How To Fix E0204 - Output was written to file '&'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: E0 - SAP EDI messages

• Message number: 204

• Message text: Output was written to file '&'

What causes this issue?

The selected results were written to the specified file correctly.

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?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message E0204 - Output was written to file '&' ?

  The SAP error message E0204, which states "Output was written to file '&'", typically indicates that a report or output has been generated and saved to a file instead of being displayed on the screen or printed. This can happen for various reasons, and understanding the cause and solution can help you address the issue effectively.
  Cause:
  
  Output Device Configuration: The output device may be configured to write to a file instead of displaying the output on the screen or sending it to a printer.
  User Settings: The user may have set their output preferences to save reports to a file.
  Program Logic: The ABAP program or report may have been designed to generate output in a file format (e.g., CSV, TXT) for further processing or storage.
  Spool Request: The output may have been directed to a spool request that is configured to save the output to a file.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Output Device Settings:
  
  Go to the transaction code SPAD (Spool Administration) and check the configuration of the output device being used. Ensure that it is set to display or print as required.
  
  
  
  Review User Output Settings:
  
  Check the user-specific output settings in transaction SU01 (User Maintenance) or SU3 (Maintain User Profile). Look for any settings that might direct output to a file.
  
  
  
  Modify Program Logic:
  
  If you have access to the ABAP code, review the program logic to see if it is intentionally set to write output to a file. You may need to modify the code to change the output behavior.
  
  
  
  Check Spool Requests:
  
  Use transaction SP01 (Spool Request) to check the status of the spool requests. You can view the details of the output and see if it was indeed directed to a file.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If the report or program is standard, consult the SAP documentation or help files to understand the intended output behavior.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP Notes for any known issues related to this error message.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SPAD: Spool Administration
  SU01: User Maintenance
  SU3: Maintain User Profile
  SP01: Spool Request
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or patches related to the specific report or program you are working with.
  Output Formats: Familiarize yourself with the different output formats supported by SAP, as this may help in understanding how to configure output settings.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the E0204 error message and implement a suitable solution.