How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Applies to:
This document applies to SAP ECC 4.6 and above. For more information, visit the ABAP homepage.

Summary
This Article helps how to create Business Objects and Workflow. Author: V Kiran Kumar Reddy

Company: Enteg Infotech Created on: 02 July 2011

Author Bio
V Kiran Kumar Reddy is working in Enteg Infotech, Bangalore as ABAP/ Web Dynpro ABAP Developer Trainee. He is very much interested in Web Dynpro ABAP and ABAP.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 1

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Creating Business Object ................................................................................................................................... 3 Step 1: Create Business Object ...................................................................................................................... 3 Step 2: Creating Events .................................................................................................................................. 5
Creating Event Parameters .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Step 3: Creating Methods ............................................................................................................................... 8

Creating method parameters ....................................................................................................................................... 9

Step 4: Method Implementation .................................................................................................................... 12 Step 5: Releasing Business Object and its Components ............................................................................. 14
Releasing Object Type ............................................................................................................................................... 14 Releasing Object Type Components ......................................................................................................................... 15

Creating Workflow ............................................................................................................................................ 17 Step 1: Creating Workflow ............................................................................................................................ 17

Creating Attributes ..................................................................................................................................................... 18

Step 2: Registering Start Events for Workflow .............................................................................................. 21

Binding Business Object Attributes to Workflow Attributes ........................................................................................ 22 Activating Start Event for Workflow ............................................................................................................................ 24

Step 3: Creating Task ................................................................................................................................... 24 Step 4: Creating Send Mail Step ................................................................................................................... 31 Related Content ................................................................................................................................................ 35 Disclaimer and Liability Notice .......................................................................................................................... 36

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 2

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Introduction
Here I am going to explain a simple scenario to create Business objects and Workflow. Scenario: Employee enters his ID and click on a button in Web Dynpro ABAP Application which triggers Workflow and send mail with Employee ID and Employee Name to register for the Participation of Event. After Completion of this Article, You will be able to: Create Business Objects. Create Workflow.

Creating Business Object

Step 1: Create Business Object Go to SWO1 transaction and Create a Business Object.

Enter attributes: Object type, name, description, program name and application type. Click on Ok

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 3

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Enter Package name and Save it in a Package.

Note: here you should save the business object in a package else you cannot release it. Releasing Business Object is described in step 5. Business Objects Saved in Local Objects cant be released and therefore cannot be Transported across boxes (for e.g. DEV to QAS). Also note that a released Business Object means that it is free from syntax errors.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 4

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Step 2: Creating Events Place the cursor on Events Node and then click on create button.

Enter Event name and Description and Click on OK.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 5

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Creating Event Parameters Now we can see the Created Event under Events Node. Place the cursor on the Event and click on Parameters button.

In the next screen click on create.

It will prompt us to create with ABAP Dictionary field reference. Click on NO.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 6

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Enter Parameter Name and Description and click on OK.

Now we can see the Parameter which is created. Click on Save and go back to main screen.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 7

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Step 3: Creating Methods Place the cursor on methods and click on Create button.

It will prompt you to create with function module as template. Click on No.

Enter Method Name and description and under general tab Uncheck Dialog and click on OK.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 8

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Creating method parameters Now we can see the created method. Place the cursor on method and click on Parameters button.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 9

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Now in the next screen click on create button.

It will prompt you to create with ABAP Dictionary field reference. Click on No.

Enter Parameter Name, Description. Under Parameter Attributes check import Parameter. Click on OK.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 10

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Now Create an Exporting parameter for Employee ID and click on OK. (Here no need of one more exporting parameter for Employee ID, We can use im_empid. For better understanding I created one more Exporting parameter).

Similarly create an exporting parameter for Employee Name and Click on Ok. Now we can see the parameters which are created. Click on Save and go back to main screen.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 11

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Step 4: Method Implementation Place the cursor on method and click on Program button. Or Click on Check button as below.

It will prompt you to implement the method. Click on Yes so that it will generate the code automatically.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 12

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Now we can see the generated code. Now we just need to do little modification.

We need to fetch the Employee Name for the importing parameter im_empid. After Slight Modification the code looks like this.

Click on Save and go back to main screen.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 13

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Step 5: Releasing Business Object and its Components Now we can see the Business Object and its methods and Event are in Modeled State. We need to change the status to implemented and then released.

Releasing Object Type In order to release business object components first we need to release object type. Place the cursor on business object. Now go to Edit -> Change Release Status -> Object Type -> To Implemented.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 14

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Similarly Place the cursor on business object. Now go to Edit -> Change Release Status -> Object Type -> to released.

Releasing Object Type Components Place the cursor on method. Now go to Edit -> Change Release Status -> Object Type Component -> To Implemented.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 15

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Similarly Place the cursor on method. Now go to Edit -> Change Release Status -> Object Type Component -> to released.

Do the same for Event FIRE. Now we can see the object type and its Components are in released state (with tick mark beside them).

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 16

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Place the cursor on business object and click on generate button to generate the Business Object.

Creating Workflow
Step 1: Creating Workflow Go to SWDD Transaction and click on Create button to create new Workflow.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 17

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Creating Attributes Under Navigation Area Work flow container will be selected, If not select Work Flow container as shown below.

