2/17/25, 10:57 AM SAP ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 1 | SAP Interview Questions and Answers

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SAP ALE IDocs interview questions and answers
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Part 1
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SAP Webdynpro … 41
ALE IDocs in SAP
BDC Interview Q… 28

ALE IDocs in SAP is a lot about configuration and a lot about Tcodes . So if you
SAP ALE IDocs i… 48
have worked on at least one end to end scenario in ALE IDocs in SAP , you
probably already have answers to a lot of questions.
SAP Webdynpro … 49
Cheers!!
SAP Web Dynpro… 38
But if you haven't , make sure you do this exercise. There are plenty of step by
step guides to ALE IDocs available on the internet . Make sure you read one
understand it all the way . Sending IDoc from client 800 to say client 810 on the
same server is easy . If possible ,Try an exercise in which you send an IDoc
from one system to another system.

Lets get started . Hope you get some value in these pages :)

Question 1: What is ALE ?

ALE stands for Application Link Enabling. As it's name indicates , it links two
systems.
ALE is a technology that can enable exchange of data between two different
Systems ( Sap - Sap OR Sap - Non Sap). ALE technology enables distributed
yet integrated installation of SAP systems.
ALE architecture comprises of 3 layers :

Application layer refers to the application data ( SD , MM , FI or data for any

SAP application ) . In this layer the data is collected to be distributed and then
sent to the distribution layer.

Distribution layer determines to whom should the data generated by the

application layer has to be distributed i.e. it is in the distribution layer that the
recipient is determined , the data is formatted or filtered and then an actual is
created.

Communication layer takes the responsibility of delivering the Idoc to the

receiving system and communicates to the receiving system via tRFC , File ports
, FTP or TCP/IP etc.

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ALE uses IDoc as a vehicle to transfer data between two systems.

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Question 2: WhatSmartforms
is EDI ?
EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It refers to the electronic exchange
SAP ABAP Intervi… 40
of business data in a structured format between two systems. The EDI
subsystem generally converts the Idoc data into one of the many EDI formats
SAP ABAP Intervi… 93 and generates an EDI file in an X12 format. The middleware then translates the
X12 file to an IDOC format and the IDOC is sent to the SAP system.
SAP Webdynpro … 41

Question 3: What is an Idoc? What is IDoc Type? What is an IDoc Extension

BDC Interview Q… 28
?
An IDoc (Intermediate document) is a vehicle that is used to transfer data from one
SAP ALE IDocs i… 48 system to another.
IDoc is not a technology of some sort , but it is just a container that holds data .
SAP Webdynpro … 49 It holds data in a structured format i.e. in the Fields of the Segments.

IDoc Type vs. IDoc:

SAP Web Dynpro… 38
An IDoc Type is nothing but a collection of one or more structures defined in a
system with specific fields. It does not hold Data.
However, an IDoc is something that holds the values in the fields of the structure
defined by IDOC type.

The transaction code to view an IDoc type (Basic and extension) is WE30.
Examples: ORDERS04, DEBMAS04, MATMAS04, CREMAS04.
These are all SAP standard Basic IDoc Types.

You can even have an IDoc extension in which you can use the existing Basic IDoc
type and add extra segments and fields to it. Usually we extend an IDoc when the
standard SAP IDoc type is not able to cater to the business process.

Question 4: What are the types of records in SAP ALE Idocs and where is this
information stored ?
There are three types of records in SAP ALE Idocs:
Control Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in standard
table EDIDC.
Data Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in standard
table EDIDD.
Status Records: Control record information for an IDoc is stored in standard
table EDIDS.

Question 5: What is an Idoc status? What are the different types of Idoc
statuses that you know ?
When an IDoc is sent from one system to another , it goes through variuos
stages.The IDoc status indicates the stage that the Idoc in currently in.
There about 75 IDoc statuses.There is no way you can remember those all .
Don't even try to ! You will probably remember only those on which you have
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worked .
SAP Interview Questions and Answer…
But here are a few that you should know:
0-49 indicates an Outbound IDoc and 50-75 as Inbound IDoc.
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01 IDoc generated
SAP ABAP Intervi… 40
02 Error passing data to port
03 Data passed to port OK
SAP ABAP Intervi… 93
51 Application document not posted
SAP Webdynpro … 41 52 Application document not fully posted
53 Application document posted

BDC Interview Q… 28

Question 6: What is a Port ? What are the types of Ports ?

