How To Fix ACM_SYNTAX042 - Literal "&1" has length &2, but the data type has maximum length &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ACM_SYNTAX - ACM: DCL Syntax Error Messages

• Message number: 042

• Message text: Literal "&1" has length &2, but the data type has maximum length &3

What causes this issue?

The literal value is longer than the configured maximum length in DDIC
for the field.

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ACM_SYNTAX042 - Literal "&1" has length &2, but the data type has maximum length &3 ?

  The SAP error message ACM_SYNTAX042 indicates that there is a mismatch between the length of a literal string and the maximum length defined for the data type it is being assigned to. Specifically, the message states that the literal (represented by &1) has a length of &2, but the data type it is being assigned to has a maximum length of &3. 
  Cause:
  This error typically occurs in ABAP programs or when working with data definitions in SAP where:
  
  A string or character literal exceeds the defined length of the target data type.
  You are trying to assign a value to a variable or field that cannot accommodate the size of the value being assigned.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Data Type Definition: Review the data type definition of the variable or field you are trying to assign the literal to. Ensure that the maximum length defined for that data type is sufficient for the value you are trying to assign.
  
  
  Modify the Literal: If possible, modify the literal string to ensure its length does not exceed the maximum length of the target data type. This may involve truncating the string or using a shorter value.
  
  
  Change the Data Type: If the literal is necessary and cannot be shortened, consider changing the data type of the target variable to one that can accommodate the length of the literal. For example, if the target variable is defined as a CHAR(10) and you are trying to assign a string of length 15, you might change it to CHAR(15) or a larger size.
  
  
  Use Substrings: If you need to keep the original data type but only require a portion of the literal, you can use substring functions to extract a part of the string that fits within the defined length.
  
  
  Review Program Logic: Ensure that the logic of your program is correct and that you are not inadvertently trying to assign values that exceed the expected lengths.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Data Types in ABAP: Familiarize yourself with the different data types in ABAP, such as CHAR, STRING, and their respective length limitations.
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to step through your code and identify where the assignment is taking place, which can help you pinpoint the source of the error.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or community forums for additional insights and examples related to handling string lengths and data type assignments.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the ACM_SYNTAX042 error and ensure that your data assignments are valid within the constraints of the defined data types.