SAP ABAP: How to Split Strings (Methods & Examples)

Splitting Strings in SAP ABAP

In SAP ABAP, you can split a string into multiple parts using different methods depending on delimiter type, use case, and ABAP version.

1. Using SPLIT Statement (Basic Splitting)

The SPLIT statement is used to split a string based on a given delimiter into an internal table.

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'ABAP,SAP,HANA',
      lt_parts  TYPE TABLE OF string.

SPLIT lv_string AT ',' INTO TABLE lt_parts.

LOOP AT lt_parts INTO DATA(lv_part).
  WRITE: / lv_part.
ENDLOOP.

Output:

ABAP
SAP
HANA

• Splits the string at , and stores parts in lt_parts.
• Suitable when dealing with comma-separated values (CSV), spaces, or other delimiters.

2. Using SPLIT Into Individual Variables

If you want to split into specific variables instead of an internal table:

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'ABAP-SAP-HANA',
      lv_part1 TYPE string,
      lv_part2 TYPE string,
      lv_part3 TYPE string.

SPLIT lv_string AT '-' INTO lv_part1 lv_part2 lv_part3.

WRITE: lv_part1, lv_part2, lv_part3.  " Output: ABAP SAP HANA

• Each substring is assigned to a separate variable.
• If the string has fewer parts than variables, the extra variables remain empty.
• If the string has more parts than variables, extra parts are ignored.

3. Handling Extra Delimiters (Avoiding Empty Entries)

If the string contains consecutive delimiters, empty entries will be created.

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'ABAP,,SAP,HANA',
      lt_parts  TYPE TABLE OF string.

SPLIT lv_string AT ',' INTO TABLE lt_parts.

LOOP AT lt_parts INTO DATA(lv_part).
  WRITE: / lv_part.
ENDLOOP.

Output:

ABAP

SAP
HANA

• Empty line appears because of ,, (double comma).
• If needed, remove empty entries manually:

DELETE lt_parts WHERE table_line IS INITIAL.

4. Splitting String Based on Spaces

You can split a string at spaces (default behavior):

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'ABAP SAP HANA',
      lt_parts  TYPE TABLE OF string.

SPLIT lv_string AT space INTO TABLE lt_parts.

LOOP AT lt_parts INTO DATA(lv_part).
  WRITE: / lv_part.
ENDLOOP.

5. Using CONVERT STRING TO TABLE (ABAP 7.40+)

If working with structured text (like JSON, XML), convert it into an internal table.

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'ABAP|SAP|HANA',
      lt_parts  TYPE TABLE OF string.

CALL FUNCTION 'SCMS_STRING_TO_FTEXT'
  EXPORTING
    text   = lv_string
    delim  = '|'
  TABLES
    text_tab = lt_parts.

LOOP AT lt_parts INTO DATA(lv_part).
  WRITE: / lv_part.
ENDLOOP.

6. Splitting Using Regular Expressions (REGEX) (ABAP 7.40+)

For more complex cases, such as splitting on multiple delimiters, use regex.

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'ABAP, SAP | HANA',
      lt_parts  TYPE TABLE OF string.

SPLIT lv_string AT REGEX '[,| ]+' INTO TABLE lt_parts.

LOOP AT lt_parts INTO DATA(lv_part).
  WRITE: / lv_part.
ENDLOOP.

Explanation:

• [,| ]+ matches one or more occurrences of ,, |, or space.
• Multiple delimiters are handled together.
• Useful for data cleaning where inconsistent delimiters are used.

7. Extracting a Fixed Number of Words

If you want to extract only the first N words from a sentence:

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE 'SAP ABAP HANA S4',
      lv_first  TYPE string,
      lv_second TYPE string.

SPLIT lv_string AT space INTO lv_first lv_second.

WRITE: lv_first, lv_second.  " Output: SAP ABAP

Best Practices for Splitting Strings

🚀 Conclusion

• Use SPLIT for basic string splitting.
• Use SPLIT ... INTO TABLE when handling dynamic parts.
• Use REGEX for advanced pattern-based splitting.
• Remove empty values if needed after splitting.