How To Fix C1118 - Characteristic & cannot be renamed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: C1 - Characteristics maintenance messages

• Message number: 118

• Message text: Characteristic & cannot be renamed

What causes this issue?

Characteristic &v1& is used in object dependencies. This means that you
cannot rename the characteristic.

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?

Use the <LS>Environment -> Where-used list</> to check which object
dependencies the characteristic is used in. You can only rename the
characteristic if you delete the characteristic from all the object
dependencies where it is used.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message C1118 - Characteristic & cannot be renamed ?

  The SAP error message C1118, which states "Characteristic & cannot be renamed," typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP HANA when you attempt to rename a characteristic that is not allowed to be changed. Here are the potential causes, solutions, and related information for this error:
  Causes:
  
  Characteristic Usage: The characteristic you are trying to rename is being used in various objects such as InfoObjects, InfoCubes, queries, or other data models. Renaming it could lead to inconsistencies.
  Master Data: The characteristic may have associated master data that prevents renaming.
  Technical Restrictions: Certain characteristics are defined with technical restrictions that do not allow renaming once they are activated or used in production environments.
  Dependencies: There may be dependencies on the characteristic in other areas of the system, such as reports or data flows.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Usage: Before attempting to rename a characteristic, check where it is being used. You can use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) or RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench) to analyze dependencies.
  Deactivate Objects: If the characteristic is used in active objects, consider deactivating those objects first. This may involve deactivating InfoCubes, queries, or other dependent objects.
  Create a New Characteristic: If renaming is not possible, consider creating a new characteristic with the desired name and migrating the data from the old characteristic to the new one.
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to the specific version of SAP you are using, as there may be version-specific guidelines or restrictions.
  Contact SAP Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance, especially if this is a critical issue affecting your operations.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as RSA1, SE11, SE80, and RSD1 for managing InfoObjects and analyzing dependencies.
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to error C1118 in the SAP Support Portal for any specific patches or updates that may address this issue.
  Best Practices: Follow best practices for naming conventions and managing characteristics in SAP BW to avoid such issues in the future.
  
  By understanding the causes and following the suggested solutions, you should be able to address the C1118 error effectively.