SAP Data Elements and Domains

http://sapstack.com/abap/data-elements-and-domains/#create%20a%20domain 

While creating a table in data dictionary each table field is assigned to a data element. Each data element is in turn assigned to a domain.

• Domain describes the technical attributes such as data type and length of a table field.
• Data Element gives the field labels and documentation for the table field.

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In this tutorial you will get the idea about the difference between data elements and domains and the steps for creating them.

Data elements and domains are SAP data dictionary objects that can be created using the transaction code SE11. Both of these describe the characteristics of a data field.
Steps to create a domain  Steps to create a data element

What is data element?

Data element describes the semantic characteristics of a field like description and online help. A user can view this by pressing F1 help button on a field.

What is a domain?

Domain objects stores the technical characteristics of a field like its data type, decimal places, data length and value range.

Step by step procedure to create a domain

Step 1: Enter transaction code SE11 (or go to the path Tools->ABAP/4 Workbench, Development->ABAP/4 Dictionary)

Step 2: In Object name field enter the name of data element.

Step 3: Choose the domain radio button and press the create button. (Next window will appear)

Step 4: Enter a description (short text) for that domain

Step 5: Enter data type field and length field..

Step 6: Press Activate button

Step 7: Enter the local object button.

Step 8: For going back to the dictionary initial screen press back button.

Step by step procedure to create a data element

Step 1: Enter transaction code SE11 (or go to the path Tools->ABAP/4 Workbench, Development->ABAP/4 Dictionary)

Step 2: In Object name field enter the name of data element.

Step 3: Choose the data element radio button and press the create button. (Next window will appear)

Step 4: Enter a title (short text) for that data element.

Step 5: Enter the domain name and press enter (This domain should be active.).Then its data type and length will be displayed there from the domain values.

Step 6: Enter the field labels.( short with maximum 10 characters, medium with maximum 15 characters, long with maximum 20 characters, Header field length should be equal or less than the output length of the domain)

Step 7: Press Save button (Another screen will be displayed)

Step 8: Enter the local object button.

Step 9: Enter the documentation button. Another screen will be displayed. Here we need to enter the documentation of the field. By default first line will contain the character &DEFINITION&. Don’t change that, and start to enter the description from the second line)

Step 10: Press save and then back button on the screen.

Step 11: Press Activate button (Now our data element is activated and ready)

Step 12: For going back to the dictionary initial screen press back button.

 

As per the hierarchy we can say that table field objects contains domain objects and domain objects contains data elements (tables ->fields -> Domains -> data elements)