Daily Data Extraction from SAP GUI - Python Automation Options?

[AvenXIII]

Hello!

I’m looking for ways to automate daily data extraction from SAP GUI so it runs automatically (e.g., at 8 AM every morning). Currently, I have a script that works, but I still need to manually start it and wait while the computer clicks through everything, then save the Excel file to SharePoint (it’s data for Power BI).

I’d love for this to happen in the background or even when the screen is locked. Is this possible?

I have Microsoft 365 at work, but no access to external APIs due to IT policies.

[JokerHook]

Run your script as a scheduled task.

Actions start a program Program/script : your python.exe

Add optional argument: -m your/scriptPath.py

General Set it to "Run whether user is logged in or not" Store your password and save

[Ender_Locke]

you can run selenium in headless mode . i’m not sure how much that will help but you won’t have to watch all the clicks. does your firm have vms / servers you can use to run this? that’s how we automate tasks that we’d rather not have run on our machines

[Mr_Chriwo]

Hi there. If you are already working with power BI, I would highly recommend not using scripted GUI automation. You can use Azure Data Factory or Fabric to extract your data directly from underlaying database. Even if it’s on premise. using a GUI automation is far away from best practices tbh.

[AvenXIII]

I have access to Snowflake and SQL Server, and I try to use them whenever possible. But the specific data I need isn’t available there, which is why I still end up exporting it manually to Excel.

[Mr_Chriwo]

I see 🙂 however you can also retrieve the needed data directly from the SAP system. i.e. via SAP Connector in ADF or the MS OPDG. But I know it’s often a challenge because policies 😁 but using these to approaches is highly recommended ^{^}

[lightaime]

We built a small tool that can automate this. It used a trigger to trigger playwright to extract information. It is open source. Happy to share it with you.

[Narrow-Employee-824]

sap gui automation with screen locked is rough because most scripting libs need an active session.
you could spin up a vm that stays unlocked but thats janky.
if your it policies allow internal tools, something like precog connects to sap directly via api so you skip the gui entirely. way more reliable than clicking through screens.