SAP ABAP - Macros

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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, lets 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