How To Fix 37208 - Text, input/output field and icon cannot all be missing at the same time

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 37 - Screen Painter

• Message number: 208

• Message text: Text, input/output field and icon cannot all be missing at the same time

What causes this issue?

You are editing a text field or an input/output field.
If you are editing a field text, the text is blank and no icon has been
specified.
If you are editing an input/output field, the template is blank and no
icon has been specified.

System Response

The system interprets this as a blank screen element which it cannot
accept.

How to fix this error?

If you are editing a field text, at least specify a text or define an
icon.
If you are editing an input/output field, at least specify a template,
define a length (in order to create a template of this length) or
define an icon by setting the checkbox "With icon".

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 37208 - Text, input/output field and icon cannot all be missing at the same time ?

  The SAP error message 37208, which states "Text, input/output field and icon cannot all be missing at the same time," typically occurs in the context of SAP GUI programming, particularly when dealing with screen elements in a dialog program or a module pool.
  Cause:
  This error arises when a screen element (like a text field, input/output field, or icon) is expected to be present on a screen but is not defined correctly. Specifically, it indicates that the system requires at least one of these elements to be present, and if all three are missing, it cannot render the screen properly.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should:
  
  
  Check Screen Definition: Go to the screen painter (SE80 or SE41) and check the screen definition. Ensure that at least one of the following elements is defined:
  
  A text element (e.g., a label or description).
  An input/output field (e.g., a field where users can enter data).
  An icon (e.g., a button or graphic).
  
  
  
  Modify the Screen Layout: If you find that all three elements are missing, add at least one of them to the screen layout. This could involve:
  
  Adding a text label to describe the purpose of the screen.
  Adding an input/output field to allow user interaction.
  Adding an icon to provide a visual cue or action.
  
  
  
  Check for Conditional Logic: If your screen elements are conditionally displayed based on certain logic, ensure that the conditions are set correctly. Sometimes, elements may not appear due to logic that hides them under certain circumstances.
  
  
  Review Program Logic: If the screen is dynamically generated or modified at runtime, review the program logic to ensure that it correctly initializes and displays the necessary elements.
  
  
  Test the Changes: After making the necessary adjustments, test the screen to ensure that it displays correctly without triggering the error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may use transaction codes like SE80 (Object Navigator) or SE41 (Menu Painter) to access and modify screen elements.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for more information on screen programming and the requirements for screen elements.
  Debugging: If the issue persists, consider using the debugger to trace the program execution and identify where the screen elements are being defined or omitted.
  
  By ensuring that at least one of the required elements is present on the screen, you should be able to resolve the error message 37208 effectively.