SAP IDocs
IDocs are SAP’s structured document formats for integration; this reference explains IDoc types, segments and how to find their definitions.
An IDoc type defines the segments and fields of a business document exchanged over ALE or EDI, ORDERS for purchase orders or MATMAS for material master, with a message type controlling its use. WE60 holds the documentation, WE30 and WE31 the structures, WE02 and WE05 the instances and statuses; partner profiles match message type to IDoc type.
- Watch out: extensions add to a basic type, so two systems can disagree about the same message type.
What it is
An IDoc type defines the structure of a business document (segments and fields) exchanged via ALE/EDI. Each represents a document kind (e.g. ORDERS for purchase orders, MATMAS for material master), with a message type controlling its use.
How to find/use it
- Use
WE60for IDoc-type documentation (segments/fields). - Use
WE30(IDoc types) andWE31(segments) to view structures. - Use
WE02/WE05to view IDoc instances and statuses. - Match message type and IDoc type when configuring partner profiles.
Why it matters
Understanding IDoc structures and where to find their documentation is essential for integration, mapping fields, troubleshooting failures (status 51), and extending IDocs with custom segments.
Common pitfalls
- Guessing instead of using the reference tools.
- Editing/using without understanding the object.
- Relying on memory for details you can look up.