SAP IREF Dummy structure with fields for purely formal DDIC refs Table data and field list

IREF is a standard SAP Structure so does not store data like a database table does. It can be used to define the fields of other actual tables or to process "Dummy structure with fields for purely formal DDIC refs" Information within sap ABAP programs.

This is done by declaring abap internal tables, work areas or database tables based on this Structure. These can then be used to store and process the required data appropriately.

i.e. DATA: wa_IREF TYPE IREF.

The IREF table consists of various fields, each holding specific information or linking keys about Dummy structure with fields for purely formal DDIC refs data available in SAP. These include ACTYP (Transaction activity category (1=Cr, 2=Ch, 3=D)), MSGTYP (Parameter for message type conversion)... See below for full list along with technical details, documentation, text table, check tables, foreign key relationships, conversion routines, relevant tcodes and example ABAP select code etc. .

IREF structure Technical Details:

Delivery Class:
Display/Maintenance via tcode SM30: Display/Maintenance Allowed but with Restrictions
SAP enhancement categories: Can be enhanced (character-type)


SAP IREF structure fields - Full list of fields found in SAP data dictionary

Looking for S/4HANA specific information? Click here to explore the details, fields and extensibility available for this table in the SAP S/4HANA version of the IREF table. Also check whether the table still exists or has been transformed into a CDS view as part of the HANA simplifications.
Field Description Data Element Data Type length (Dec) Check table Conversion Routine Domain Name MemoryID SHLP
IINDYes/No (X/ ) OAXCHAR1X
ACTYPTransaction activity category (1=Cr, 2=Ch, 3=D) ACTTYPCHAR1ACTTYP
MSGTYPParameter for message type conversion MSGTYPCONVCHAR1MSGTYPCONV

Key field Non-key field



How do I retrieve data from SAP structure IREF using ABAP code?

As IREF is a database structure and not a table it does not store any data in the SAP data dictionary. The ABAP SELECT statement is therefore not appropriate and can not be performed on IREF as there is no data to select.

How to access SAP table IREF

Within an ECC or HANA version of SAP you can also view further information about IREF and the data within it using relevant transactions such as

SE11 (ABAP Dictionary Maintenance)
SM30 (Maintain Table Data)
SE80 (Object Navigator)
SE16 (Data Browser).