Subject: SAP-Fiori-Elements
SAP Fiori Elements is a powerful framework that enables rapid development of SAP Fiori applications by leveraging standardized templates and metadata-driven UI generation. It is particularly well-suited for creating simple, data-driven apps that are consistent, accessible, and aligned with SAP’s UX guidelines without extensive front-end coding.
This article provides an overview of how to create simple data-driven Fiori apps using SAP Fiori Elements, covering core concepts, essential steps, and best practices.
Data-driven apps focus on displaying, managing, and interacting with business data stored in SAP backend systems such as SAP S/4HANA or SAP Gateway. These apps typically involve CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations on business objects like purchase orders, customer records, or sales invoices.
SAP Fiori Elements simplifies creating these apps by generating the UI automatically from OData service metadata annotations, enabling developers to concentrate on business logic and backend integration.
The most common templates used for data-driven apps include:
- List Report: Displays lists of entities with search, filter, sort, and mass-action capabilities.
- Object Page: Provides detailed views of individual business objects with editable fields and related information.
- Overview Page: Combines multiple cards presenting key information and KPIs, giving a high-level summary.
- Ensure the OData service exposes the required business entities and supports CRUD operations if editing is needed.
- Annotate the OData metadata with SAP UI annotations (e.g., @UI, @Aggregation) to describe UI semantics such as labels, field grouping, and line item definitions.
- For data browsing and selection, use the List Report template.
- For detailed object management, use the Object Page template.
- For dashboard-like overviews, use the Overview Page.
- Use SAP Business Application Studio or SAP Web IDE to create a new Fiori Elements project.
- Connect the project to the OData service endpoint.
- Select the template corresponding to your app scenario.
- Customize annotations to control fields displayed, labels, sorting, and filtering options.
- Define page layout, sections, and actions through manifest.json or annotation files if required.
- Add custom actions or extensions if the standard templates need enhancement.
¶ 5. Test and Deploy
- Test the app on different devices to ensure responsiveness and usability.
- Deploy the app to SAP Fiori Launchpad for end-user access.
- Rapid Development: Minimal UI coding thanks to template-driven UI generation.
- Consistency: Uniform UI patterns across different applications ensure user familiarity.
- Maintainability: Easy updates via annotation changes without touching UI code.
- Extensibility: Supports adding custom logic or UI elements without breaking the core app.
- Standardized UX: Follows SAP Fiori design principles out-of-the-box.
- Design your OData service carefully with proper annotations to leverage Fiori Elements’ full potential.
- Start with simple templates and incrementally add complexity as needed.
- Use Fiori Elements extension points to add custom UI or business logic responsibly.
- Involve end users early to validate workflows and UI configurations.
Creating simple data-driven SAP Fiori apps with SAP Fiori Elements is an efficient approach that balances rapid development with enterprise-grade UX consistency and flexibility. By focusing on backend service quality and leveraging powerful templates, developers can deliver high-quality applications that meet business needs while adhering to SAP Fiori design guidelines.