How To Fix DS218 - Some dynpros exist that will be overwritten when copying

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DS - Messages for Editing Text Elements in ABAP Programs

• Message number: 218

• Message text: Some dynpros exist that will be overwritten when copying

What causes this issue?

Screens already exist for the new program. When copying/renaming, these
will be deleted and replaced by the screens of the old program. This
means that the screens of the new program may be lost.

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?

Copying: In partial selection, delete the "X" against the relevant
screens so that they are not copied.
Renaming: If you do not want to rename the screens as well, cancel the
function, copy (see above) and then delete.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DS218 - Some dynpros exist that will be overwritten when copying ?

  The SAP error message DS218 indicates that there are existing screen (dynpro) definitions in the target object that will be overwritten when copying a screen from one program to another. This typically occurs when you are trying to copy a screen from one ABAP program to another, and the target program already has screens defined with the same numbers.
  Cause:
  
  Screen Number Conflict: The most common cause of this error is that the target program already contains screens with the same screen numbers as those you are trying to copy.
  Development Environment: This can happen in a development environment where multiple developers are working on similar programs and may inadvertently create screens with the same numbers.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this issue, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Screens: Before copying, check the target program for existing screens. You can do this by navigating to the screen painter (SE80 or SE41) and reviewing the screen numbers.
  
  
  Rename Screens: If you want to keep both the existing and the new screens, you can rename the screens in the source program before copying. This can be done in the screen painter by changing the screen number.
  
  
  Overwrite Existing Screens: If the existing screens in the target program are no longer needed, you can choose to overwrite them. However, be cautious with this approach as it may lead to loss of functionality or data.
  
  
  Use a Different Target Program: If possible, consider copying the screens to a different target program that does not have conflicting screen numbers.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the implications of overwriting screens, consult your project documentation or speak with your team members to understand the impact.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like SE80 (Object Navigator) or SE41 (Menu Painter) to manage and view screen definitions.
  Screen Numbering Convention: It’s a good practice to establish a numbering convention for screens in your development team to avoid conflicts.
  Version Control: If your organization uses version control for ABAP developments, ensure that changes are tracked to prevent overwriting important screens inadvertently.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the DS218 error and successfully copy the dynpros as needed.