How To Fix SMARTFORMS153 - The name of the field symbol &1 must start with '<' and end with '>'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SMARTFORMS - Smart Forms - Form Builder

• Message number: 153

• Message text: The name of the field symbol &1 must start with '<' and end with '>'

What causes this issue?

The name of a field symbol always has to start with '
<' and end with '>'. Other names are not permitted.

System Response

The operation was terminated.

How to fix this error?

Specify a field symbol name that starts with '
<' and ends with '>'.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SMARTFORMS153 - The name of the field symbol &1 must start with '<' and end with '>' ?

  The SAP error message SMARTFORMS153 indicates that there is an issue with the naming convention of a field symbol in a Smart Form. Specifically, the error states that the name of the field symbol must start with '<' and end with '>'. This is a requirement for field symbols in Smart Forms to ensure they are correctly recognized and processed.
  Cause:
  The error typically occurs when:
  
  A field symbol is defined incorrectly in the Smart Form.
  The field symbol name does not adhere to the required syntax, which mandates that it starts with '<' and ends with '>'.
  There may be a typo or formatting issue in the field symbol name.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, follow these steps:
  
  
  Open the Smart Form: Go to the Smart Forms transaction (SMARTFORMS) and open the Smart Form that is generating the error.
  
  
  Locate the Field Symbol: Navigate to the area of the Smart Form where the field symbol is defined or used.
  
  
  Check the Field Symbol Name: Ensure that the field symbol name is correctly formatted. It should look something like <field_symbol_name>.
  
  
  Correct the Name: If the field symbol name does not follow the required format, modify it to start with '<' and end with '>'. For example, if the field symbol is named myField, change it to <myField>.
  
  
  Save and Activate: After making the necessary changes, save the Smart Form and activate it.
  
  
  Test the Smart Form: Execute the Smart Form to ensure that the error has been resolved and that it functions as expected.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Field Symbols: In SAP, field symbols are placeholders that can point to different data objects at runtime. They are defined using the syntax <field_symbol_name>.
  Smart Forms: Smart Forms is a tool in SAP for designing and maintaining forms for print layout. It allows users to create forms without needing extensive programming knowledge.
  Debugging: If you continue to encounter issues, consider using the debugging tools available in SAP to trace the execution and identify where the error is occurring.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SMARTFORMS153 error and ensure that your Smart Form is functioning correctly.