Automating ADHOC query reports to generate Emails

Question

Hi Experts
Hope you guys are doing fine.
I have a requirement where we need to automate the ADHOC query reports to trigger emails with the Excel attachment of the report to a set of users.
To explain in detail,we have some adhoc queries which are run manually on monthly basis(by our functional guys).Once the output report is generated,they used to download them into Excel document and send that to a set of users as an email attachment.
Now we are planning to automate the entire process,so that these query reports once set to run on monthly basis should trigger emails to set of users with the excel attachment.
Now,i am looking for solution on how to proceed on this.Since the program behind the query(which starts with AQ*) is not be a modifiable program,i can write any custom code here.Alternately,i planned to set a background job which runs the query and then use a  custom pgm which reads the spool no for the pgm and then to read the data from the spool into an internal table and then use a FM to send the internal table data as an email attachment.But wasn't sure of what FM's to use to read the spool no. and data from the spool.
Is there any alternate way to work on this or any suggestions on my assumed process would be really appreciated.
Thanks

Answer 1

Ok, here's what you do:
- Go to T/C: SQ01 and find your query
- From the menu at the top select Query>More functions>Display Report Name (copy the report name)
- Go to Transaction SO23 and create a new shared distribution list - give it a name and title, click the dropdown on folder and click the create folder button, give the folder a name and save/green tick.
- Click on the Dist. list content tab and enter all the external email addresses that the report should go to ( the recipient type should be internet address or via internet or something like that)
- Go to Transaction SM36 and click on the Job wizard button, go through the wizard entering the program name we copied earlier. In the print parameters section make sure it is set to print immediately, then on the spool list recipients button select the dropdown box, select distributions lists and find the one you created earlier. Define the variants, periods, time etc etc
- When the job runs it will process the output via SAPConnect (transaction SCOT) you will be able to see the status of the emails by going to transaction SCOT and selecting the menu option Utilities>Overview send requests.
Job Done, Chillax
PS: remember the output type of the query in SQ01 needs to be set to excel or whatever you require otherwise a PDF/html attachment will be created in the email.
PPS: If SAPConnect is not set up in your system speak to your basis guy to set it up - If you don't have any basis resource, it is really easy to set up, plenty of guides around.