Match (X) or copy option when installing business content Objects

Several possible column values exist for the Active version available column:

• If there is no symbol, then the object is not active. 
• A green circle icon  indicates that the object is active. You can keep the current active version or install the delivered version. 
• The date icon  shows that the current active version belongs to a previous release. SAP recom- mends that users install the latest version. 
• The diamond-shaped gray symbol  means that the object is inconsistent and not available for use. You need to transfer and activate the SAP-delivered D version again. Find the appropriate object in the far left column showing the available objects and drag and drop it into the Collected objects area as described in tip 5.

Always use the Match (X) or copy option when installing business content unless you are sure you want to overwrite any enhancements you have made. BI uses the Match (X) or copy column to merge your changes with new changes. If you have changed and activated the delivered objects from a previous release, you probably do not want the new delivered objects from a new release to overwrite the object and your changes. You normally should not replace the modified objects with the new delivered objects, but may want to enhance your modifications with the new features of the newly delivered version.

Note that the default setting for the Match (X) or copy check box is on. This stops accidental loss of work by preventing unwanted replacement of the active version with the new delivered version. TheMatch (X) or copy check box does nothing unless you check the Install box. The only way to replace the active version with the delivered version is to check the Install box and uncheck the Match (X) or copy box.

Let’s look at a few examples. Say you extended 0MATERIAL with a few custom InfoObjects. Then SAP delivers a new version of 0MATERIAL with a few additional InfoObjects. You may want to merge the new added InfoObjects with your previously enhanced 0MATERIAL. Thus, your version of 0MATERIAL would contain the new delivered InfoObjects along with your added custom InfoObjects.

You have to decide whether to use automatic matching or manual intervention. Use Automatic Matching when you still are using the object in the same way as before you transferred it from business content. Here’s a scenario in which you would use automatic matching: You have added and activated attributes to an InfoObject. The new SAP business content contains three additional attributes. Naturally, the new delivered version does not contain your new attributes. You want to use the newly delivered changes while preserving your previous work.

To accomplish this, select the check box in the Match (X) or copy column for that collected object. When you install that object, it retains your custom attributes as well as the new attributes. If you do not check the Match (X) or copy box, BI deletes your previous custom attributes, causing you to lose your previous work.