SAP ALE IDocs i… 48 A port is a communication channel through which Messages can be sent or
received in SAP .
SAP Webdynpro … 49 The sender and the receiver both specify the port through which they will
communicate.

SAP Web Dynpro… 38

The common port types are the TRFC Port and the File Port.
If both sender and receiver mention TRFC ports, data is exchanged via RFC
connections.
If however , a file port is mentioned , the IDOC is written in a flat file at the
specified location at the sender system.Then a FTP transfer should be done
from that location to the receiver system or a Middleware that will send the file to
the receiver system.

The transaction to maintain ports is WE21.

Question 7: What is a Message type and Idoc Type ? What is

the difference between Message type and an IDoc type?
A Message type and an IDoc type are closely related . In fact, you will find that a
Message type is always associated with an IDoc type.Whereas an IDoc type is a
detailed version with all the segments and fields , a Message type is used just to
specify the kind of information that a system can send or receive to or from
another system.

So If system SAP1 has a Partner Profile where it specifies MATMAS as an

outbound message type , it just means that SAP1 can send material master data
to say system SAP2.

If system SAP1 has a Partner Profile where it specifies MATMAS as an inbound

message type , it just means that SAP1 can receive material master data from
say system SAP2.

What all fields can be sent and received will be specified in the IDoc type.
Some other message types: DEBMAS( Customers), CREMAS(Vendors) belong
to the Master data.
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The link between a message Type and an IDoc type is maintained in Tcode
WE82.

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Question 8: What is a partner profile ? What are the types of partner profiles ?
SAP ABAP Intervi… 40
To be able to communicate with a partner via an IDoc interface, each system
needs to maintain a partner profile. A partner profile is a mechanism by which
SAP ABAP Intervi… 93 the system can specify what kind of messages (message types) it can send or
receive.
SAP Webdynpro … 41 Partner profiles can be maintained in WE20.

BDC Interview Q… 28
Question 9: What is a distribution model in ALE IDocs ?
The distribution model describes how ALE messages flow between different
SAP ALE IDocs i… 48 logical systems.
You can mention the sender and receiver logical systems, the message type to
SAP Webdynpro … 49 be distributed and also distribute data(IDocs) based on certain conditions by
using the distribution model.
The ALE layer uses the distribution model to control which systems will receive
SAP Web Dynpro… 38
the information(IDocs) and also filter the data based on certain conditions.
Distribution Models can be created and maintained in transaction BD64.

Question 10: What are process codes ?

I don't want to make this post too big . So, I will stop here for the time being.

Question 11: How do you Edit IDoc contents manually?

Question 12: Can you edit IDoc content for successful IDocs ?
No. You cannot.

Question 13: If you send an IDoc say 100008008 from system ECC1 to system
ECC2, will the IDoc number in ECC2 be 100008008?
No. The next number from the IDoc number range in ECC2 will be picked up.

More interview questions on ALE IDocs :

Question 14: How do you read data from an IDoc in a program ?

Question 15: How do you send Idoc from a program ?
Question 16: How do you achieve filtering in a distribution model ?
Question 17: Can I create a flat file from an IDOC ? If Yes , How ?
Question 18: You want to create and send an IDOC to another the moment a
PO is created in your system . How will you achieve this ?
Question 19: How to Reprocess Idocs in SAP?
Question 20: What is a change Pointer?
Question 21: What is serialization of Idocs?
Question 22: Important tcodes in ALE Idocs.
Question 23: Important programs in ALE Idocs:

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2/17/25, 10:57 AM SAP ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 1 | SAP Interview Questions and Answers

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Let me know if you find this post useful .
If yes, I will create ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 2 . So
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put your comments Smartforms
below and let me know:

