SAP ABAP Macros

If we want to reuse the same set of statements more than once in a program, we need to include them in a macro. For example, a macro can be useful for long calculations or for writing complex WRITE statements. We can only use a macro within a program in which it is defined. Macro definition should occur before the macro is used in the program.

Macros are designed based on placeholders. Placeholder works like pointers in C language. You can define a macro within the DEFINE...END-OF-DEFINITION statement.

Following is the basic syntax of a macro definition −

DEFINE <macro_name>. <statements> 
END-OF-DEFINITION. 
   ...... 
  
   <macro_name> [<param1> <param2>....].

It is necessary to define a macro first before invoking it. The <param1>…. replaces the placeholders &1...in the ABAP statements contained in the macro definition.

The maximum number of placeholders in a macro definition is nine. That is, when a program is executed, the SAP system replaces the macro by appropriate statements and the placeholders &1, &2,….&9 are replaced by the parameters param1, param2,....param9. We may invoke a macro within another macro, but not the same macro.

Example

Go to transaction SE38. Create a new program ZMACRO_TEST along with the description in the short text field, and also with appropriate attributes such as Type and Status as shown in the following screenshot −

Following is the code −

REPORT ZMACRO_TEST. 
DEFINE mac_test. 
WRITE: 'This is Macro &1'. 
END-OF-DEFINITION. 

PARAMETERS: s1 type C as checkbox. 
PARAMETERS: s2 type C as checkbox. 
PARAMETERS: s3 type C as checkbox default 'X'. 

START-OF-SELECTION. 
IF s1 = 'X'. 
   mac_test 1. ENDIF. 
IF s2 = 'X'. 
   mac_test 2. 
ENDIF.
 
IF s3 = 'X'. 
   mac_test 3. 
ENDIF.

We have 3 checkboxes. While executing the program, let’s select the S2 checkbox.

The above code produces the following output −

A Macro Program 
 
This is Macro 2

If all checkboxes are selected, the code produces the following output −

A Macro Program 
 
This is Macro 1 This is Macro 2 This is Macro 3