Performance Issues and Solutions

Guide to identifying and resolving performance problems in abap2xlsx applications.

Common Performance Issues

Large Dataset Processing

When processing large amounts of data, consider these optimization strategies:

Use Appropriate Writers

" For very large files (>100MB), use huge file writer
DATA: lo_writer TYPE REF TO zcl_excel_writer_huge_file.
CREATE OBJECT lo_writer.

" For standard files, use regular writer
DATA: lo_writer_std TYPE REF TO zcl_excel_writer_2007.
CREATE OBJECT lo_writer_std.

Batch Processing

Process data in manageable chunks:

DATA: lv_batch_size TYPE i VALUE 1000,
      lv_current_row TYPE i VALUE 1.

" Process internal table in batches
LOOP AT lt_data INTO DATA(ls_data).
  " Add data to worksheet
  lo_worksheet->set_cell( 
    ip_column = 'A' 
    ip_row = lv_current_row 
    ip_value = ls_data-field1 
  ).
  
  ADD 1 TO lv_current_row.
  
  " Commit batch every 1000 rows
  IF lv_current_row MOD lv_batch_size = 0.
    " Optional: Force garbage collection
    CALL FUNCTION 'SYSTEM_RESET_MEMORY'.
  ENDIF.
ENDLOOP.

Memory Optimization

Object Lifecycle Management

" Clear objects when no longer needed
CLEAR: lo_worksheet, lo_excel.

" Use local variables in loops
LOOP AT lt_large_table INTO DATA(ls_row).
  " Process row
  " Local variables are automatically cleared
ENDLOOP.

Efficient Data Structures

" Use appropriate data types
DATA: lv_string TYPE string,      " For variable length text
      lv_char10 TYPE c LENGTH 10, " For fixed length text
      lv_packed TYPE p DECIMALS 2. " For numeric data

Performance Monitoring

Runtime Measurement

" Measure specific operations
GET RUN TIME FIELD DATA(lv_start).

" Your Excel operations
lo_worksheet->set_cell_range( 
  ip_range = 'A1:Z1000'
  ip_values = lt_data 
).

GET RUN TIME FIELD DATA(lv_end).
DATA(lv_duration) = lv_end - lv_start.

IF lv_duration > 1000000. " More than 1 second
  MESSAGE |Operation took { lv_duration } microseconds| TYPE 'W'.
ENDIF.

Memory Monitoring

" Monitor memory usage
DATA: lv_memory_initial TYPE i,
      lv_memory_current TYPE i.

CALL FUNCTION 'MEMORY_GET_INFO'
  IMPORTING
    allocated_bytes = lv_memory_initial.

" Perform operations
" ...

CALL FUNCTION 'MEMORY_GET_INFO'
  IMPORTING
    allocated_bytes = lv_memory_current.

DATA(lv_memory_increase) = lv_memory_current - lv_memory_initial.
WRITE: / 'Memory increase:', lv_memory_increase, 'bytes'.

Optimization Strategies

Cell Operations

Bulk Operations vs Individual Cells

" Inefficient: Setting cells individually
LOOP AT lt_data INTO DATA(ls_data).
  lo_worksheet->set_cell( 
    ip_column = 'A' 
    ip_row = sy-tabix 
    ip_value = ls_data-value 
  ).
ENDLOOP.

" Efficient: Using range operations where possible
lo_worksheet->set_cell_range(
  ip_range = 'A1:A1000'
  ip_values = lt_data
).

Style Application

" Create style once, reuse multiple times
DATA(lo_style) = lo_excel->add_new_style( ).
lo_style->font->bold = abap_true.
lo_style->font->color->set_rgb( '0000FF' ).

" Apply to multiple cells
LOOP AT lt_headers INTO DATA(ls_header).
  lo_worksheet->set_cell( 
    ip_column = ls_header-column
    ip_row = 1
    ip_value = ls_header-text
    ip_style = lo_style
  ).
ENDLOOP.

Formula Optimization

" Use efficient formula patterns
" Instead of: =A1+A2+A3+A4+A5
" Use: =SUM(A1:A5)

lo_worksheet->set_cell_formula(
  ip_column = 'F'
  ip_row = 1
  ip_formula = 'SUM(A1:E1)'
).

Background Processing

Using Background Jobs

" For very large Excel generation, use background processing
SUBMIT zdemo_excel_large_report
  WITH p_file = 'large_report.xlsx'
  VIA JOB 'EXCEL_GENERATION'
  NUMBER '001'
  AND RETURN.

Progress Indicators

" Show progress for long-running operations
DATA: lv_total_rows TYPE i,
      lv_processed TYPE i.

lv_total_rows = lines( lt_data ).

LOOP AT lt_data INTO DATA(ls_data).
  " Process row
  ADD 1 TO lv_processed.
  
  " Update progress every 100 rows
  IF lv_processed MOD 100 = 0.
    DATA(lv_percentage) = ( lv_processed * 100 ) / lv_total_rows.
    MESSAGE |Processing: { lv_percentage }% complete| TYPE 'S'.
  ENDIF.
ENDLOOP.

Performance Best Practices

1. Choose the Right Writer

   • Standard writer for files < 50MB
   • Huge file writer for files > 50MB
   • CSV writer for simple data exports

2. Optimize Data Access

   • Use SELECT statements with appropriate WHERE clauses
   • Avoid nested loops where possible
   • Use internal table operations efficiently

3. Memory Management

   • Clear objects when finished
   • Process data in batches
   • Monitor memory consumption

4. Style and Formatting

   • Create styles once, reuse multiple times
   • Apply formatting to ranges rather than individual cells
   • Use conditional formatting sparingly

5. Testing and Monitoring

   • Test with realistic data volumes
   • Monitor performance in production
   • Use profiling tools to identify bottlenecks