SAP Fiori Elements is a framework that enables rapid development of SAP Fiori apps by leveraging metadata-driven UI generation. Central to this approach is the Annotation Model, which allows developers to describe the UI and its behavior declaratively, reducing the need for custom frontend coding. This article explores how the Fiori Elements Annotation Model works, its benefits, and how to effectively use it to build efficient, standardized SAP Fiori applications.
The Fiori Elements Annotation Model is a set of metadata annotations attached to the data model—typically CDS (Core Data Services) views or OData services—that describe how the UI should behave and appear. Instead of hand-coding every UI element, developers define annotations that specify:
These annotations enable Fiori Elements to generate consistent, role-based, and responsive UIs automatically.
OData services can include annotations either directly embedded or referenced externally via XML files. These annotations provide metadata about the entities, properties, navigation, and capabilities like CRUD support.
In SAP S/4HANA and ABAP environments, CDS views are the preferred way to define the data model along with UI annotations using ABAP CDS syntax. For example:
@UI.lineItem: [{ position: 10 }]
@UI.selectionField: [{ position: 20 }]
@UI.identification: [{ position: 30 }]
define view Z_Customer as select from ...
These specify UI-related behavior, such as:
Used to indicate supported operations:
These annotations help Fiori Elements know if and how Create, Update, and Delete operations are allowed.
By annotating a CDS view with @UI.LineItem, Fiori Elements renders a fully functional list report showing the defined fields in a table with sorting, filtering, and searching capabilities.
Annotations such as @UI.Facets and @UI.FieldGroup let developers organize fields into meaningful sections and tabs within an object page without writing UI code.
Capabilities annotations tell the framework if users can create, update, or delete entries. The framework automatically shows relevant buttons and dialog screens accordingly.
The Fiori Elements Annotation Model is a cornerstone of modern SAP Fiori development. It empowers developers to build scalable, maintainable, and consistent applications quickly by focusing on metadata rather than manual UI coding. Understanding and mastering these annotations is crucial for anyone looking to create efficient SAP Fiori Elements apps aligned with SAP’s UX standards.