SAP ABAP Intervi… 40 Posted 24th May 2012 by Amby

Labels: ALE IDocs
SAP ABAP Intervi… 93
48 View comments

SAP Webdynpro … 41
Arc_SAP November 19, 2012 at 8:45 PM
It is really Helpful.Please create part 2 as well.
BDC Interview Q… 28
Reply

SAP ALE IDocs i… 48

Amby November 22, 2012 at 7:25 AM

SAP Webdynpro … 49 glad that it helped .... Sure will post another blog with ALE IDoc details soon
Reply
SAP Web Dynpro… 38

Anonymous November 29, 2012 at 10:44 PM

VERY THANKFUL TO YOU FOR POSTING THIS QUESTIONS...GOOD
ANSWERS
Reply

Singh December 30, 2012 at 3:58 PM

Some tutorial for EDI will be of great help if you can provide.
Reply

saimahesh January 21, 2013 at 7:37 AM

great work..
Reply

Kakoli February 12, 2013 at 9:28 PM

Sir , please add ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 2....
Part 1 is very helpful...
Reply

Kakoli February 12, 2013 at 9:36 PM

Hello sir, one more thing i want to request u to add interview questions and
answers of ABAP HR...
Reply

sanjaya February 28, 2013 at 10:25 PM

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2/17/25, 10:57 AM SAP ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 1 | SAP Interview Questions and Answers
Hey bro thanks for this posting ...
Its really very good post and useful.
SAP Interview Questions
Reply
and Answer…
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pjay March 3, 2013 at 2:04 PM
SAP ABAP Intervi… 40 It is indeed very helpful. I read through an ALE/IDoc document and these
questions and answers summarize everything! Great work. Please continue
to post more Q&A!
SAP ABAP Intervi… 93
Reply

SAP Webdynpro … 41
Anonymous March 15, 2013 at 12:25 AM

BDC Interview Q… 28 pretty good.... hope you will add second part very soon.....
Reply

SAP ALE IDocs i… 48

Anonymous March 28, 2013 at 11:37 PM

SAP Webdynpro … 49 very good info...............
Reply
SAP Web Dynpro… 38

Anonymous April 7, 2013 at 10:36 AM

This comment has been removed by the author.
Reply

Khan April 24, 2013 at 2:45 AM

Good one.pls start adding next parts
Reply

Anonymous June 23, 2013 at 5:49 AM

Good Job budyy...
Reply

Anonymous June 26, 2013 at 8:24 AM

very helpful...looking forward for next part soon
Reply

jijji July 15, 2013 at 11:17 AM

helloo....

Nice work...!!
waiting for part 2...!!
Reply

Anonymous August 6, 2013 at 4:13 AM

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YES ITS NICE.....PREPARE PART2

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Anonymous September 9, 2013 at 12:35 AM
IDOCs never ever seemed to be this simple for a beginner before reading
SAP ABAP Intervi… 40 this blog. Please create part 2 as well.

Thanks,
SAP ABAP Intervi… 93 Meenakshi
Reply
SAP Webdynpro … 41

Anonymous September 16, 2013 at 3:04 PM

BDC Interview Q… 28
You made it so simple ! Thanks a ton !
Reply
SAP ALE IDocs i… 48

SAP Webdynpro … 49 Anonymous September 24, 2013 at 11:45 AM

Very good questions n very simple answers...thanks a lot...eagerly waiting
for 2nd part...
SAP Web Dynpro… 38
Reply

