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SAP IDoc Definition

An IDoc ("Intermediate Document") is a container for standardized data exchange. IDocs can be used to exchange data between two processes, between SAP systems, or between SAP and non-SAP systems.

An IDoc ("Intermediate Document") is a container for standardized data exchange. IDocs can be used to exchange data between two processes, between SAP systems, or between SAP and non-SAP systems.

 

IDocs are identified by an IDoc ID or Number that is unique within a client. This is important - the IDoc number on one system does not uniquely identify the same IDoc on another system!

IDocs are used to exchange data between two places that need it. You can think of IDocs simply as a standardized interface format, just like a REST API response that is consumed by a frontend. IDocs are created when an outbound ALE or EDI Process is executed. Both systems must be able to understand the semantics and syntax of the IDoc.

Some other important facts about IDocs:

SAP IDoc Blog Post Series

I have written a comprehensive series of blog posts about IDocs: