How To Fix BRAIN_DEV038 - Exc. aggr. ref. characteristic &1 of &2 is not a total time char.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BRAIN_DEV - BRAIN messages (for use by development)

• Message number: 038

• Message text: Exc. aggr. ref. characteristic &1 of &2 is not a total time char.

What causes this issue?

Exception aggregation reference characteristic &1 of stock coverage key
figure &2 is not a total time characteristic. The exception aggregation
reference characteristic of a stock coverage key figure is used as a
time characteristic for the stock coverage calculation. The exception
aggregation reference characteristic therefore has to be one of the
following total time characteristics:
0CALDAY
0CALWEEK
0CALMONTH
0CALQUARTER
0CALYEAR
0FISCPER
0FISCYEAR

System Response

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

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 BRAIN_DEV038 - Exc. aggr. ref. characteristic &1 of &2 is not a total time char. ?

  The SAP error message BRAIN_DEV038 indicates that there is an issue with the aggregation reference characteristic in a query or report. Specifically, the message states that the characteristic specified (denoted as &1) of the InfoObject or InfoProvider (denoted as &2) is not a total time characteristic. This typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence) when working with queries that involve time-based data.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Characteristic Configuration: The characteristic you are trying to use as a reference for aggregation is not defined as a total time characteristic in the InfoObject settings.
  Query Design Issues: The query may be incorrectly designed, where a non-time characteristic is being used in a context that expects a time characteristic.
  Data Model Issues: The underlying data model may not support the aggregation you are trying to perform due to the characteristics involved.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Settings:
  
  Go to the InfoObject maintenance in the SAP BW system.
  Verify that the characteristic &1 is set up correctly. It should be defined as a total time characteristic if it is intended to be used in that context.
  If it is not set as a total time characteristic, you may need to adjust its settings or choose a different characteristic that is defined as a total time characteristic.
  
  
  
  Review Query Design:
  
  Open the query in the Query Designer.
  Check the aggregation settings and ensure that the characteristics used for aggregation are appropriate.
  If necessary, modify the query to use a valid total time characteristic.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources related to the specific version of SAP BW or BI you are using. This can provide insights into the expected configurations and best practices.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the query again to see if the error persists. If it does, further investigation into the data model and relationships may be required.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Total Time Characteristics: In SAP BW, total time characteristics are used to represent time-related data in a way that allows for proper aggregation and reporting. Common examples include calendar days, months, and years.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional guidance on handling similar issues.
  Community Forums: Consider searching or posting in SAP community forums for additional insights from other users who may have encountered the same issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message BRAIN_DEV038 and ensure that your query functions as intended.