How To Fix SOFFICEINTEGRATION172 - Only one document may be open at any one time

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SOFFICEINTEGRATION - Application and platform independent office integration

• Message number: 172

• Message text: Only one document may be open at any one time

What causes this issue?

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

System Response

How to fix this error?

Close other Office documents opened using R/3 and try again to open the
required document.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SOFFICEINTEGRATION172 - Only one document may be open at any one time ?

  The SAP error message SOFFICEINTEGRATION172 indicates that the SAP system is trying to open a document in the SAP Office Integration (SOFFICE) but is unable to do so because another document is already open. This is a common issue when using SAP's integration with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word or Excel.
  Cause:
  
  Multiple Document Instances: The error typically occurs when you attempt to open a second document while the first one is still open. SAP Office Integration allows only one document to be open at a time to prevent conflicts.
  Background Processes: Sometimes, background processes or instances of the Office application may not close properly, leading to the system thinking that a document is still open.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in SAP or the Office application that are causing this behavior.
  
  Solution:
  
  Close Existing Document: Ensure that any existing document opened through SAP is closed before trying to open a new one. Check both the SAP GUI and the Office application.
  Check Task Manager: If you believe that no documents are open, check the Task Manager (Windows) for any instances of the Office application that may be running in the background. End any unnecessary processes.
  Restart SAP GUI: Sometimes, simply restarting the SAP GUI can resolve the issue.
  Restart Office Application: Close and reopen the Office application (e.g., Word or Excel) to ensure that it is not holding onto any open documents.
  Check for Updates: Ensure that both SAP and the Office applications are up to date. Sometimes, bugs in older versions can cause integration issues.
  Configuration Settings: Review the configuration settings in SAP and the Office application to ensure they are set up correctly for integration.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to SOFFICEINTEGRATION172. SAP frequently updates its documentation and may have specific notes addressing this error.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  Documentation: Review the official SAP documentation regarding Office Integration for any specific requirements or limitations.
  
  If the problem persists after trying these solutions, it may be beneficial to contact your SAP support team for further assistance.