How To Fix SMARTFORMS424 - You cannot delete the main variant in this way

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SMARTFORMS - Smart Forms - Form Builder

• Message number: 424

• Message text: You cannot delete the main variant in this way

What causes this issue?

You are trying to delete the main variant (*MAIN*) of a style. The main
variant cannot be deleted because it is the template for the other
variants of the style.

System Response

The main variant is not deleted.

How to fix this error?

If necessary, delete the whole style.

Procedure for System Administrators

The name of the main variant is not stored internally as '*MAIN*' but
rather as space (for example, field STXSVAR-VARI).

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SMARTFORMS424 - You cannot delete the main variant in this way ?

  The SAP error message SMARTFORMS424 ("You cannot delete the main variant in this way") typically occurs when you attempt to delete the main variant of a Smart Form. In SAP Smart Forms, a variant is a specific configuration of a form that can be used for different purposes or scenarios. The main variant is the default version of the form and cannot be deleted directly through the standard deletion process.
  Cause:
  The error arises because the main variant is essential for the Smart Form's functionality. SAP restricts the deletion of the main variant to prevent issues that could arise from having no default version of the form.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Change the Main Variant: If you need to delete the main variant, you must first create a new variant and set it as the main variant. Here’s how:
  
  Open the Smart Form in transaction SMARTFORMS.
  Create a new variant by copying the existing one or creating a new one.
  Set the new variant as the main variant by selecting it and using the appropriate option to mark it as the main variant.
  Once you have a new main variant, you can then delete the old main variant.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction SMARTFORMS: 
  
  Go to transaction SMARTFORMS.
  Enter the name of the Smart Form.
  Navigate to the "Variants" section.
  Create a new variant and set it as the main variant.
  After this, you can delete the old main variant.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to modify Smart Forms and their variants. Lack of proper permissions can sometimes lead to unexpected errors.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Smart Forms Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for Smart Forms for more detailed information on managing variants.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific issues or updates related to Smart Forms and variants.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for discussions and solutions shared by other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SMARTFORMS424 error and manage your Smart Form variants effectively.