How To Fix W3_TOOL021 - There is no data on the clipboard

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W3_TOOL - ITS: Maintenance Messages

• Message number: 021

• Message text: There is no data on the clipboard

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W3_TOOL021 - There is no data on the clipboard ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  W3_TOOL021: There is no data on the clipboard
  
  Cause:
  This error typically occurs when an SAP GUI script or a tool tries to access or paste data from the Windows clipboard, but the clipboard is empty or does not contain the expected data. In other words, the operation expects some data to be present on the clipboard, but it finds none.
  Common scenarios include:  
  
  Attempting to paste data into an SAP session via scripting or automation when nothing has been copied to the clipboard.  
  Clipboard data was cleared or overwritten before the paste operation.  
  Clipboard content is in an unexpected format or corrupted.  
  SAP GUI scripting or external tools (like Winshuttle, LSMW, or custom scripts) rely on clipboard data but fail because the clipboard is empty.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Ensure Data is Copied to Clipboard:
  
  Before running the script or tool, manually copy the required data to the clipboard. For example, highlight the data and press Ctrl+C or use the right-click context menu to copy.
  
  
  Check Clipboard Content:
  
  Use a clipboard viewer or simply paste (Ctrl+V) into a text editor (like Notepad) to verify that the clipboard contains the expected data.
  
  
  Avoid Clipboard Clearing:
  
  Make sure no other application or process clears or overwrites the clipboard between the copy and paste operations.
  
  
  Modify Script or Tool Logic:
  
  If you are using a custom script, add error handling to check if the clipboard contains data before attempting to paste. For example, in VBScript or PowerShell, check clipboard content length.
  
  
  SAP GUI Scripting Settings:
  
  Ensure SAP GUI scripting is enabled and working correctly. Sometimes scripting issues can cause clipboard operations to fail.
  
  
  Restart SAP GUI and/or PC:
  
  Occasionally, clipboard issues are caused by temporary glitches in the OS or SAP GUI. Restarting the SAP GUI or the computer can resolve such issues.
  
  
  Use Alternative Data Transfer Methods:
  
  If clipboard-based transfer is unreliable, consider using file-based data import/export or direct API calls instead of clipboard operations.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP GUI Scripting: Clipboard operations are common in SAP GUI scripting for automating data entry. Proper clipboard management is essential.  
  Windows Clipboard: The clipboard is a shared resource; other applications can interfere with its content.  
  Error Message Class: W3_TOOL messages are related to SAP GUI tools and scripting.  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes or OSS for any known issues related to clipboard and scripting errors.  
  Automation Tools: Tools like Winshuttle or LSMW that rely on clipboard data may require specific configurations or updates.
  
  
  Summary:
  The error W3_TOOL021 There is no data on the clipboard means the system expected clipboard data but found none. The solution is to ensure the clipboard contains the correct data before the operation, verify clipboard content, and handle clipboard operations carefully in scripts or tools.