Under Workflow Container double click to create as shown below.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 18

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Enter Element Name, Description and select the created business object.

Under Properties Tab select import, export and click on Ok.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 19

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Now Double click again to create emp_id Element which stores the Employee ID. Enter attribute name, description and enter type as shown below. You can enter the data type directly by selecting ABAP dict. Data type.

Under Properties tab check import, export and click on Ok.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 20

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Similarly create one more attribute emp_name to store Employee Name.

Under Properties tab check import, export and click on Ok. Click on Save and Save the Work flow. Step 2: Registering Start Events for Workflow Click on basic data (hat symbol) as shown below.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 21

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Go to Start events Tab and select Category as BO (Business Object), Enter Business Object Name and Enter Event Name (you can select event from F4 help) as shown below.

Binding Business Object Attributes to Workflow Attributes Click on binding as shown below

Drag and drop empid from Event container to emp_id of Work Flow Container to map empid attribute of Business Object to emp_id of Work Flow Container.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 22

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Now you can see empid of Business Object is mapped with emp_id of Workflow Container. Click on OK.

Check the below process flow to understand the binding concept.

We will send the empid to Business Object from Web Dynpro ABAP

Business Object Container

Workflow container

empid

emp_id emp_name

From Web Dynpro ABAP we will pass the Employee ID to Business Object Container. Now by binding we will get the Employee ID from Business Object Container to Workflow Container.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 23

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Activating Start Event for Workflow Click on Activate as shown below.

Once activated it turns to green.

This means once the FIRE event of Business Object is triggered the Workflow will Start. Click on Save and go back to main screen. Step 3: Creating Task Double Click on the Undefined Step as shown below.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 24

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Select Activity Step and click on Ok.

Click on Create Task as shown below.

Enter abbreviation, Name. Under Object method, select Business Object. Enter Business Object Name and Method Name (You can select method from F4 help) as shown below. Under Execution Select Background Processing, since no user interaction is required for our scenario.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 25

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Click on Save and Click on Back Button. It will prompt to Transfer missing elements. Click on Yes. (You can also click on No and create elements manually).

Now Click on Ok.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 26

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Click on binding as shown below.

You can see the binding automatically exists with the matching types, since we click on yes in the above step. Here im_empid of workflow Container to im_empid of Task Container. But we have to bind emp_id of Workflow Container to im_empid of Task Container. Similarly we have to bind ex_empid of Task Container to emp_id of Workflow Container and ex_empname of Task Container to emp_name of Workflow Container.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 27

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Select the Line and Click on delete icon to delete the existing mapping as shown above. Now drag and drop emp_id from Workflow Container to im_empid of task container as shown below.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 28

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Similarly drag and drop ex_empid and ex_empname from Task Container to Workflow Container as shown below.

Now we can see the Required Mapping. Click on Ok.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 29

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Check the below process flow to understand the binding concept.

Workflow container

Task container

emp_id emp_name

im_empid ex_empid ex_empname

We mapped emp_id of Workflow Container to im_empid of Task Container. It means we are passing Employee ID from Workflow Container to Task Container, which calls SEND_VALUE method of Business Object, In which we are fetching Employee Name and exporting Employee ID and Employee Name.

Now from Task Container we are passing ex_empid to emp_id of Workflow Container and ex_empname to emp_name of Workflow Container.

Now Click on Transfer Button.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 30

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Step 4: Creating Send Mail Step Now we can see the Created Task. Click on Create as shown below to create the Mail Step.

Select Send Mail Step and Click on Ok as shown below.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 31

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Enter Subject and Click on insert expression to insert Value as shown below.

Select EMP_ID (which holds Employee ID) and click on Ok.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 32

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Enter the Body of Mail and click on insert expression under body to insert Value.

Now Click on transfer button.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 33

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Enter abbreviation and Name and click on Ok.

Now the Work Flow looks like this.

Now Our Workflow is ready. In the next part How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP - Part 2 we will see how to create Web Dynpro ABAP Application and Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 34

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Related Content
How to Create Business Objects Workflow Programming - SAP Help Web Dynpro ABAP Integration of Workflow with Web Dynpro ABAP Web Dynpro ABAP homepage For more information, visit the ABAP homepage

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 35

How to Trigger Workflow from Web Dynpro ABAP Part 1

Disclaimer and Liability Notice

This document may discuss sample coding or other information that does not include SAP official interfaces and therefore is not supported by SAP. Changes made based on this information are not supported and can be overwritten during an upgrade. SAP will not be held liable for any damages caused by using or misusing the information, code or methods suggested in this document, and anyone using these methods does so at his/her own risk. SAP offers no guarantees and assumes no responsibility or liability of any type with respect to the content of this technical article or code sample, including any liability resulting from incompatibility between the content within this document and the materials and services offered by SAP. You agree that you will not hold, or seek to hold, SAP responsible or liable with respect to the content of this document.

SAP COMMUNITY NETWORK 2011 SAP AG

SDN - sdn.sap.com | BPX - bpx.sap.com | BOC - boc.sap.com | UAC - uac.sap.com 36