How To Fix KB503 - You cannot output the report. You must first make a selection

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KB - Controlling: Reporting

• Message number: 503

• Message text: You cannot output the report. You must first make a selection

What causes this issue?

You can access stored results with <ZH>Output report</>. No results
have yet been stored for this report.

System Response

Instead of <ZH>Output report</>, the SAP System automatically uses the
function <ZH>Choose report</>. You can output the report immediately
afterward.

How to fix this error?

Begin the selection report. You should activate the "Store results
permanently" parameter if you want to be able to reaccess the output
later without having to select the values again.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KB503 - You cannot output the report. You must first make a selection ?

  The SAP error message KB503, which states "You cannot output the report. You must first make a selection," typically occurs when a user attempts to generate a report without having specified the necessary selection criteria. This error is common in various SAP modules, particularly in reporting transactions.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the user has not provided the required selection parameters or criteria needed to generate the report. This could happen due to:
  
  Missing Input Fields: The user has not filled in mandatory fields in the selection screen.
  Incorrect Navigation: The user may have navigated to the report output without properly executing the selection screen.
  User Authorization: In some cases, the user may not have the necessary authorizations to view the report, leading to confusion.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the KB503 error, follow these steps:
  
  
  Check Selection Criteria:
  
  Go back to the selection screen of the report.
  Ensure that all mandatory fields are filled out correctly. Look for any fields marked with an asterisk (*) or highlighted in red, indicating they are required.
  
  
  
  Execute the Report:
  
  After filling in the necessary selection criteria, click on the "Execute" button (F8) to run the report.
  Ensure that you are not trying to access the output directly without executing the selection first.
  
  
  
  Review User Authorizations:
  
  If you believe you have filled in all the necessary fields and are still encountering the error, check with your SAP administrator to ensure you have the appropriate authorizations to run the report.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If the issue persists, refer to the SAP documentation or help files related to the specific report you are trying to run. There may be additional requirements or known issues documented.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If none of the above solutions work, consider reaching out to your internal SAP support team or SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with the transaction codes related to the report you are trying to run, as they may have specific requirements.
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on how to properly use the reporting tools within SAP to minimize errors related to selection criteria.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the KB503 error and successfully generate the desired report in SAP.