How To Fix BA177 - The retrieval program can only run in the background

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BA - Data Archiving

• Message number: 177

• Message text: The retrieval program can only run in the background

What causes this issue?

You tried to retrieve files from a storage system outside the
transaction SARA. Consequently, the retrieval program terminated.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Start the retrieval from transaction SARA.

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 BA177 - The retrieval program can only run in the background ?

  The SAP error message BA177, which states "The retrieval program can only run in the background," typically occurs when a user attempts to execute a program or report that is designed to run only in the background processing mode. This is common in scenarios where the program is expected to handle large volumes of data or perform extensive processing that could take a significant amount of time, making it unsuitable for interactive execution.
  Cause:
  
  Program Design: The program or report is specifically designed to run in the background due to its complexity or the amount of data it processes.
  User Execution Mode: The user is trying to execute the program in the foreground (interactive mode) instead of the background.
  System Configuration: Certain configurations or settings in the SAP system may enforce background execution for specific programs.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the BA177 error, you should execute the program in the background. Here’s how you can do that:
  
  
  Use Transaction Code: 
  
  Go to the transaction code associated with the program (e.g., SE38 for executing reports).
  Enter the program name and instead of executing it directly, choose the option to run it in the background.
  
  
  
  Schedule Background Job:
  
  Use transaction code SM36 to create a background job.
  Enter the job name, specify the program name, and set the necessary parameters.
  Schedule the job to run immediately or at a later time as per your requirement.
  
  
  
  Monitor Job Status:
  
  After scheduling the job, you can monitor its status using transaction code SM37 to check if it has completed successfully or if there were any issues.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Background Processing: Background processing in SAP allows for the execution of long-running tasks without user intervention, freeing up resources for other tasks.
  Job Scheduling: Familiarize yourself with job scheduling in SAP, including how to set up job variants and manage job priorities.
  Performance Considerations: Running resource-intensive programs in the background can help improve system performance and user experience, especially in production environments.
  
  If you continue to encounter issues or if the program is not behaving as expected, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis team or check the program documentation for any specific requirements or limitations.