How To Fix TD723 - The & character is not allowed in the format area

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 723

• Message text: The & character is not allowed in the format area

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message TD723 - The & character is not allowed in the format area ?

  The SAP error message TD723 indicates that the ampersand (&) character is not allowed in the format area of a text element. This error typically occurs when you are working with text elements in SAPscript or Smart Forms, where certain characters have specific meanings or restrictions.
  Cause:
  The error is caused by the presence of the & character in a place where it is not permitted. In SAPscript and Smart Forms, the & character is used as a placeholder for variables or fields. If it is included in the format area (for example, in a text element or a format string) without being properly escaped or used as intended, it will trigger this error.
  Solution:
  To resolve the TD723 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Text Element: Go to the text element where the error is occurring. Look for any instances of the & character.
  
  
  Remove or Replace the & Character: If the & character is not intended to be a placeholder, you can simply remove it or replace it with a different character (e.g., using "and" instead of "&").
  
  
  Escape the & Character: If you need to include the & character as part of the text, you can escape it by using double ampersands (&&). For example, if you want to display "A & B", you should write it as "A && B" in the text element.
  
  
  Review Formatting: Ensure that the format area does not contain any other invalid characters or formatting issues that could lead to similar errors.
  
  
  Test the Changes: After making the necessary adjustments, save your changes and test the output to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAPscript and Smart Forms: These are tools used in SAP for designing and printing forms. Understanding how to use text elements and format strings correctly is crucial for avoiding errors.
  Documentation: Refer to the SAP Help Portal or relevant SAP documentation for more details on text formatting and the use of special characters in SAPscript and Smart Forms.
  Debugging: If the error persists, consider using transaction codes like SMARTFORMS or SE71 to debug the form and identify the exact location of the error.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the TD723 error and successfully format your text elements in SAP.