How To Fix 5P208 - &: Blank character is missing after NEXTR, BREAK, or decision operation

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5P - Error Messages for Schema, Pers.Calc.Rule and Feature Checks

• Message number: 208

• Message text: &: Blank character is missing after NEXTR, BREAK, or decision operation

What causes this issue?

At least one blank character (' ') must follow a decision operation
and the operations BREAK and NEXTR.

How to fix this error?

Enter a blank behind the incorrect operation.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5P208 - &: Blank character is missing after NEXTR, BREAK, or decision operation ?

  The SAP error message 5P208 indicates that there is a syntax issue in your ABAP code, specifically related to the use of the keywords NEXTR, BREAK, or a decision operation (like IF, CASE, etc.). The error message suggests that there is a missing blank character (space) after one of these keywords, which is necessary for the correct parsing of the code.
  Cause:
  The error typically occurs when the ABAP code is not formatted correctly. For example, if you have a line of code that looks like this:
  NEXTR.
  or
  BREAK.
  or
  IFcondition.
  In these cases, the parser expects a space after the keyword to separate it from the following text or command.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to ensure that there is a space after the keywords NEXTR, BREAK, or any decision operation. Here are some examples of how to correct the code:
  
  
  For NEXTR:
  NEXTR.  " Correct usage
  
  
  For BREAK:
  BREAK.  " Correct usage
  
  
  For IF:
  IF condition.  " Correct usage
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Syntax Checking: Always run a syntax check on your ABAP code before executing it. This can help catch such errors early.
  Code Formatting: Use proper formatting and indentation in your code to improve readability and reduce the likelihood of such errors.
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP ABAP documentation for more details on syntax rules and best practices.
  
  By ensuring that you follow the correct syntax and formatting rules, you can avoid this error and improve the quality of your ABAP code.