Initial & Not initial: In SAP we use initial & not initial keyword for internal table value check purpose. Initial means there is no records in the internal table. Like we have an internal table as IT_Doc. so we use initial keyword as: if IT_doc is initial. Give message " no record found". endif. Not initial: At least one record is in there. for similar internal table we can write : If IT_Doc is not initial. "then set logic to display the value". endif.