Variant

A Variant is a set of input fields for selection screen. When the program with the same set of input fields run multiple times its useful to save a variant for those fields.
Variants are an interface between the user and the selection screen. Variants can be created in Dialog mode and in background mode.
This not only saves time but avoid some manual mistakes while entering input.

• Create a Variant for a Report program
• Execute the Report Program which takes you to the selection screen.
• Enter the appropriate values in the selection screen fields and click on the save icon.
• Enter the Variant name and meaning full description.
• The meaning and use of various options in the variant.  

1. If you select the field Background only, the variant can only be executed in the background. Otherwise, it can be run both in the background and online.
2. If you select the field Protect variant, the variant can only be changed by the person who created it or last changed it. 
4. If you select the field Do not display variant, the variant name appears in the directory, but not in the general input help.
5. If you flag a field as 'Protected', the relevant selection criterion is protected against changes at runtime, i.e. when you start the program with variant
6. However, in variant maintenance itself, the field is ready for input.
7. Hide Field will allow the user to hide fields so that they do not appear on the search criteria screen.
8.  Save field without values will make the field required ,but will not save data entered in the field.
9. Required field: to make the fields mandatory.

Variants for report programs

A Report program can be executed in background in two ways:
Method 1:  First create a variant for the report.
                 Then Go to SE38-->Program-->Execute-->Background.
Method 2:  Go to sm36
                  Specify job name and Job class--> Step tab in the application tool bar
                  Specify program name
                  Specify variant Save it-->Save the job-->
                 Will get a message  ' job has been scheduled'.
                 Go to tcode --->sm37--> check scheduled checkbox-->Execute.