How To Fix BT171 - Documentation for external programs cannot be displayed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BT - Background processing messages

• Message number: 171

• Message text: Documentation for external programs cannot be displayed

What causes this issue?

You asked the system to display the documentation of a program that is
not part of the SAP System. The background processing system can only
display the documentation of programs written in ABAP/4.

System Response

No action taken.

How to fix this error?

To display the program's documentation, you must use an editor in your
host system.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BT171 - Documentation for external programs cannot be displayed ?

  The SAP error message BT171 indicates that the system is unable to display documentation for external programs. This can occur for several reasons, and understanding the cause is essential for finding a solution. Here are some common causes, potential solutions, and related information:
  Causes:
  
  Missing Documentation: The documentation for the external program may not be available in the system.
  Incorrect Configuration: The system may not be properly configured to access the documentation.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to view the documentation.
  Network Issues: If the documentation is stored externally, network issues may prevent access.
  System Errors: There may be underlying system errors or misconfigurations affecting the display of documentation.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Documentation Availability:
  
  Verify if the documentation for the external program is indeed available in the system. If not, you may need to upload or create the necessary documentation.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration Settings:
  
  Check the configuration settings related to external documentation. Ensure that the paths and settings are correctly defined in the system.
  
  
  
  User Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the documentation. This may involve checking roles and permissions in the SAP system.
  
  
  
  Network Connectivity:
  
  If the documentation is stored externally (e.g., on a web server), check the network connectivity and ensure that the server is accessible.
  
  
  
  System Logs:
  
  Review system logs (transaction codes like SLG1) for any related error messages that might provide more context on the issue.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error message. There may be patches or updates available that resolve the issue.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes like SE80 (Object Navigator) or SE37 (Function Module) to explore related objects and documentation.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they found effective.
  Documentation Standards: Ensure that your organization follows best practices for documenting external programs, which can help prevent such issues in the future.
  
  By systematically addressing these areas, you should be able to resolve the BT171 error and successfully display the required documentation for external programs.