RFC_READ_TABLE Restrictions #

Especially with older SAP releases you may encounter a few restrictions when using the SAP standard function module (RFC_READ_TABLE) for table extraction:

  • The overall width of all columns to be extracted must not exceed 512 bytes.
  • Depending on the SAP version there may be other restrictions. It is not possible to extract data from tables that contain one or more columns of the data type f (FLTP, floating point), DEC (decimal, e.g. for percentage) or x (RAW, LRAW).
  • Poor extraction performance with larger tables.

When facing restrictions, install the Theobald Software custom function module /THEO/READ_TABLE on your SAP system.

Warning! Error while converting value ‘*.0’ of row 1530, column 3
The SAP standard module RFC_READ_TABLE for table extraction can only extract the ABAP data type DEC to a limited extent. This leads to the mentioned example error during extraction. Use the function module from Theobald Software /THEO/READ_TABLE.

Installation of /THEO/READ_TABLE #

An SAP transport request for the installation of the function module is provided in the installation directory: C:\Program Files\[XtractProduct]\ABAP\.
Transport requests are imported into SAP by your SAP Basis team.

Note: Take a look at the README.pdf in the installation directory (e.g.,C:\Program Files\XtractProduct\ABAP\README.pdf) before installing any custom function modules.

There are two custom function modules available for Table extractions:

  • /THEO/READ_TABLE
  • Z_THEO_READ_TABLE

We recommend installing the latest custom function module THEO/READ_TABLE:

  • THEO_READ_TABLE_740SP05.zip - compatible with ABAP version 7.40 SP05 and higher
  • THEO_READ_TABLE_710.zip - compatible with ABAP version 7.10 and higher
  • THEO_READ_TABLE_640.zip - compatible with ABAP versions from 6.40 until 7.03
  • THEO_READ_TABLE_46C.zip - compatible with ABAP versions from 4.6C until 6.40

When importing the transport requests on older SAP releases a syntax error may occur. Contact Theobald Support and send the dedicated error message text.

Testing the module in SAP

Warning! Generating Short Dumps
The function modules /THEO/READ_TABLE and Z_THEO_READ_TABLE can only be called by Theobald products due to the callback function of the module. Testing the function modules on an SAP system is therefore not possible.