How To Fix PO213 - Page format & & is already in use

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PO - Spooler message

• Message number: 213

• Message text: Page format & & is already in use

What causes this issue?

This page format cannot be deleted because it is used in other tables.

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?

To delete the page format, proceed as follows:
-- Press F3 to return to the page formats.
-- From this list, call the delete function again. You will see a list
of tables in which this page format is used.
-- Delete the page format from these tables before it can be deleted
from the list of page formats.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PO213 - Page format & & is already in use ?

  The SAP error message "PO213 Page format & & is already in use" typically occurs when there is an attempt to use a page format that is currently being utilized by another document or process in the SAP system. This can happen in various contexts, such as when printing or generating documents that require specific page formats.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Usage: The specified page format is already in use by another print job or document.
  Configuration Issues: There may be a misconfiguration in the page format settings or the print layout.
  Locking Mechanism: SAP uses a locking mechanism to prevent multiple processes from using the same resources simultaneously, which can lead to this error if the resource is locked.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Active Print Jobs: Verify if there are any active print jobs using the same page format. You can do this by checking the spool requests in transaction code SP01 or SP02.
  Wait and Retry: If the page format is in use, wait for the current job to complete and then retry your operation.
  Change Page Format: If possible, change the page format for your document to one that is not currently in use.
  Review Configuration: Check the configuration of the page format in transaction SPAD (Spool Administration) to ensure it is set up correctly and not locked.
  Clear Locks: If you suspect that a lock is not being released properly, you may need to clear the lock. This can be done using transaction SM12 to view and delete any unnecessary locks.
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to the specific page format and its usage to ensure compliance with best practices.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SP01 / SP02: To view spool requests and print jobs.
  SPAD: To manage and configure spool settings and page formats.
  SM12: To manage and clear locks in the system.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  User Permissions: Ensure that the user has the necessary permissions to access and modify the page format settings.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis team or SAP support for further assistance.