Custom BC set - easiest way to add 4,000 rows ?

[SAPjedi]

I have a custom Business Configuration (BC) Set that needs 4000 values.

In the Studio, it's manual.  Likewise in FineTuning.

Is there an easy way to enter 4000 values in the BC Set ?

Thanks ahead for your help !

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Tim,

One thing I've had mixed success with is actually altering my local XML project files.

You can find them in the same directory as where your Projects are stored (for example, i know that mine are in Documents->CopernicusIsolatedShell->Projects->(TENANT_ID)->(SOLUTIONID_)

You should see the your BC Set within that. If you edit it within Notepad++ or a similar editor, you'll see that it's all XML. Just add your values in (you can base your format on the other values you see).

Then save it and reopen it in the studio - you will likely see the studio recognize the values - save and activate.

To be fair, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but it's worth a try.

Alternately, you might just macro it in through the Cloud Application Studio - try AutoHotKey or something of that nature.

[SAPjedi · Accepted solution]

Interesting idea.. I assume the Studio needs to be closed.  Then I edit the XML file ?

Let me know if you know of any sequence that works...

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Tim,

Generally what I've found is i have the Studio and my solution open, but the file itself not open in the studio.

I then make the changes and open the file in the Studio.

The reason i try and start with the Studio and solution open is because the studio will sometimes try and re-synchronize your solution, which may overwrite the data you altered locally.

[SAPjedi · Accepted solution]

So I tried a simple example, and it works - in the sequence you say!   Thanks !

One should work in a separate folder doing that edit of the XML -- because the whole folder gets refreshed by the Studio !

I still have the problem of converting the Excel file of 4000 rows to the XML.

So the BCC file works like this:  The XML defines all the codes first.  Then it defines the descriptions AND re-uses the codes to match.

I know Excel can generate a XML if given a schema.

My Excel data file is just 2 columns - 1 for GRPID, and 1 for GRPDESC.

Does anyone know how to create a schema for something to generate the XML below ?

  <Parameter xmlns="">

    <ParameterID>ROOT</ParameterID>

    <ParameterValue>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPID</Header>

        <Value>0000_000000</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <isDefault>false</isDefault>

      <isDeletable>true</isDeletable>

    </ParameterValue>

    <ParameterValue>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPID</Header>

        <Value>0001_000001</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <isDefault>false</isDefault>

      <isDeletable>true</isDeletable>

    </ParameterValue>

    <ParameterValue>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPID</Header>

        <Value>0001_000002</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <isDefault>false</isDefault>

      <isDeletable>true</isDeletable>

    </ParameterValue>

    <FineTuningAdd>true</FineTuningAdd>

    <FineTuningDel>false</FineTuningDel>

  </Parameter>

  <Parameter xmlns="">

    <ParameterID>TEXT</ParameterID>

    <ParameterValue>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPID</Header>

        <Value>0000_000000</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPDESC</Header>

        <Value>D&amp;K MISC</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <isDefault>false</isDefault>

      <isDeletable>true</isDeletable>

    </ParameterValue>

    <ParameterValue>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPID</Header>

        <Value>0001_000001</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPDESC</Header>

        <Value>CORPORATE</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <isDefault>false</isDefault>

      <isDeletable>true</isDeletable>

    </ParameterValue>

    <ParameterValue>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPID</Header>

        <Value>0001_000002</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <ValueFragment>

        <Header>GRPDESC</Header>

        <Value>EDI</Value>

      </ValueFragment>

      <isDefault>false</isDefault>

      <isDeletable>true</isDeletable>

    </ParameterValue>

    <FineTuningAdd>false</FineTuningAdd>

    <FineTuningDel>false</FineTuningDel>

  </Parameter>

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Tim,

Google "XML to XSD" - there's a number of free web sites that will do this.

[Former Member]

@Dan: At that time we didn't expect any problems with a BCO concerning the number of records and it's less effort to make a BCO than a custom BO. But you are right, we can get the same result by using a custom BO. We are thinking about that at the moment...

@Tim: For generating a XML I used a text editor and an excel macro. It's some manual work, I have not tool that does it completely. Most of the XML content are constants surrounding your values, so it's possible to paste it together with a macro. If you like line breaks, you can use a XML-capable editor like Notepad++ to format it.

I didn't try 5000 records. I think it's worth to try. We just had problems with over 50000 records.

Kind regards,

Frank

[SAPjedi]

All,

I am able to get all 5000 entries into the .bcc file.

The schema method to me did not work out - too many issues. My schema was not right, and even then it would not export.

So the road that worked:

1. Break up the sample XML into 2 groups - one defined the codes.  The other defined the codes and descriptions. 

2. Export my XLS file into CSV.

3. 2. Find a CSV to XML converter online - its free. Just google.  It uses the sample XML you give and you parameterize where you need the column to go.

I had to run it twice - one to get part 1 and 2 (see #1).

4.  Do a minor edit session to paste the .BCC headers, part 1 and 2.

5. Follow the PDI steps above... and I got my 5000 entries in !

Maybe I'll blog this and add the URL back here later - next week.

[Former Member]

Hi Tim,

I tried it several times to edit the XML manually as work-around for an import to BC sets. That works, with one restriction.

We created a BC set with airport codes, that are something about 50.000 entries. After that the Studio hangs on activating. Cloud support told us not to use such large BC sets. They recommend a number of 1000 entries. That's not fine. At the moment we got no other solution for that problem.

I have another BC set with 1300 entries, that works without problems. It seems 1000 entries is not a fixed number, but with much more there may be problems.

kind regards

Frank

[Former Member]

Frank,

To what extent have you explored using a regular Business Object instead of a BCO? I think you should be able to accomplish the same functionality, though the maintenance will be different (through a Work Center / File Input instead of Business Configuration / pre-specified Values)

For the look-up, instead of relying on a code list you can use an OVS / complex query. And a regular BO should be able to handle 50,000 objects easily.

[SAPjedi]

@Frank,

Did you ever try around 5000 entries ?

How did you generate that XML ?  What tool did you use to convert to the XML ?