How To Fix C0840 - - Text symbol &1: Invalid reference to control characteristic &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: C0 - PP-PI: Messages for PI Sheet and Syntax Checker

• Message number: 840

• Message text: - Text symbol &1: Invalid reference to control characteristic &2

What causes this issue?

The process instruction contains text symbol &V1& that refers to a
control characteristic. However, the process instruction assistant only
supports text symbols with characteristic numbers if they refer to
message characteristics.

System Response

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

If the control characteristic is used only once in the process
instruction, the text symbol is processed correctly in the process
instruction assistant.
If the control characteristic is used more than once, the system
creates a text symbol referring to the first use of the characteristic
when you exit the PI assistant.

How to fix this error?

If the control recipe is used more than once, carry out the following
steps to suit your requirements:
Delete the text symbol.
Correct the text symbol on the characteristic overview when you have
exited the process instruction assistant.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message C0840 - - Text symbol &1: Invalid reference to control characteristic &2 ?

  The SAP error message C0840, which states "Text symbol &1: Invalid reference to control characteristic &2," typically occurs in the context of SAP's configuration or development environments, particularly when dealing with text symbols and control characteristics in screen programming or ABAP development.
  Cause:
  
  
  Invalid Reference: The error indicates that there is an invalid reference to a control characteristic. This could happen if:
  
  The control characteristic specified does not exist.
  There is a typo in the name of the control characteristic.
  The control characteristic is not defined in the context where it is being referenced.
  
  
  
  Text Symbol Issues: The text symbol referenced may not be correctly defined or may not correspond to the expected control characteristic.
  
  
  Development Environment Issues: If you are working in a custom program or screen, there may be issues with how the screen elements are defined or how the text symbols are being used.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Control Characteristics: Verify that the control characteristic referenced in the error message is correctly defined in the relevant context. Ensure that it exists and is spelled correctly.
  
  
  Review Text Symbols: Check the text symbol referenced in the error message. Make sure it is defined in the appropriate text symbol table and that it corresponds to the expected control characteristic.
  
  
  Debugging: If you are a developer, use the ABAP debugger to trace the execution of the program or screen where the error occurs. This can help identify where the invalid reference is being made.
  
  
  Screen Painter: If the error occurs in a screen, use the Screen Painter to review the properties of the screen elements and ensure that all references are valid.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or help resources related to the specific module or functionality you are working with to ensure that you are following the correct procedures.
  
  
  Transport Requests: If the issue arose after a transport, ensure that all necessary objects were included in the transport request and that they were imported correctly.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions to common problems.
  Community Forums: Consider searching or posting in SAP community forums or discussion groups, as other users may have encountered and resolved similar issues.
  SAP Help Portal: Utilize the SAP Help Portal for detailed documentation on screen programming and text symbols.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing the C0840 error message in your SAP environment.