How To Fix ES118 - Program can only be executed in the background!

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ES - ABAP Workbench: Repository Information System

• Message number: 118

• Message text: Program can only be executed in the background!

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ES118 - Program can only be executed in the background! ?

  The SAP error message ES118 ("Program can only be executed in the background") typically occurs when a program or report is designed to run only in the background processing mode, rather than in the foreground. This is often the case for programs that require significant processing time or that need to handle large volumes of data without user interaction.
  Cause:
  
  Program Design: The program is explicitly designed to run in the background. This is often indicated in the program's attributes or settings.
  Transaction Code: The transaction code used to execute the program may not support foreground execution.
  User Permissions: The user may not have the necessary permissions to execute the program in the foreground.
  System Configuration: Certain system configurations may restrict the execution of specific programs to background processing only.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Run in Background: The simplest solution is to execute the program in the background. You can do this by:
  
  Using the transaction code SM37 to monitor background jobs.
  Using the transaction code SE38 or SA38 to execute the program and selecting the "Execute in Background" option.
  If you are using a specific transaction code, look for an option to run it in the background.
  
  
  
  Check Program Attributes: If you have access to the ABAP development environment, you can check the program attributes in transaction SE80 or SE38 to confirm that it is set to run only in the background.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review any documentation or notes related to the program to understand its intended use and any specific instructions for execution.
  
  
  User Permissions: Ensure that your user role has the necessary permissions to execute the program. You may need to contact your SAP administrator for assistance.
  
  
  Contact Support: If you believe the program should be executable in the foreground or if you encounter issues running it in the background, consider reaching out to your SAP support team for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Background Jobs: Background jobs in SAP are typically used for long-running processes that do not require user interaction. You can schedule these jobs using transaction SM36.
  Monitoring Background Jobs: Use transaction SM37 to monitor the status of background jobs, check for errors, and review job logs.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or updates related to the specific program or transaction you are trying to execute.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the ES118 error and successfully execute the program as intended.