How To Fix BA053 - Variant &1 of program &2 does not exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BA - Data Archiving

• Message number: 053

• Message text: Variant &1 of program &2 does not exist

What causes this issue?

System cannot start program as no variant exists, or the specified
variant does not exist in the the current client.

System Response

How to fix this error?

Create an appropriate variant, for example using
Transaction SARA -> Customizing -> Archiving object-specific Customizing
-> Technical settings

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BA053 - Variant &1 of program &2 does not exist ?

  The SAP error message BA053 indicates that a specific variant of a program does not exist in the system. This error typically occurs when a user tries to execute a report or transaction that requires a specific variant, but that variant has not been created or has been deleted.
  Cause:
  
  Non-existent Variant: The variant specified in the execution does not exist in the system.
  Incorrect Program Name: The program name provided may be incorrect or misspelled.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the variant.
  Transport Issues: If the variant was transported from another system, it may not have been included in the transport request.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Variant Existence:
  
  Go to the transaction code for the program (e.g., SE38 or SA38).
  Enter the program name and click on the "Variants" button to see if the specified variant exists.
  
  
  
  Create or Modify Variant:
  
  If the variant does not exist, you can create it by clicking on the "Create" button in the variants screen.
  Fill in the necessary selection criteria and save the variant.
  
  
  
  Verify Program Name:
  
  Ensure that the program name is correct. Check for any typos or incorrect entries.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the variant. This can be checked with the help of a security administrator.
  
  
  
  Transport Check:
  
  If the variant was supposed to be transported from another system, check the transport logs to ensure it was included and successfully imported.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If the issue persists, consult the documentation for the specific program or reach out to your SAP support team for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: SE38 (ABAP Editor), SA38 (Execute Report)
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  User Roles: Review user roles and authorizations in transaction PFCG to ensure proper access to the program and its variants.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the BA053 error and successfully execute the desired program with the appropriate variant.