How To Fix AQ709 - The start position is less than 1 or greater than the field length


SAP Error Message - Details

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: AQ - Message texts for SAP Query

  • Message number: 709

  • Message text: The start position is less than 1 or greater than the field length

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  • Self-Explanatory Message

    Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

    To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

    Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.



    What else can you do?

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Smart SAP Assistant

  • What is the cause and solution for SAP error message AQ709 - The start position is less than 1 or greater than the field length ?

    The SAP error message AQ709, which states "The start position is less than 1 or greater than the field length," typically occurs when there is an issue with the way data is being processed or manipulated in a program or function module. This error is often related to string operations, where the specified start position for a substring or similar operation is invalid.

    Cause:

    1. Invalid Start Position: The start position specified for a substring operation is either less than 1 or exceeds the length of the string being processed.
    2. Data Length Mismatch: The length of the data being processed does not match the expected length, leading to an out-of-bounds error.
    3. Incorrect Logic in Code: There may be a logical error in the code that calculates the start position or the length of the string.
    4. Dynamic Data: If the data being processed is dynamic (e.g., coming from user input or external sources), it may not conform to expected formats or lengths.

    Solution:

    1. Check Start Position: Ensure that the start position is always greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the length of the string. You can use the strlen() function to verify the length of the string before performing operations.

      DATA: lv_string TYPE string,
            lv_start_position TYPE i.
      
      lv_string = 'Example String'.
      lv_start_position = 1. " Ensure this is valid
      
      IF lv_start_position >= 1 AND lv_start_position <= strlen( lv_string ).
          " Perform substring operation
      ELSE.
          " Handle error
      ENDIF.
    2. Debugging: Use the debugger to step through the code and check the values of the variables involved in the substring operation. This will help identify where the invalid value is coming from.

    3. Input Validation: If the start position is derived from user input or external data, implement validation checks to ensure that the input is within the expected range.

    4. Error Handling: Implement error handling to gracefully manage situations where the start position is invalid, providing informative messages to users or logging the error for further analysis.

    Related Information:

    • ABAP Documentation: Review the ABAP documentation for string manipulation functions to understand the expected parameters and return values.
    • SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
    • Community Forums: Look for discussions in SAP community forums or Stack Overflow where similar issues have been addressed.

    By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the AQ709 error and implement a solution to prevent it from occurring in the future.

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