Converting IDoc to a Fixed-Length Flat File Using XSLT Mapping in SAP CPI

Step-by-Step Process

1. Receiving IDoc via IDoc Sender Adapter

The first step is to receive the IDoc in SAP CPI using the IDoc Sender Adapter.

Key Configuration Steps:

• Use the IDoc Sender Adapter to connect SAP CPI with SAP S/4HANA or ECC.
  
• Ensure the correct IDoc type (e.g., DELVRY03, ORDERS05) is selected.
  
• Establish connectivity using the appropriate authentication method.

2. Mapping IDoc Data to a Fixed-Length Structure

Before applying XSLT, ensure the IDoc fields are mapped correctly to match the flat file format.

Important Considerations for Fixed-Length Files:

• Each field in the flat file must have a specific length (e.g., 10, 20, 30 characters).
  
• Truncate or pad fields with spaces if they do not meet the required length.
  
• Ensure the sequence of fields is aligned with the file structure.

3. Applying XSLT Mapping for Fixed-Length Output

To ensure the flat file follows a fixed-length format, we use XSLT mapping. The following XSLT code helps achieve this by:

✔ Removing XML tags while preserving field values.
✔ Padding fields with spaces to match the required length.
✔ Adding new lines to ensure proper record structure.

XSLT Code for Fixed-Length Formatting

<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0" xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform">
  <xsl:output method="text" indent="no"/>

  <!-- Remove XML tags and keep only text content -->
  <xsl:template match="*">
    <xsl:apply-templates select="node()"/>
  </xsl:template>

  <!-- Preserve text nodes -->
  <xsl:template match="text()">
    <xsl:value-of select="."/>
  </xsl:template>

  <!-- Add line breaks after each segment -->
  <xsl:template match="Header | SubHeader | HeaderText | LineData | LineText">
    <xsl:apply-templates/>
    <xsl:text>&#xA;</xsl:text>  <!-- New line character -->
  </xsl:template>

  <!-- Root template -->
  <xsl:template match="/">
    <xsl:apply-templates/>
  </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>

How XSLT Helps:

✔ Removes XML tags while preserving text content.
✔ Adds line breaks to format the flat file correctly.
✔ Ensures proper structuring for downstream processing.

4. Sending the Flat File to an SFTP Server

After the transformation, the flat file needs to be sent to an SFTP server.

Configuring the SFTP Receiver Adapter:

• Set up an SFTP Receiver Adapter in SAP CPI.
  
• Provide the correct host, port, and authentication details.
  
• Define the file naming convention to store the output properly.

Conclusion

By leveraging SAP CPI, we can efficiently convert IDocs into flat file formats using XSLT mapping and an SFTP adapter. This approach eliminates manual intervention and ensures seamless data transmission between systems.

Key Takeaways:

• IDoc Sender Adapter captures IDocs from SAP S/4HANA or ECC.
  
• Message Mapping helps format data as per flat file structure.
  
• XSLT Mapping removes XML tags and applies necessary formatting.
  
• SFTP Adapter delivers the final flat file to the target system.

With this approach, businesses can streamline IDoc-to-flat file conversions and enhance their integration capabilities within SAP CPI.