Anonymous October 1, 2013 at 11:01 AM

Very Nice Please create Part2
Reply

Anonymous October 17, 2013 at 9:26 PM

Yes. Please create part 2 as well. It is really Helpful.
Reply

Anonymous December 29, 2013 at 9:55 PM

Excellent work. waiting for part 2.
Reply

Anonymous February 1, 2014 at 10:13 PM

QUESTION NO.14
ANS:Process code is used to read the Idoc data, it is a function module.
question no.15.
ANS: Port specifies the medium of transferring the data from one system to
another system
WE21 is the Tcode for defining a Port.
Question no.16
Ans: Tcode is BD64 ,It contains the list of receivers who receives the data.
Question no is.17
Ans: Yes,That for Java mapping and abap mapping, the target data type
(messag type) is just a dummy one, the real (XML) message the receiver
will recieve is the one (stream) produced by the java or abap mapping.
Question no.19
Ans:Use t.code BD87 to reprocess the IDOC.
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2/17/25, 10:57 AM SAP ALE IDocs interview questions and answers Part 1 | SAP Interview Questions and Answers
To find the IDOC number, you can use t.code WE05.
Question no.21
SAP Interview Questions and Answer …
Ans: tcodes are SALE,WE20,WE21,BD64....
Reply
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40 Anonymous April 8, 2014 at 11:11 PM

SAP ABAP Intervi…
Very helpful and got overall idea on IDocs..

93 Reply
SAP ABAP Intervi…

SAP Webdynpro … 41 Anil Kumar April 28, 2014 at 2:37 AM

Hey Ambi , very useful information ... would be great if you share PART2 as
BDC Interview Q… 28 well.
Reply

SAP ALE IDocs i… 48

Kripa Rangachari April 28, 2014 at 11:54 PM

SAP Webdynpro … 49 Good one :)
Reply
SAP Web Dynpro… 38

Anonymous June 10, 2014 at 11:28 PM

This comment has been removed by the author.
Reply

MSM July 19, 2014 at 12:42 PM

nice and helpfull
Reply

Suma November 4, 2014 at 8:38 PM

Good
Reply

Pankaj Kumar December 26, 2014 at 8:32 PM

Great Sir..
Reply

Pankaj Kumar December 26, 2014 at 8:34 PM

Whatever I say is less. Your presentation is awesome..
Reply

Anonymous May 8, 2015 at 9:17 AM

pls post part2

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Anonymous June 12, 2015 at 1:41 PM
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Hi, Smartforms
Very useful information but stopping just at 9 questions doesn't make sense
40 rather it would be very helpful if you provide more information
SAP ABAP Intervi…
Reply

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Anonymous July 9, 2015 at 12:12 AM

SAP Webdynpro … 41 very useful... Thanks.. Real time SAP ABAP training
Reply
BDC Interview Q… 28

Anonymous August 3, 2015 at 12:27 AM

SAP ALE IDocs i… 48
your posts are most helpfull i'm expecting some more.....posts
Reply
SAP Webdynpro … 49

SAP Web Dynpro… 38 Waseem Ahmad October 14, 2015 at 12:44 PM

Thanks a ton
Reply

Anonymous November 29, 2015 at 9:19 AM

It is really Helpful.Please create part 2 as well
Reply

Anonymous February 5, 2016 at 7:26 PM

I like the way of explaining each topic clearly. Thanks a lot for the post.If you
are free and interested could you please make part 2..!
Reply

Harshad February 19, 2016 at 12:19 AM

really Helpful
Reply

Anonymous July 8, 2016 at 9:31 AM

All things are very easily to understand..thank you
Reply

Anonymous July 8, 2016 at 9:37 AM

All things are very easily to understand..thank you
Reply

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Anonymous November 4, 2016 at 12:48 PM

SAP Interview Questions and Answer…

Very good to learn
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Anonymous November 5, 2016 at 2:18 AM
SAP ABAP Intervi… 40
Very good to learn
Reply
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SAP Webdynpro … 41 Anonymous December 22, 2016 at 7:24 AM

Hi this is krishna. You have shared good information. Thank you for sharing
me this. I have a doubt in ale. That is where we assign the number ranges
BDC Interview Q… 28 in ale... please send the details to [email protected]. Thank
you

SAP ALE IDocs i… 48 Reply

SAP Webdynpro … 49 Anonymous September 8, 2017 at 6:52 PM

Please share part 2 Interview answers also... It helps us lot...
SAP Web Dynpro… 38
Thanks
Reply

Anonymous September 8, 2017 at 11:20 PM

Please share part 2 Interview answers also... It helps us lot...

Thanks
Reply

Anonymous October 14, 2018 at 11:22 AM

Please share part2 interview questions also answers.

Thanks in advance
Reply

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