How To Fix TD409 - Character string was closed but not opened beforehand

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TD - SAPscript: Text editor, composer, forms, styles and fonts

• Message number: 409

• Message text: Character string was closed but not opened beforehand

What causes this issue?

The end of a character string is marked in the document although a
character string was not begun.

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?

In SAPscript, character strings begin with the mark <H><(><XX><)></>
and end with the mark <H><(></><)></>. Please remove the end mark or
insert a begin mark.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message TD409 - Character string was closed but not opened beforehand ?

  The SAP error message TD409, which states "Character string was closed but not opened beforehand," typically occurs in the context of ABAP programming. This error indicates that there is a mismatch in the use of quotation marks or string delimiters in your code. Specifically, it suggests that a closing quotation mark was found without a corresponding opening quotation mark.
  Cause:
  
  Mismatched Quotation Marks: The most common cause is that a string is being closed without being properly opened. For example, if you have a string that starts with a single or double quote but does not have a matching quote.
  Commented Code: Sometimes, if code is commented out incorrectly, it can lead to confusion in the parser, causing it to misinterpret the structure of the code.
  Concatenation Issues: If you are concatenating strings and there is a mistake in the syntax, it can lead to this error.
  Incorrect Use of Escape Characters: If you are using escape characters incorrectly, it can also lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Quotation Marks: Review your code to ensure that every opening quotation mark has a corresponding closing quotation mark. Pay attention to both single (') and double (") quotes.
  Review String Concatenation: If you are concatenating strings, ensure that the syntax is correct and that all strings are properly enclosed.
  Examine Comments: Make sure that comments are properly formatted and that they do not interfere with the code structure.
  Use Syntax Check: Utilize the ABAP syntax check feature in the SAP development environment (SE80 or SE38) to identify the exact line where the error occurs. This can help pinpoint the issue more quickly.
  Debugging: If the error is not immediately apparent, consider using debugging tools to step through the code and observe where the error arises.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for ABAP programming for more details on string handling and syntax rules.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums where developers discuss similar issues and share solutions.
  Code Review: If you are working in a team, consider having another developer review your code to catch any mistakes you might have overlooked.
  
  By carefully reviewing your code and ensuring that all string delimiters are correctly matched, you should be able to resolve the TD409 error.