How To Fix PFM_GENERIC020 - An invalid Output Form was specified

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PFM_GENERIC - Messages to be reused on ADDON PT

• Message number: 020

• Message text: An invalid Output Form was specified

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PFM_GENERIC020 - An invalid Output Form was specified ?

  The SAP error message PFM_GENERIC020 ("An invalid Output Form was specified") typically occurs in the context of SAP's output management, particularly when dealing with forms for printing or displaying documents. This error indicates that the system cannot find or recognize the specified output form.
  Causes:
  
  Incorrect Form Name: The output form specified in the configuration or during the execution of a transaction does not exist or is misspelled.
  Form Not Activated: The output form may not be activated in the SAP system.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the specified output form.
  Form Type Mismatch: The form type specified may not match the expected type for the transaction or document being processed.
  Transport Issues: If the form was recently transported from another system, it may not have been properly imported or activated in the target system.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Form Name: Verify that the output form name is correct. Check for any typos or incorrect naming conventions.
  Activate the Form: If the form exists but is not activated, you can activate it using transaction SMARTFORMS or SE78 (for SAPscript forms).
  Check Authorizations: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the output form. This can be checked with the help of your SAP security team.
  Review Form Configuration: Go to the relevant configuration settings (e.g., transaction NACE for output types) and ensure that the output form is correctly assigned to the output type.
  Transport Check: If the form was recently transported, check the transport logs to ensure that it was successfully imported and activated in the target system.
  Debugging: If the issue persists, consider debugging the program or transaction that is generating the error to identify where the invalid form is being referenced.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  NACE: Output Types configuration.
  SMARTFORMS: To create or modify Smart Forms.
  SE78: To manage SAPscript forms.
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on output management and forms.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  
  If the problem continues after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis or technical team for further investigation.