Lesson6.Navigating to Initial Screens With the Favorites Folders

Lesson 6. Navigating to Initial Screens With the Favorites Folders

This lesson describes the creation, management, and use of the Favorites folders for navigating to the initial screens of transactions.

The default version of the SAP Easy Access screen displays two sets of navigation folders in its central work area: the SAP or User menu folders (see Lesson 5) and the Favorites folders (Figure 6.1). Both folder sets contain links to the initial screens of transactions and are organized in a multilevel or hierarchical structure of folders and subfolders. You can expand the folders to display their contents by either clicking their control arrows or double-clicking their names.

Figure 6.1. Favorite transactions are close at hand when their links are put in the Favorites folders.

You have no control over the structure and contents of the SAP and User menu folders on your SAP Easy Access screen. The SAP menu folders are generic components of the software: They contain links to the initial screens of every transaction in the modules in your system. And the User menu folders are created by your SAP administrator to hold links to the initial screens of only those transactions that you are authorized to execute, and no others.

However, you have total control over your Favorites folders. You can create their structure of folders and subfolders, and you can control their contents, which can include links to any of your favorite or frequently run transactions as well as links to your favorite Web pages and e-mail system.

Figure 6.1 is an example of the Favorites folders that was created by a physical plant manager in a shipping company. Notice its structure and contents:

• There are four folders for the manager's favorite work management, material management, finance (budget and cost), and purchasing transaction links (A). Because he uses a small number of transactions in his work, most of these links are displayed with one double-click of a folder's name. This is a good design philosophy for your favorites: The links should be only one or two clicks of a folder away.

• He created two subfolders, Notifications and PM orders, to hold links for two distinct groups of work management transactions (B).

• He created a link to a Web site (C), where he can search for and download SAP job aids, cheat sheets, and other support materials.

The Favorites folders provide quick "point and click" or mouse-directed navigation from the SAP Easy Access screen to the initial screens of transactions (and other places). This lesson describes the tools and procedures for creating and managing them and their contents.