How To Fix BRAIN396 - Reference characteristic &1 is probably not suitable for &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BRAIN -

• Message number: 396

• Message text: Reference characteristic &1 is probably not suitable for &2

What causes this issue?

In formula or key figure &V4& aggregation &V2& is used with reference
characteristic &V1& . The basic key figure going into &V4& is not a
non-cumulative key figure, however.
The query now uses the finer time characteristic &V3& or a time
characteristic that cannot be derived from&V1& .
Formation of averages will therefore produce confusing results if &V3&
is expanded.

How to fix this error?

Check the query definition, in particular &V4&

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BRAIN396 - Reference characteristic &1 is probably not suitable for &2 ?

  The SAP error message BRAIN396 indicates that a reference characteristic is not suitable for the context in which it is being used. This error typically arises in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence) when dealing with characteristics and key figures in queries or data models.
  Cause:
  The error message BRAIN396 can occur due to several reasons:
  
  Incompatible Data Types: The reference characteristic may have a data type that is not compatible with the key figure or the context in which it is being used.
  Missing Attributes: The reference characteristic might not have the necessary attributes or properties defined that are required for the specific operation or query.
  Hierarchy Issues: If the reference characteristic is part of a hierarchy, there may be issues with how the hierarchy is defined or used in the query.
  Aggregation Issues: The reference characteristic may not be suitable for aggregation in the context of the key figure being analyzed.
  Incorrect Configuration: There may be configuration issues in the InfoObject or the query definition that lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the BRAIN396 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  Check Data Types: Ensure that the data types of the reference characteristic and the key figure are compatible. You may need to adjust the data types in the InfoObject settings.
  Review Attributes: Verify that the reference characteristic has all the necessary attributes defined. If any attributes are missing, add them as needed.
  Examine Hierarchies: If the reference characteristic is part of a hierarchy, check the hierarchy settings to ensure they are correctly defined and that the hierarchy is active.
  Aggregation Settings: Review the aggregation settings for the key figure and ensure that the reference characteristic can be aggregated in the context of the query.
  Query Definition: Go through the query definition in the BEx Query Designer or similar tools to ensure that the reference characteristic is being used correctly.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on the characteristics and key figures you are working with.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they found.
  Testing: After making changes, test the query or data model to ensure that the error is resolved and that the expected results are returned.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the BRAIN396 error and implement a suitable solution.