What is an IDoc?

- An IDoc is simply a data container that is used to exchange information between any two processes that can understand the syntax and semantics of the data.

- IDoc is not a process.

IDocs are stored in the database. In the SAP system, IDocs are stored in database tables. IDocs are independent of the sending and receiving systems. IDocs are independent of the direction of data exchange.

The two available process for IDocs are

- Outbound Process

- Inbound Process

Several SAP applications use the robust IDoc interface. IDocs serve the basic purpose of transferring data from one application to another:

- EDI Integration

- ALE Integration

- Legacy System Integration

- Third-party Product Integration

- Workflow Integration

- SAP R/2 Integration

- Internet Integration

There are basically two types of IDocs:

- Basic IDocs (Basic IDoc type defines the structure and format of the business document that is to be exchanged between two systems.)

- Extension IDocs (Extending the functionality by adding more segments to existing Basic IDocs.)

To Create Idoc we need to follow the following steps:

- Create Segment ( WE31)

- Create Idoc Type ( WE30)

- Create Message Type ( WE81)

- Assign Idoc Type to Message Type ( WE82)

There are three types of records

1. Control Record (contains the key information like destination, IDoc type, message type, port and sender information.)

2. Data Record (This contains two parts: a. Administrative Section: consists of Idoc number, Segment Name, Segment number, Version, Segment Hierarchy etc. b. Data Section: contains the data of respective segment.)

3. Status Record (Whenever a process is taken place, system will generate status records.)