SAP TCodes · LessonBy Arjun, SAP Solution Architect · Published · SAP S/4HANA 2023 · all levels
SM21
SM21 is the SAP transaction code for System Log (Basis). It displays the SAP system log, time-stamped records of system events, errors and warnings per instance, a primary tool for diagnosing system-level problems.
Quick answer
SM21 displays the SAP system log, time-stamped records of system events, errors and warnings per instance, a primary tool for diagnosing system-level problems.
Key takeaways
- Time/date and instance selection.
- Log entries with type and message.
- Details of each entry (cause, context).
- Watch out: Using the wrong variant (create vs change vs display).
Purpose
It displays the SAP system log, time-stamped records of system events, errors and warnings per instance, a primary tool for diagnosing system-level problems.
Key fields and screen
- Time/date and instance selection.
- Log entries with type and message.
- Details of each entry (cause, context).
- Filtering by user/transaction/problem class.
Tips
- Correlate log entries with the time of a reported problem.
- Look for database, work-process and configuration errors.
- Combine with ST22 (dumps) and SM13 (updates) for a full picture.
Common errors
- Database connection/lock issues logged.
- Work-process errors or restarts.
- Not correlating by time (missing the relevant entries).
Common pitfalls
- Using the wrong variant (create vs change vs display).
- Missing prerequisite master data or authorization.
- Not checking the resulting document/log.
Practice challenge
+0 XPStreak ×0
Question 1 of 2
Which statement is true of SM21?
Frequently asked questions
What does SM21 stand for in SAP?
SM21 is the SAP transaction code for System Log (Basis). It displays the SAP system log, time-stamped records of system events, errors and warnings per instance, a primary tool for diagnosing system-level problems.
What is worth checking when troubleshooting SM21?
Correlate log entries with the time of a reported problem. Look for database, work-process and configuration errors. Combine with ST22 (dumps) and SM13 (updates) for a full picture.
What is another point to note about SM21?
Time/date and instance selection. Log entries with type and message. Details of each entry (cause, context).
What tends to go wrong with SM21?
Using the wrong variant (create vs change vs display). Missing prerequisite master data or authorization. Not checking the resulting document/log.