How To Fix OA186 - Error converting to PDF format

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: OA - SAP ArchiveLink: Messages for SAP ArchiveLink

• Message number: 186

• Message text: Error converting to PDF format

What causes this issue?

An error occurred during conversion of an outgoing document to PDF
format.

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?

Check whether your outgoing documents exist in a SAPScript format which
can be converted to PDF.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message OA186 - Error converting to PDF format ?

  The SAP error message OA186, which indicates an issue with converting documents to PDF format, can arise due to several reasons. Here are some common causes, potential solutions, and related information:
  Causes:
  
  Missing or Incorrect PDF Conversion Software: The system may not have the necessary PDF conversion software installed or configured correctly.
  Incorrect MIME Type Settings: The MIME type for PDF may not be set correctly in the SAP system.
  Insufficient Authorizations: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to perform the PDF conversion.
  Temporary System Issues: There may be temporary issues with the SAP system or the underlying infrastructure.
  Document Size or Complexity: The document being converted may be too large or complex, leading to conversion failures.
  Network Issues: If the conversion relies on external services or resources, network issues may prevent successful conversion.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check PDF Conversion Software:
  
  Ensure that the necessary PDF conversion software (like SAP Interactive Forms or Adobe Document Services) is installed and configured correctly.
  Verify that the software is up to date.
  
  
  
  Review MIME Type Settings:
  
  Check the MIME type settings in the SAP system to ensure that PDF is correctly configured.
  You can do this in transaction code SICF by navigating to the relevant service and checking the MIME type.
  
  
  
  Verify User Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to perform the PDF conversion. This may involve checking roles and permissions in the user profile.
  
  
  
  Check System Logs:
  
  Review the system logs (transaction SM21) for any additional error messages or warnings that may provide more context about the issue.
  
  
  
  Test with Different Documents:
  
  Try converting a different document to see if the issue is specific to a particular document or a general problem with the conversion process.
  
  
  
  Restart Services:
  
  If the issue persists, consider restarting the relevant services or the entire SAP system to resolve any temporary issues.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide patches and updates.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If none of the above solutions work, consider reaching out to SAP Support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SICF, SM21, and SU01 for checking configurations, logs, and user authorizations.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to PDF conversion and the specific software being used for more detailed troubleshooting steps.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the OA186 error in SAP.