How To Fix KH438 - The "optimal column width" was chosen for the report printout

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KH - CO-PA Reporting

• Message number: 438

• Message text: The "optimal column width" was chosen for the report printout

What causes this issue?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

INCLUDE 'RKCDUMONSPBW' OBJECT DOKU ID TX

System Response

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 KH438 - The "optimal column width" was chosen for the report printout ?

  The SAP error message KH438 indicates that the system has automatically selected the "optimal column width" for a report printout. This message is not necessarily an error but rather an informational message that informs users that the column widths in the report have been adjusted for optimal display.
  Cause:
  The cause of this message is typically related to the formatting of the report. When generating a report, SAP evaluates the content of the columns and adjusts their widths to ensure that all data is displayed clearly and without truncation. This can happen due to:
  
  Changes in the data being reported (e.g., longer text entries).
  Adjustments in the report layout or settings.
  User-defined settings that influence how reports are displayed.
  
  Solution:
  Since this message is informational, there is usually no need for a specific solution. However, if you want to customize the column widths or prevent the automatic adjustment, you can consider the following options:
  
  
  Manual Adjustment: If you want to set specific column widths, you can manually adjust the column widths in the report layout settings before printing.
  
  
  Report Layout Configuration: Check the report layout configuration in the SAP system. You may have options to define fixed column widths or other formatting settings.
  
  
  User Settings: Review your user settings in SAP. Sometimes, user preferences can affect how reports are displayed.
  
  
  Print Preview: Use the print preview option to see how the report will look before printing. This can help you identify if the automatic adjustments are acceptable or if further changes are needed.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about how to adjust the report settings, refer to the SAP documentation or help resources specific to the report you are working with.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address specific issues related to report formatting or the KH438 message.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar messages and how they resolved them.
  Training: If you frequently work with reports in SAP, consider training on report generation and formatting to better understand how to manage these settings.
  
  In summary, KH438 is an informational message about column width adjustments, and while it does not indicate an error, you can customize report settings if needed.