Mastering SE16n: The SAP Consultant's Ultimate Data Browser Guide

Abdullah Galal
Nov 11
5 min read

By Abdullah Galal | Galal Consulting

As an SAP consultant, how often have you needed to look directly at the data in a table? Whether you're troubleshooting a custom report, extracting data for an interface, or simply verifying master data, the ability to navigate SAP tables efficiently is a non-negotiable skill.

While SAP offers several transactions for this, the one you'll use most is SE16N – the Data Browser.

I've been working with SAP since 2012, and to this day, SE16n is a transaction I can't live without. But I'm always surprised by how many experienced consultants only use a fraction of its power.

In this guide, we’ll go beyond the basic [Table Name] -> Execute routine. I'll show you the hidden settings and pro tips that will make you an SE16n power user, saving you time and effort on every project.

First Look: The SE16n Selection Screen

When you first open SE16n, you're greeted by the selection screen. Let's break down the key elements you need to know.

Table Name: Enter the table you want to display (e.g., SKA1 for GL Account Master - Chart of Accounts). For this guide, I'll assume you already know the table name.
No Texts: When you enter a table, SAP often automatically includes its text table. Uncheck this box if you don't want the descriptions cluttering your output.
Layout: Controls the column arrangement in your results.
Maximum Number of Hits: This is critical! This limits the number of records displayed. If your table has 40,000 records but the limit is 500, you'll only see the first 500. Always check the Number of Entries button to see the total count before executing. Be mindful of system load—don't set this unnecessarily high!

Pro Tip: Mastering Selection Criteria

The selection field list can be long and overwhelming. Here’s how to tame it.

Icon	Function	Why It's Useful
Get Field	Brings a specific field to the top of the list.	No more scrolling through hundreds of fields to find SEARCH_TERM or ACCOUNT_GROUP.
Sort	Moves all fields with selection criteria to the top.	Perfect when you need to use multiple selection criteria; they are all grouped together for easy access.
Reset Sorting	Returns the field list to its default order.	Clean slate when you're done.
Delete All Entries	Clears all values you've entered in selection fields.	The fastest way to start a new search.

Controlling Your Output: What Do You Actually See?

Before you execute, check the Output column. This determines which fields are displayed in your results.

Deselect All: A clean slate. Manually check only the fields you need (e.g., GL_ACCOUNT, CREATED_ON, CREATED_BY).
Select All: Shows every single field (can be very wide and hard to read).
Key Fields Only: Selects only the primary key fields (shown in blue). Great for a quick, focused list.

The Goldmine: "Extras" and "Change Settings"

This is where SE16n transforms from a simple data viewer into a powerful tool.

1. Technical View & Where-Used List

Under Extras, toggle Technical View On. This adds technical details like Data Element and Field Type to your output—invaluable for technical conversations.

Even more powerful is the Where-Used List. Place your cursor on a Data Element (not just any field) and click the icon or find it in Extras. It will show you all other tables that use the same field, a lifesaver for data lineage and impact analysis.

2. Change Settings (Your Personal SE16n Setup)

Go to Extras -> Change Settings. This configures SE16n for your user only—feel free to experiment!

Here are the most impactful settings:

✅ Technical Name as Column Heading: Essential when extracting data for technical teams. The Excel output will have the field names (e.g., KTOPL) instead of just descriptions (Chart of Accounts).
✅ Key Column Scrollable: Unfreezes the key columns, allowing you to scroll horizontally through wide tables.
✅ Save Last Layout Automatically & Use Last Layout Automatically: This is a game-changer for efficiency.

How to Automate Your Favorite Layout:

Execute your table.
In the results, drag and drop columns into your preferred order (e.g., put GL_ACCOUNT_DESC first).
Exit the results screen.
Now, enable both "Save Last Layout Automatically" and "Use Last Layout Automatically" in Change Settings.
Crucially, click SAVE (not just OK) to make this your permanent default. Now, every time you open this table, your custom layout will load automatically.

Pro Tip Corner: The Mysterious SettingsWhile preparing this guide, I dug into some lesser-known settings. Have you ever used "Activate Additional Sort Field"? It adds a temporary column where you can input numbers to custom-sort your current list—it doesn't save to the database but is great for one-off analysis.I'd love to hear from the experts: Have you found a practical use for "Activate Additional Coating Fields" or "Determine Number of Lines Displayed"? Let me know in the comments below, and I might feature your insight in a future update!

Beyond the Basics: Results Screen Power Moves

Once you have your data, the tools at the top of the list are your best friends:

Sorting & Filtering: Click any column header to sort. Use the filter icon for simple filters or the multiple selection icon (...) for complex ranges.
Totals & Subtotals: For numeric columns, use the Sum and Subtotal functions.
Extract to Excel: The spreadsheet icon is your direct pipeline to Excel for further analysis.
Hide Empty Columns: This icon (a table with a disappearing column) is incredibly useful. It automatically hides every column that has no data in your current result set, letting you focus on what's important.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

SE16n is far more than a simple data display tool. By mastering the selection screen tricks, personalizing your settings, and using the powerful output options, you can drastically reduce the time you spend on data analysis tasks.

To recap, your action items should be:

Use the Sort button on the selection screen.
Configure and SAVE your preferences in Change Settings, especially the automatic layout.
Use the Where-Used List to trace data elements.
Hide Empty Columns in your results to declutter the view.

Ready for the Next Level?

If you're on SAP S/4HANA, you have access to an even more powerful tool: SE16H. It includes mind-blowing features like joining tables directly and creating custom formulas without any ABAP code.

[Link to Blog Post 2: Introduction to SE16H]

Was this guide helpful? Did you discover an SE16n feature you never knew about? Share your thoughts and your own pro tips in the comments below or connect with me on [LinkedIn - Link to your profile].

Want to go deeper? Check out the [SAP Data Browsers Course Map] for the complete video series.