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SAP fundamentals · Lesson

SAP GUI

Quick answer

Fiori is the modern, role-based web UX and the strategic direction, but SAP GUI still exposes the full breadth of transactions and configuration (SPRO), much of which is not yet in Fiori.

Key takeaways

  • SAP GUI is the installed desktop application (SAP Logon) that connects to SAP systems and presents the classic screens, the menu…
  • SAP GUI comes in flavours, GUI for Windows (most common), GUI for Java (cross-platform), and Web GUI (browser-based).
  • SAP Logon: the launcher listing the systems you can connect to.
  • Watch out: Assuming GUI is obsolete, it is still essential for config and dev.

What the SAP GUI is

SAP GUI is the installed desktop application (SAP Logon) that connects to SAP systems and presents the classic screens, the menu tree, command field, and transaction screens. It is the interface most administrators, developers and functional consultants still spend much of their time in.

Key elements

  • SAP Logon: the launcher listing the systems you can connect to.
  • Command field: where you type transaction codes.
  • Menu tree and toolbar: navigation and standard functions (save, back, exit).
  • Sessions: multiple parallel windows on the same login.

GUI variants

SAP GUI comes in flavours, GUI for Windows (most common), GUI for Java (cross-platform), and Web GUI (browser-based). They present the same screens with slightly different look and feel.

GUI versus Fiori

Fiori is the modern, role-based web UX and the strategic direction, but SAP GUI still exposes the full breadth of transactions and configuration (SPRO), much of which is not yet in Fiori. Expect to use both.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming GUI is obsolete, it is still essential for config and dev.
  • Not learning keyboard shortcuts, they speed GUI work greatly.
  • Confusing Web GUI with Fiori, they are different things.

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Check your understanding

  1. Which statement is true of SAP GUI?

    • A. SAP BPC (Business Planning and Consolidation) supports financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and legal…
    • B. SE38 is the SAP transaction code for ABAP Editor (ABAP).
    • C. It is the interface most administrators, developers and functional consultants still spend much of their time…
    Show answer

    C. It is the interface most administrators, developers and functional consultants still spend much of their time…

    Covered in the “What the SAP GUI is” section of this lesson.

  2. Which of these also applies to SAP GUI?

    • A. SAP GUI comes in flavours, GUI for Windows (most common), GUI for Java (cross-platform), and Web GUI…
    • B. Guessing instead of reading the log/dump.
    • C. Assuming SAP is only for huge firms, mid-market editions exist too.
    Show answer

    A. SAP GUI comes in flavours, GUI for Windows (most common), GUI for Java (cross-platform), and Web GUI…

    Covered in the “GUI variants” section of this lesson.

  3. Which part of the Learn SAP curriculum covers SAP GUI?

    • A. SAP best practices
    • B. SAP security
    • C. SAP fundamentals
    Show answer

    C. SAP fundamentals

    This lesson sits in the SAP fundamentals section of the Learn SAP course.

Frequently asked questions

What does the term SAP GUI refer to in SAP?

The SAP GUI (Graphical User Interface) is the classic desktop client for interacting with SAP systems. Despite the rise of Fiori, it remains essential, especially for configuration, ABAP development and many transactions in ECC and S/4HANA.

Which transaction codes come up with SAP GUI?

Fiori is the modern, role-based web UX and the strategic direction, but SAP GUI still exposes the full breadth of transactions and configuration (SPRO), much of which is not yet in Fiori.

What is another point to note about SAP GUI?

SAP GUI is the installed desktop application (SAP Logon) that connects to SAP systems and presents the classic screens, the menu tree, command field, and transaction screens.

What tends to go wrong with SAP GUI?

Assuming GUI is obsolete, it is still essential for config and dev. Not learning keyboard shortcuts, they speed GUI work greatly. Confusing Web GUI with Fiori, they are different things.
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