How To Fix DH138 - Output field & on selection screen must be set by search help exit

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DH - DD: Messages for search helps

• Message number: 138

• Message text: Output field & on selection screen must be set by search help exit

What causes this issue?

The flag for the specified <DS:TX.DDDOK_SHLP_PARAMETER>parameter</> of
the search help is set, indicating that it should appear in the dialog
box as display field to restrict the values. Such a display is only
meaningful if the parameter has contents at the time when the dialog
box is displayed. Since the parameter is not an IMPORT parameter does
not have a default value, the parameter can only get a value by
assigning a value with the <DS:TX.DDDOK_SHLP_EXIT>search help exit</>
at a suitable <DS:TX.DDDOK_SHLP_STEP>time</>.

System Response

The action is continued.

How to fix this error?

Check if the search help exit really fulfills the function described.
If this is not the case, reset the flag in the maintenance transaction
of the ABAP Dictionary for the processed search help.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DH138 - Output field & on selection screen must be set by search help exit ?

  The SAP error message DH138 indicates that an output field on a selection screen must be set by a search help exit. This typically occurs when a selection screen is designed to use a search help (a feature that provides a list of possible values for a field) but the necessary logic to populate that field is not correctly implemented or is missing.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Search Help Exit: The search help associated with the field does not have an exit function defined, which is required to populate the field with the appropriate values.
  Incorrect Configuration: The search help might be incorrectly configured or not linked properly to the field on the selection screen.
  Field Attributes: The field may be defined in a way that requires a search help exit but is not set up to handle it.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Define a Search Help Exit: If you are a developer, you need to create a search help exit function module that will provide the necessary logic to populate the field. This function module should be defined in the ABAP Workbench (transaction SE80 or SE37).
  
  
  Link the Search Help to the Field: Ensure that the search help is correctly linked to the field in the selection screen. You can do this by:
  
  Going to the Data Dictionary (transaction SE11).
  Finding the search help and ensuring it is assigned to the correct field.
  Checking the field's attributes in the selection screen to ensure it is set to use the search help.
  
  
  
  Check Field Properties: Verify that the field properties are correctly set to allow for the search help. This includes checking the field type and ensuring it is compatible with the search help.
  
  
  Testing: After making the necessary changes, test the selection screen to ensure that the field is populated correctly when the search help is invoked.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Search Help: A search help in SAP is a tool that allows users to find and select values for a field. It can be a simple list or a more complex search that allows filtering.
  Function Module: A search help exit is typically implemented as a function module that is called when the search help is invoked. This module should contain the logic to retrieve and return the appropriate values.
  ABAP Development: Knowledge of ABAP programming is essential for creating and modifying search help exits and for debugging issues related to selection screens.
  
  If you are not a developer, you may need to contact your SAP technical team or a consultant to resolve this issue, as it involves changes to the underlying code and configuration.