Show 'Text' Document contents instead of using Document Links

Question

I have a requirement from my customer that requires comments to be stored and display both on the planning layout and display instantly in query.
I am aware that documents which type other than text is stored in BIN form, so my first approach is just to assume to work with document with type 'TEXT'.
I am aware this can be partly achieved by using the document links, but are there ways to get round of using document "links"? We want to show <b>instantly</b> the content of the document when the layout is opened and when BW query with the right combinations of characteristic values are displayed.

Answer 1

Yes, for bex, it works only in workbook.
Check F.Group: SKWF_CONTENT. There are many FM for documents which you can use.
Here are the VBA Code part for calling RFC FM :
Public Function BW_DOCUMENT_READ()
  Application.ScreenUpdating = False
' Declaration
  Dim FuncCtrl As Object
  Dim ABAP_FUNC As Object
  Dim ABAP_TAB_E_DOCUMENT_PROPERTY As Object
  Dim ABAP_TAB_E_DOCUMENT_CONTENT As Object
  Dim Row As Object
' Class Declaration
  Set FuncCtrl = CreateObject("SAP.Functions")
' Transfer SapConnection
  FuncCtrl.Connection = SapConnection
' Setting ABAP Functions and parameters
'   Func Name
    Set ABAP_FUNC = FuncCtrl.Add(ABAP_FUNC_NAME)
'   Func Export Params
    ABAP_FUNC.Exports(ABAP_FUNC_EX_PARAM1) = SAP_QUERY_DESCP
    ABAP_FUNC.Exports(ABAP_FUNC_EX_PARAM2) = SapConnection.Language
'   Excute Function
    CALL_ABAP_FUNC = ABAP_FUNC.Call
'   Check Function Call return
    If ABAP_FUNC.Exception <> "" Or Not CALL_ABAP_FUNC Then
       Call COLLECT_MESSAGE(Msgtxt001 & ABAP_FUNC.Exception)
       'MsgBox Msgtxt001 & ABAP_FUNC.Exception
    Else
    ' Func Import Params
      BW_BEX_SUBTOTAL_TEXT = ABAP_FUNC.Imports(ABAP_FUNC_IM_PARAM1)
      BW_BEX_TOTAL_TEXT = ABAP_FUNC.Imports(ABAP_FUNC_IM_PARAM2)
      BW_DOC_URL_PREFIX = ABAP_FUNC.Imports(ABAP_FUNC_IM_PARAM3)
    ' Doc Content
      X_pos = 1
      ' Create Header for Doc content
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_CONT, X_pos, 1, "Document Nr.")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_CONT, X_pos, 2, "Document Line Nr.")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_CONT, X_pos, 3, "Document Content")
      ' Fill Doc content
        For Each Row In ABAP_FUNC.Tables(ABAP_FUNC_TABLE2).Rows
          X_pos = X_pos + 1
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_CONT, X_pos, 1, Row("DOCNR"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_CONT, X_pos, 2, Row("LINENR"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_CONT, X_pos, 3, Row("LINE"))
        Next
    ' Doc Properties
      X_pos = 1
      ' Create Header for Doc content
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 1, "Document Nr.")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 2, "Property Name")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 3, "Property Value")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 4, "Language")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 5, "Text Short")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 6, "Text Long")
      ' Fill Doc Property
        For Each Row In ABAP_FUNC.Tables(ABAP_FUNC_TABLE1).Rows
          X_pos = X_pos + 1
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 1, Row("DOCNR"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 2, Row("NAME"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 3, Row("Value"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 4, Row("LANGU"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 5, Row("TXTSH"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP, X_pos, 6, Row("TXTLG"))
         Next
    ' Infoobjects Text
      X_pos = 1
      ' Create Header
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 1, "Infoobject Name")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 2, "Language")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 3, "Text Short")
        Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 4, "Text Long")
      ' Fill Texts
        For Each Row In ABAP_FUNC.Tables(ABAP_FUNC_TABLE3).Rows
          X_pos = X_pos + 1
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 1, Row("IOBJNM"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 2, Row("LANGU"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 3, Row("TXTSH"))
          Call WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT, X_pos, 4, Row("TXTLG"))
        Next
    End If
    Application.Worksheets(SHEET_NAME_DOC_CONT).Select
    Range("A2").Select: Selection.End(xlDown).Select
    MAX_NR_DOC = Selection.Value
    Cells.Select: Cells.EntireColumn.AutoFit
    Application.Worksheets(SHEET_NAME_DOC_PROP).Select
    Cells.Select: Cells.EntireColumn.AutoFit
    Application.Worksheets(SHEET_NAME_IOBJ_TEXT).Select
    Cells.Select: Cells.EntireColumn.AutoFit
End Function
Private Function WRITE_DOC_TABLES(SHEET_NAME, I_X, I_Y, I_TEXT)
  Application.ScreenUpdating = False
  Set DOC_POS = Application.Worksheets(SHEET_NAME)
  DOC_POS.Cells(I_X, I_Y).NumberFormat = "@"
  DOC_POS.Cells(I_X, I_Y).Value = I_TEXT
End Function
For the BW Web, you can searh in how to paper from Tobias Kaufmann. Or search for Doc: "WEB API REFERENCE". In that Doc, search for the topic: 'WEB DESIGN API FOR TABLES'. There you will get all info needed, about how to enhance BW Web application designer.
There is no possibility for me to attach that doc here. sorry, you have to search it by your self, or send me your email.
Hope it helps.
Best Regards,
Suan Liono