How To Fix SPOC278 - Print control &1 for &2: &3 is not a valid hexadecimal charcater

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SPOC - Spool: C Call Messages

• Message number: 278

• Message text: Print control &1 for &2: &3 is not a valid hexadecimal charcater

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SPOC278 - Print control &1 for &2: &3 is not a valid hexadecimal charcater ?

  The SAP error message SPOC278 indicates that there is an issue with the print control character in the context of printing documents. Specifically, the error message states that a certain character is not a valid hexadecimal character, which is likely causing the printing process to fail.
  Cause:
  The error typically arises due to one of the following reasons:
  
  Invalid Print Control Character: The print control string being used contains characters that are not valid hexadecimal characters (0-9, A-F).
  Data Corruption: The data being sent to the printer may have been corrupted or improperly formatted, leading to invalid characters.
  Configuration Issues: There may be issues with the configuration of the print settings or the printer itself, which could lead to the generation of invalid control characters.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SPOC278 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Print Control Characters:
  
  Review the print control string being used in the print program or configuration. Ensure that it only contains valid hexadecimal characters (0-9, A-F).
  If you are using custom print programs or scripts, verify that they are generating the correct control characters.
  
  
  
  Review Data Formatting:
  
  Ensure that the data being sent to the printer is properly formatted and does not contain any unexpected or invalid characters.
  If the data is coming from a database or external source, check for any data integrity issues.
  
  
  
  Printer Configuration:
  
  Check the configuration settings of the printer in SAP. Ensure that the printer is correctly set up to handle the types of documents you are trying to print.
  If necessary, reconfigure the printer settings or try using a different printer to see if the issue persists.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Support:
  
  Search for relevant SAP Notes in the SAP Support Portal that may address this specific error. There may be patches or updates available that resolve known issues related to print control characters.
  If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, perform a test print to verify that the issue has been resolved. Monitor the output for any further errors.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation for more details on print control characters and their usage in SAP.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SPAD (Spool Administration) to manage printer settings and configurations.
  Debugging: If you have access to development tools, consider debugging the print program to trace where the invalid character is being introduced.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the SPOC278 error in your SAP environment.