SAP Logon – GUI Tutorial

What is SAP Logon?

SAP Logon is used initiate a user session in a desired SAP Server. The same SAP Logon pad can be used to login into different SAP ERP environments. SAP Logon is a client side software usually used by Consultants, developers and end-users

Following Video will take you through the various screen elements observed in the SAP – Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Click here if the video is not accessible

How to log in using SAP Frontend?

Step 1) Click in the SAP logon PAD

To access SAP, double click in the SAP logon PAD.

Log in using SAP Frontend

Step 2) Check the server list

You are shown a list of servers that you could log into right now there is only one server. But you see multiple servers like one for production, one for Testing one for development.

Log in using SAP Frontend

Step 3) Click the Log On Button

Select the server and click the Log On Button. In the next screen, enter your user id and password. You are taken to Sap’s easy access menu

Log in using SAP Frontend

Step 4) See the menu bar

At the top, you will see the menu bar. Next you will see the standard tool bar where you options to Print , Save Find , Scroll etc

Log in using SAP Frontend

Step 5) View or maintain any data in SAP

To view or maintain any data in SAP or access different business process you need to know the corresponding transaction. Every transaction has a unique code.

Log in using SAP Frontend

For example, transaction number to maintain a PA data is PA30

Step 6) Access the transaction

To access the transaction, in the command prompt enter PA30 and hit enter. If you notice the title bar changes in accordance with the transaction, you are currently in.

Log in using SAP Frontend

Step 7) Go back to the initial screen.

To go back to the initial screen click the back button

Alternatively, if you do not remember the transaction code, a tree is provided with all the transaction available.

Navigate in the tree. Double click in the corresponding transaction. Suppose you do not want to navigate so much to access a transaction, right click on it and select Add to favorites

Log in using SAP Frontend

The transaction is added to your favorites. At the bottom of a screen you will notice Message Bar. This Bar has three colors

  • Red – for errors
  • Yellow – for warnings
  • Green – for success

Log in using SAP Frontend

If you double click on the bar, detailed information of the message is reflected

At the bottom, you will see various system related information like the client or the program you are currently in.

To get help in SAP, select on the corresponding screen element and press F1

Suppose, I want help on command prompt, pressing F1 gives me a very detailed help document.

That’s it to the SAP GUI

SAP GUI Navigation

When you logon to SAP or you open a new session- you will see the following screen

SAP GUI Navigation

Lets look into the various screen elements-

SAP User Menu

The SAP User Menu is tailored to the user’s specific needs. It includes all transactions relevant to a user, grouped under relevant folders

SAP User Menu

SAP Easy Access Menu

The SAP Easy Access Menu includes all transactions offered by SAP, grouped in folders according to SAP modules (FI/CO, MM, etc.). It is not tailored to the user’s specific needs

SAP Easy Access Menu

SAP Menu Bar

The SAP Menu Bar CHANGES from one screen to another. You follow a menu path to access a function or a transaction.

SAP Menu Bar

SAP Standard Tool Bar

The SAP Standard Toolbar does NOT change from one transaction to another. You can use the SAP Standard Toolbar to execute various functions.

  • Buttons available are enabled
  • Buttons not available are disabled
  • In the “Transaction Box”, you can directly access a transaction, without using the SAP Menu, by entering the transaction code

SAP Standard Tool Bar

General Icons and their Description
Icons and their Description

Hint: You open a maximum of 6 different SAP session at a time

SAP Application Toolbar

The SAP Application Toolbar CHANGES from one screen to another.

SAP Application Toolbar

SAP Status Bar

The SAP Status Bar does NOT change from one screen to another. It tells you WHERE you are in SAP:

  • Which environment you are using (Production , Development , Quality).
  • In which session you are in (as you can open up to 6 sessions).
  • What client you are using.

SAP Status Bar

Clicking on SAP Status Bar button gives more information –

SAP Status Bar

SAP Function Keys

Functions keys are just another way of navigating around SAP. The availability of function keys CHANGES from one screen to another While in a transaction , right click on your mouse , you will see a list of function keys available

SAP Function Keys

How to get HELP in SAP

More often than not while using SAP you will need HELP. You can access in-built SAP Help functionality for ANY screen element (like text fields , buttons ,labels etc ) for ANY SAP Screen In this training , we will assume you need help for the following field –

Get HELP in SAP

You can access help in three different ways

  1. Clicking on the “Help” button.Get HELP in SAP
  2. Right-clicking on your mouse and selecting “Help”.
  3. Pressing the F1 button on your keyboard.

A Performance Assistance Screen Opens-

Get HELP in SAP

1. It gives you information on how to fill the specific field on screen

2. Clicking on Technical Information Button gives you information like program name , table name and other technical details which comes in very handy at times

Get HELP in SAP

3. Clicking on portal button gives you access to the online SAP Library available via the internet.

Get HELP in SAP