Download, Upload, and Delete Files in SAP AL11

1. Overview
2. Download File from AL11
3. Upload File to AL11
4. Delete File from AL11
5. Additional Information

Overview

What is AL11?

You can think of this as The SAP File Directory. AL11 is a Transaction Code that shows an overview of all the linked SAP Directories and their corresponding files. The list of linked SAP Directories may differ for each SAP Environment.

What is its Use?

It is used for storing data on the application server where SAP and Non-SAP systems can access. A good example is its use for interfacing between two systems.

Another example is that SAP Support Users can utilize AL11 to check if a certain file was received by SAP or saved in a certain SAP Directory / File Path. Troubleshooting and other checks can happen thereafter.

Who Maintains the Directories in AL11?

The SAP Basis team usually configures the directories found in AL11 using the Configure User Directories Button (highlighted in red below).

When clicked, the following fields are maintained:

Download File from AL11 (CG3Y)

1. After locating the file from AL11, double click on the row to display the Directory and File Name.

2. Go to Transaction Code CG3Y

3. For the Source file on application server: Copy-Paste the Directory (Black Highlight) then add a “\” backslash followed by the File Name (Blue Highlight).

4. For the Target File on front end: Select where you want to save the file. Select All Files and put the file format as it is indicated in SAP. Example “DownloadedFile.xls”

5. Leave the Transfer Format for Data as “BIN” or change it accordingly. See additional info at the end of this blog post.

6. Once done, click on the Download Button (with the green arrow)

You should receive a similar notification below:

7. You can now check if the file has been downloaded to your PC.

Upload File to AL11 (CG3Z)

1. Go to Transaction Code CG3Z

2. For the Source file on front end: Select the file from your PC.

3. For the Target File on application server: Copy-Paste the Directory then add a “\” backslash followed by the File Name. Do not forget the file format (.xls).

4. Leave the Transfer Format for Data as “BIN” or change it accordingly.

5. Once done, click on the Upload Button (with the green arrow)

Delete File from AL11 (SE37 – EPS_DELETE_FILE)

1. Go to Transaction Code SE37 and Enter Function Module “EPS_DELETE_FILE”

2. Click on Test/Execute (F8), Enter the FILE_NAME and DIR_NAME, then click Execute (F8)

If you still have the same AL11 File Path open, you should get a notification of the changes.

Additional Information

Shared Folder or Server Access Rights

Though it is possible to download, upload, and delete files from AL11, it is good to note that you can do these actions through the actual server or linked shared folder.

For example: if the files are stored in Server A under folder name Folder A, anyone with modification access to the Server and Folder can download, upload, and delete files. If the actions are done there, the changes should reflect in AL11 accordingly.

This type of access is usually limited to specific users, technical people, or even systems.

BIN or ASC

There are other file types available for data transfer format, but I find that BIN is good enough for .xls files in general. Either way, you can download using the transfer formats available to see which is best suited for your purpose.

ASC (ASCII format)	BIN (Binary format)
Table is transferred as text. The conversion exits are carried out. The output format additionally depends on the parameters CODEPAGE, TRUNC_TRAILING_BLANKS, and TRUNC_TRAILING_BLANKS_EOL.	Data is transferred in binary format. There is no formatting and no codepage conversion. Data is interpreted row by row and not formatted in columns. Specify the length of the data in parameter BIN_FILESIZE. Table should consist of column of Type X since conversion of structured data into binary data can lead to errors.

Overwrite File

The overwrite file checkbox option allows you to overwrite the existing file in your desktop or in the AL11 directory if it exists. Use this with caution.

Summary

Action	Transaction Code / Function Module	Fields
Download	CG3Y	Source File on Application Server Target File on Front End
Upload	CG3Z	Source File on Front End Target File on Application Server
*Delete	SE37 / EPS_DELETE_FILE	FILE_NAME DIR_NAME