What is reference characteristic in SAP CA-CL - Classification?

SAP Term: reference characteristic

• Component: CA-CL

• Component Name: Classification

• Description: Characteristic that is created with reference to a table field. The essential data such as format and length is copied from the field in the ABAP Dictionary. You can assign a reference characteristic to a class. If the table field for example, table MARA, field WERKSTOFF contains a value, you see this value when you classify the object. You can also use reference characteristics as additional search criteria for finding objects additional characteristics.

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• Key Concepts: 
  Reference characteristics are used in the CA-CL Classification component of SAP to define characteristics that can be used to classify objects. These characteristics are used to assign values to objects, such as materials, customers, and vendors. The values assigned to the reference characteristics can then be used to group objects into categories for reporting and analysis. 
  
  How to use it: 
  Reference characteristics are created in the CA-CL Classification component of SAP. Once created, they can be assigned to objects in the system. The values for the reference characteristics can be changed at any time, allowing for dynamic classification of objects. 
  
  Tips & Tricks: 
  When creating reference characteristics, it is important to consider how they will be used in the system. This will help ensure that the values assigned to the reference characteristics are meaningful and useful for reporting and analysis. 
  
  Related Information: 
  Reference characteristics are closely related to classification nodes, which are used to group objects into categories. Classification nodes can be created in the CA-CL Classification component of SAP and assigned to reference characteristics. This allows for more detailed classification of objects in the system.