How To Fix 37020 - Selection screen cannot be changed in Screen Painter.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 37 - Screen Painter

• Message number: 020

• Message text: Selection screen cannot be changed in Screen Painter.

What causes this issue?

A selection screen should be edited in change mode.
Selection screens are recreated automatically when the program they
belong to is generated.
Changes made to the selection screen are therefore lost when a program
is generated.

System Response

Selection screens can therefore not be changed in Screen Painter.

How to fix this error?

Change the selection screen by changing the relevant statements in the
declaration part of the program.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 37020 - Selection screen cannot be changed in Screen Painter. ?

  The SAP error message "37020: Selection screen cannot be changed in Screen Painter" typically occurs when you are trying to modify a selection screen in a way that is not allowed by the SAP system. This error is related to the use of the Screen Painter tool in SAP, which is used for designing screens in ABAP programs.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Context: The error usually arises when you attempt to modify a selection screen that is not designed to be changed in the Screen Painter. This can happen if you are trying to edit a standard SAP program or a selection screen that is locked for editing.
  Screen Type: The selection screen you are trying to modify may not be a standard screen that can be edited using the Screen Painter. Some screens are generated dynamically or are part of a standard SAP transaction.
  Authorization Issues: You may not have the necessary authorizations to make changes to the selection screen.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Program Type: Ensure that you are working on a custom program or a Z-program. If you are trying to modify a standard SAP program, you will not be able to do so directly.
  Use SELECTION-SCREEN Statement: Instead of using Screen Painter, you can define your selection screen using the SELECTION-SCREEN statement in the ABAP code. This allows you to create and modify selection screens programmatically.
  Create a Custom Screen: If you need to create a custom selection screen, consider creating a new custom program (Z-program) where you can define your selection screen without restrictions.
  Check Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to modify the program or selection screen. You may need to contact your SAP administrator for assistance.
  Use Transaction SE80: If you are using the Object Navigator (transaction SE80), ensure you are in the correct context (e.g., in the right package or program) when trying to make changes.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for more information on how to create and manage selection screens using ABAP.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues related to selection screens and Screen Painter.
  Community Forums: Consider visiting SAP community forums or discussion boards where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully modify your selection screen as needed.