How To Fix WRF_AT_GENERATE018 - Error initializing message formatting

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WRF_AT_GENERATE - Messages: Allocation Table Generation RTFASH/Ordering

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Error initializing message formatting

What causes this issue?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

System Response

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

The error occurred during the initialization of message formatting in
subroutine INIT_GLOBAL_VARIABLES.
The error message was caused by a call of function MESSAGES_INITIALIZE.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WRF_AT_GENERATE018 - Error initializing message formatting ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WRF_AT_GENERATE018 Error initializing message formatting
  
  Cause:
  This error typically occurs during the generation or processing of Adobe Interactive Forms (Adobe Lifecycle Forms) in SAP when the system fails to initialize the message formatting engine. The root causes can include:
  
  Missing or corrupted Adobe Document Services (ADS) configuration: The communication between SAP and ADS is not properly set up or ADS is not running.
  Incorrect or missing language or message class entries: The system cannot find or format the message text due to missing language-dependent message texts.
  Issues with the form interface or context: The form interface or context used in the Adobe form is not correctly defined or has inconsistencies.
  Authorization or system environment problems: Insufficient authorizations or system environment issues (e.g., missing fonts, incorrect SAP kernel patches).
  SAP kernel or patch incompatibility: Sometimes, outdated or incompatible kernel patches or SAP Notes not applied can cause this error.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the WRF_AT_GENERATE018 error, consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check Adobe Document Services (ADS):  
  
  Verify that the ADS server is up and running.  
  Check the ADS configuration in transaction SFP (Form Builder) and SICF (Internet Communication Framework).  
  Restart the ADS service if necessary.
  
  
  
  Verify Message Class and Language Settings:  
  
  Ensure that the message class used in the form or program contains the required message texts.  
  Check that the language of the message text is available and correctly maintained.
  
  
  
  Review the Form Interface and Context:  
  
  In transaction SFP, check the form interface and context for correctness.  
  Make sure all required fields and data elements are properly defined and mapped.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:  
  
  Ensure the user executing the form generation has the necessary authorizations for ADS and form processing.
  
  
  
  Apply Relevant SAP Notes and Patches:  
  
  Search for SAP Notes related to WRF_AT_GENERATE018 or Adobe form errors.  
  Apply any recommended patches or corrections.
  
  
  
  Check System Logs and Traces:  
  
  Use transaction SM21, ST22 (for dumps), and SICF logs to find more detailed error information.  
  Look for any related errors in the system logs.
  
  
  
  Test with a Standard SAP Form:  
  
  Try generating a standard SAP Adobe form to check if the issue is specific to a custom form or a system-wide problem.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:  
  
  SFP – Adobe Form Builder  
  SICF – Maintain Services (check ADS service)  
  SM21 – System Log  
  ST22 – ABAP Dump Analysis
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:  
  
  Search SAP Support Portal for notes related to WRF_AT_GENERATE018 or Adobe form errors.  
  Common notes address ADS configuration, kernel patches, and message formatting issues.
  
  
  
  Adobe Document Services (ADS):  
  
  ADS is a Java-based service that SAP uses to render and process Adobe forms. Proper installation and configuration are critical.
  
  
  
  Message Formatting:  
  
  SAP uses message classes and language-dependent texts to format messages. Missing or incorrect entries can cause formatting errors.
  
  
  
  
  If after these checks the problem persists, consider raising a support ticket with SAP, providing detailed logs, system information, and steps to reproduce the error.