How To Fix PA177 - Select option PAPPERNR: Only EQ or BT are allowed, not &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PA - Recruitment Messages

• Message number: 177

• Message text: Select option PAPPERNR: Only EQ or BT are allowed, not &

Self-Explanatory Message

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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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PA177 - Select option PAPPERNR: Only EQ or BT are allowed, not & ?

  The SAP error message PA177 indicates that there is an issue with the selection criteria used in a report or transaction related to personnel numbers (PERNR) in the Human Capital Management (HCM) module. The message specifically states that only the "Equal" (EQ) or "Between" (BT) operators are allowed for the personnel number selection, but an invalid operator (represented by "&") has been used.
  Cause:
  The error is typically caused by one of the following:
  
  Invalid Operator: The selection criteria for personnel numbers (PERNR) includes an operator that is not permitted. In this case, the operator "&" is not recognized by the system.
  User Input Error: The user may have mistakenly entered an invalid operator in the selection screen.
  Custom Code or Enhancements: If there are any custom programs or enhancements that modify the selection criteria, they may be incorrectly configured.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Selection Criteria:
  
  Go back to the selection screen where you encountered the error.
  Ensure that you are using only the allowed operators:
  
  EQ (Equal): Use this operator to specify a single personnel number.
  BT (Between): Use this operator to specify a range of personnel numbers.
  
  
  
  
  
  Correct the Input:
  
  If you see an operator other than EQ or BT, replace it with the correct operator.
  For example, if you intended to select a specific personnel number, use EQ and enter the number directly.
  
  
  
  Review Custom Code:
  
  If you are using a custom report or transaction, check the code to ensure that it is correctly handling the selection criteria for personnel numbers.
  Make sure that the logic does not allow for invalid operators.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for the specific transaction or report you are using to understand the expected input format.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: The error may occur in various HCM-related transactions, such as PA20 (Display HR Master Data), PA30 (Maintain HR Master Data), or custom reports.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional context.
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on the correct usage of selection criteria in SAP to prevent similar errors in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the PA177 error and successfully execute your report or transaction.