How To Fix TN074 - Program may only run in background

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TN - Support Package Manager (SPAM) Messages

• Message number: 074

• Message text: Program may only run in background

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message TN074 - Program may only run in background ?

  The SAP error message TN074 ("Program may only run in background") typically occurs when a user attempts to execute a program that is designed to run only in the background, but they are trying to run it in the foreground. This is a common restriction for certain types of programs, especially those that are resource-intensive or designed to process large volumes of data.
  Cause:
  
  Program Design: The program is explicitly designed to be executed in the background. This is often the case for batch jobs, data processing tasks, or reports that require significant processing time.
  User Action: The user may have inadvertently tried to execute the program in the foreground instead of scheduling it as a background job.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the TN074 error, you should run the program in the background. Here’s how you can do that:
  
  
  Use Transaction SM36:
  
  Go to transaction code SM36 (Define Background Job).
  Enter a job name and specify the job class.
  In the "Steps" section, add the program you want to run.
  Schedule the job by specifying the start time and frequency.
  Save the job.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction SE38:
  
  Go to transaction code SE38 (ABAP Editor).
  Enter the program name.
  Instead of executing it directly, click on the "Execute in Background" button (or use the menu option for background execution).
  
  
  
  Use Transaction SA38:
  
  Go to transaction code SA38 (Execute Program).
  Enter the program name and select the option to execute it in the background.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Job Monitoring: After scheduling the job, you can monitor its status using transaction SM37 (Job Monitoring). This allows you to check if the job has completed successfully or if there were any errors during execution.
  Program Documentation: Check the program documentation or SAP notes for any specific requirements or parameters that need to be set when running the program in the background.
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to create and manage background jobs in your SAP system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to successfully execute the program without encountering the TN074 error.