Kudos

Ok thanks i will execute in the foreground in the last step.

one more question in the first step which object type and import method  for material master i should choose :

1.Std batch/ Direct input or

2.Batch input recording

Thank you.

Regards,

Revs

Former Member
0 Kudos

SUPERB...:)

i learnt LSMW only by following this article..:)

Regards

Anuj Kumar

former_member182098
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

It should be batch input recording

JL23
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

As said, recording is the wrong approach for material master. Better use the SAP given standard, which is either batch/direct input, IDOC or BAPI method, they all work pretty well, no need for an own recording.

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi! I wish I had read this post sooner, It's really helpful.

I managed to successfully complete an LSMW but in a trial and error way. The thing is I did it in a PER client that was created only to test data uploads and now I have to do it in the real PER client and I don't know if I should transfer the project to that client or if all changes done to the project are already there? I really need you help! Thank you in advance.

former_member191939
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

Hi Lorena,

You can always move your LSMW to from PER client to real PER client,now the call is yours.

If your LSMW is working fine in PER client then you can move it to real PER, for doing this you

need to click on extras and Export the LSMW and then you need to import the same in real PER client and if you think your LSMW in PER is not up to the mark then you can create another LSMW in PER and same can be moved to real PER or else you can create the LSMW in real PER directly,choice is entirely your's.

Hope this will make the things clear at your end.

Regards

Eugene

0 Kudos

Document is very helpful for being a Functional consultant because I have upload number of Master data in my current project without any coding.

thanks Ravi

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi Eugene! Thank you for answering. I finally realized LSMW is a "workbenck", which means  the pojects are cross-client and, I don't have to export and import them. They're already there.

former_member182098
Active Contributor
0 Kudos

You may need to export and import the LSMW as advised by Ranu. In such case you don't need to record again. Just start from the step load your file.

Former Member
0 Kudos

Hi,

You make LSMW looks very easy. Thanks for the details and step by step insights. :smile:

Regards

Sachin

Former Member
0 Kudos

Great Material!!

Former Member
0 Kudos
Hello Ravi,  I did not understand the last step : Go to Report “S_ALR_87012086” . How can I view the records I have uploaded ? I am a newbie in SAP.
yuvarajsanga
Explorer
A very good blog
Former Member

What a nice blog – thank you for sharing this detailed manual.

I’m trying to adapt this manual to my needs but I’m kind of stucked.
Is there a way to use LSMW to create PPMs (/SAPAPO/SCC03) or the best solution would be to change the bucket consumption of a resource within the PPM (also /SAPAPO/SCC03).

I think the problem is that I have to use the mouse to navigate inside the TA and I not just can use ‘return’ or any other shortcut to get where I want . Dear community, do you have any idea / best practice or something else ?

Thank you in advanced!!!

 

 

Former Member
0 Kudos
Dear Ravi garu,

 

I'm really happy the way you provided the step by step process i have become master in LSMW in my entire organisation, though there are 7 to 8 years experience guys are in my org.

Just now i have uploaded a report for 5000 assets in production successfully.

Thank you so much for you valuable knowledge.

 

Regards,

Chandra B

bestachandra@gmail.com
kamil2
Explorer
0 Kudos
Mr Ravi,

Thanks a lot! This manual served me to upload costcenters massively and it worked! I work only few months as a SAP Specialist, but this gave me understanding on how LSMW works.

best regards,

Kamil Kosiorowski
0 Kudos
Excellent...Mr. Ravi

Many thanks

Farhan

 
former_member531440
Discoverer
0 Kudos
Very good Mr. Ravi

I am having error in Batch Input (last step)

Select at least one view  SAPLMGMM

Pls. share Demo with view
JL23
Active Contributor
0 Kudos
Unfortunately you made the mistake that was only discovered in the last step already in the first step.

Personal defaults like view selection is no recorded, as a usual scenario would be that a developer creates the recording (BDC) and a user executes it, and it cannot be assumed that any user has the same personal settings.

Further is a recording for a full blown material master in most cases insufficient as different material types have different views, and fields in the view depend on other chosen values.

Kindly search for similar question e.g. using Google with this search term: "Select at least one view" lsmw site:sap.com

and see this blog that explains even more pitfalls with material master recording.
former_member531440
Discoverer
0 Kudos
Thank you Jurgen
former_member528786
Discoverer
0 Kudos
Hi Mr. Ravi

Helpful document....

Thank you so much for uploading such documents....

 
Former Member
0 Kudos
please i want to know thing about LSMW i want to know how i change material description by using LSMW for more than one in the same time, thanks
georges_hivert
Explorer
Many thanks Ravi for this useful tutorial 😉
fawadtung
Participant
Hey Ravi,

 

Super detailed blog, but i need to upload data for asset (ABUMN), how to handle the similar fields like ANLN1 is used for the asset from which the value / qty is to be transferred and ANLN1 is field where the value / qty is to be posted. How to handle this in LSMW
former_member182098
Active Contributor
0 Kudos
Please try "Partial Transfer" Tab, where these fields are available.

Sometimes, it will not work in background, try in foreground.
fawadtung
Participant
0 Kudos
Dear Ravi,

 

The issue was resolved by making some changes in the recording fields.
darshansap
Participant
Hello Ravi,

 

Thanks so much for the detailed document, really helpfull

 

Cheers

Darshan Desai
0 Kudos
Great help. Thank you very much
giriaha
Explorer
0 Kudos
Thank you ...this blogs helps lot.

 

 
former_member671836
Discoverer
0 Kudos
Thanks to Ravi Shankar venna

Really very much helpful information
thej001
Explorer
0 Kudos
Thanks Ravi,

It helped me a lot.
sharathkrishnan
Discoverer
0 Kudos

7.5 Years down, this blog still helps. Thanks Ravi! I was able to create an LSMW in the APO system using the process.

former_member679035
Discoverer
0 Kudos
Great Post! Thank you.

My LSMW to update cost center addresses is giving me grief. When I record the update and press enter nothing happens. I tried forcing to come out of the recording but when I execute the batch job I get the "Leave to transaction"  is not allowed in batch input. error message. So I tried re recording it. The same thing happens, the recording doe snot end after saving. Do you know how I can overcome this issue?
bhavnesh_kumar5
Explorer
0 Kudos
Thanks to Ravi Shankar venna

Really very much helpful information

Very Nice and well drafted. It helped alot.
Patbelanger
Explorer
0 Kudos

Very good documentation, clear and well defined.  it helped a lot.

 

Thanks!

0 Kudos

Can you explain what those two checkboxes mean in the "read data" section?

vaishalisdfcc
Discoverer
0 Kudos
This is very helpful for every functional consultant Thankyou for this valuable post
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