How To Fix C1233 - Decimal places cannot be reduced; permitted values already entered

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: C1 - Characteristics maintenance messages

• Message number: 233

• Message text: Decimal places cannot be reduced; permitted values already entered

What causes this issue?

You cannot reduce the number of decimal places since existing, permitted
values would be truncated.

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?

Change the characteristic values affected and then reduce the decimal
places.

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 C1233 - Decimal places cannot be reduced; permitted values already entered ?

  The SAP error message C1233, "Decimal places cannot be reduced; permitted values already entered," typically occurs in the context of configuring or changing the number of decimal places for a field in a master data record or transaction. This error indicates that you are trying to reduce the number of decimal places for a field that already has values entered with a higher precision than what you are attempting to set.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Data: The primary cause of this error is that there are already existing entries in the system that have more decimal places than what you are trying to set. For example, if you have values with 3 decimal places and you attempt to change the field to allow only 2 decimal places, SAP will prevent this change to avoid data inconsistency.
  Field Configuration: The configuration of the field in the relevant data structure (like a material master, vendor master, etc.) is set to a certain number of decimal places, and changing it to a lower number is not allowed if there are existing records.
  
  Solution:
  
  Review Existing Data: Check the existing entries in the relevant table or master data to see if there are values that exceed the decimal places you want to set. You can do this by running a report or querying the database.
  Adjust Decimal Places: If you need to change the decimal places, you may need to first update or delete the existing records that have more decimal places than the new setting. This may involve:
  
  Modifying the existing records to conform to the new decimal place setting.
  Deleting records if they are no longer needed (ensure this is compliant with your data governance policies).
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP administrator to understand the implications of changing decimal places and to ensure that you are following best practices.
  Use a Different Field: If changing the decimal places is not feasible due to existing data, consider using a different field or creating a new field that allows for the desired number of decimal places.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common issues.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes (like MM01 for material master, XK01 for vendor master) to navigate to the data you need to review.
  Data Consistency: Always ensure that any changes made to data structures maintain data consistency and integrity across the system.
  
  If you continue to face issues or if the situation is complex, it may be beneficial to engage with your SAP support team or a consultant who specializes in SAP configuration and data management.