How To Fix C$220 - The identifier is longer than & characters and must be abbreviated

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: C$ -

• Message number: 220

• Message text: The identifier is longer than & characters and must be abbreviated

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message C$220 - The identifier is longer than & characters and must be abbreviated ?

  The SAP error message C$220 indicates that an identifier (such as a variable name, field name, or other object name) exceeds the maximum length allowed by the system. In SAP, different types of identifiers have specific length restrictions, and this error typically arises when an identifier exceeds the defined limit.
  Cause:
  
  Identifier Length Exceeded: The most common cause of this error is that the identifier you are trying to use is longer than the allowed character limit. For example, in ABAP, the maximum length for a variable name is usually 30 characters.
  Naming Conventions: Sometimes, the naming conventions or standards in your organization may lead to longer identifiers, which can trigger this error.
  Data Dictionary Objects: If you are working with data dictionary objects (like tables, views, etc.), they also have specific length limits.
  
  Solution:
  
  Abbreviate the Identifier: Shorten the identifier to fit within the allowed character limit. This may involve using abbreviations or acronyms.
  Review Naming Conventions: Check your organization’s naming conventions and ensure that they align with SAP’s limitations. Consider adopting a more concise naming strategy.
  Refactor Code: If the identifier is part of a larger codebase, you may need to refactor the code to accommodate the shorter identifier.
  Use Aliases: In some cases, you can use aliases or shorter names in your code to refer to longer identifiers.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for specific details on identifier length limits for different objects.
  ABAP Naming Conventions: Familiarize yourself with ABAP naming conventions, which can help avoid such errors in the future.
  Error Handling: Implement error handling in your code to catch such issues early during development.
  
  If you continue to encounter issues after addressing the identifier length, consider checking for other potential causes or consulting with your SAP support team for further assistance.