SAP Transaction RSDMD: A Comprehensive Guide for SAP Users

Welcome to our tutorial on SAP transaction RSDMD, a powerful transaction code used in SAP Business Warehouse (BW) module. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of using RSDMD to effectively manage data sources and extract data in your SAP system. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced SAP consultant, this tutorial will provide you with the necessary knowledge to utilize RSDMD efficiently.

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Now, let’s get started with our tutorial on using SAP transaction RSDMD.

What is SAP Transaction RSDMD?

SAP Transaction RSDMD (Data Source Maintenance) is a critical transaction code used in SAP BW to manage data sources and extract data from source systems. It allows users to create, modify, and display data sources, which serve as the foundation for data extraction and transformation in SAP BW. With RSDMD, you can seamlessly integrate data from various source systems and ensure accurate and timely reporting and analysis.

Step 1: Accessing SAP Transaction RSDMD

To start using RSDMD, follow these steps:

1. Login to your SAP system using your user ID and password.
2. Launch the SAP Easy Access Menu.
3. Navigate to the “Business Explorer” folder and expand it.
4. Locate and click on the “Business Warehouse” folder.
5. From the sub-menu, select “Metadata Repository.”
6. Next, choose “InfoSources” and click on “Create” to proceed to the RSDMD transaction.

Step 2: Understanding RSDMD Transaction Screen

Once you have accessed RSDMD, you will encounter the RSDMD transaction screen, which consists of various tabs and fields. Let’s explore each of them:

• General Data: This tab contains the main fields for entering general information about the data source, such as the data source name, description, and type.
• Data Fields: Here, you can define the structure of the data source by adding data fields and specifying their characteristics, such as data type, length, and technical properties.
• Extraction: This tab allows you to configure the extraction settings for the data source, such as the source system connection, selection criteria, and delta mechanism.
• Transfer Rules: In this tab, you can define the mapping between the source system fields and the data source fields. This mapping ensures that the data is correctly extracted and transformed.
• InfoPackage: The InfoPackage tab enables you to schedule and execute the data extraction process from the source system to the data source.
• Metadata: This tab provides an overview of the data source metadata, including its technical details and dependencies on other objects in SAP BW.

Step 3: Creating a Data Source with RSDMD

To create a data source using RSDMD, follow these steps:

1. Start by filling in the necessary fields in the “General Data” tab:

   • Data Source Name: Enter a unique name for the data source.
   • Description: Provide a brief description of the data source.
   • Data Source Type: Select the appropriate type for the data source, such as “Standard Data Source” or “Generic Data Source.”

2. Move to the “Data Fields” tab and click on “Add” to add data fields to the data source:

   • Data Field Name: Enter a name for the data field.
   • Data Type: Specify the data type of the field, such as “Character” or “Numeric.”
   • Length: Define the length of the field, based on the data type.
   • Technical Properties: Configure additional technical properties for the field, if required.

3. Proceed to the “Extraction” tab and configure the extraction settings:

   • Source System: Select the source system from which you want to extract data.
   • Selection Criteria: Define the selection criteria to filter the data during extraction.
   • Delta Mechanism: Configure the delta mechanism to ensure incremental data extraction.

4. Once you have defined the necessary details, click on the “Save” button to create the data source.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a data source using SAP transaction RSDMD.

Step 4: Exploring Additional Functionality

SAP transaction RSDMD offers various additional functionalities to streamline your data extraction and management processes. Here are some notable features you can leverage:

• Modify Data Sources: RSDMD allows you to modify existing data sources by accessing the respective data source and making the necessary changes to the fields, extraction settings, or transfer rules.
• Display Data Sources: Use RSDMD to display existing data sources by entering the data source name or other relevant criteria. This allows you to review the structure and settings of the data sources and analyze their dependencies.
• Delete Data Sources: If required, you can also delete data sources using RSDMD. Be cautious while deleting data sources, as it can impact the data extraction and reporting processes in SAP BW.
• Transport Data Sources: RSDMD supports the transport of data sources between different SAP systems. This feature ensures consistency and promotes collaboration across various BW landscapes.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have provided you with a comprehensive guide on using SAP transaction RSDMD in the SAP BW module. We covered the basics of RSDMD, explained how to create a data source, and explored additional functionalities. Remember, practice and continuous learning are essential to mastering SAP BW.

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