How To Fix CL183 - A maximum of & index characteristics are allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CL - Classification

• Message number: 183

• Message text: A maximum of & index characteristics are allowed

What causes this issue?

The number of index characteristics cannot be more than &V1&.

System Response

How to fix this error?

The system deletes the index indicator for all subsequent
characteristics once the number of index characteristics reaches &V1&.
Reset the index indicator for the characteristics as required.

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 CL183 - A maximum of & index characteristics are allowed ?

  The SAP error message CL183, which states "A maximum of & index characteristics are allowed," typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP HANA when you are trying to create or modify a data model, InfoObject, or query that exceeds the allowed number of index characteristics.
  Cause:
  The error is triggered when the number of characteristics (dimensions) defined for an index exceeds the maximum limit set by the system. This limit is in place to ensure optimal performance and manageability of the data model. The specific limit can vary based on the version of SAP you are using and the configuration of your system.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following approaches:
  
  
  Reduce the Number of Characteristics:
  
  Review the characteristics you have included in your index and remove any that are not necessary. Focus on the most relevant dimensions that are essential for your reporting or analysis needs.
  
  
  
  Create Additional Indexes:
  
  If you need to include more characteristics than allowed in a single index, consider creating additional indexes. This way, you can distribute the characteristics across multiple indexes.
  
  
  
  Optimize Your Data Model:
  
  Analyze your data model to see if it can be optimized. This may involve restructuring how data is stored or accessed, potentially leading to a more efficient design that adheres to the limits.
  
  
  
  Check System Settings:
  
  Consult with your SAP Basis or BW administrator to check if there are any system settings or configurations that can be adjusted to allow for more index characteristics, although this is less common.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to the official SAP documentation or notes related to your specific version of SAP BW or HANA for any additional guidelines or best practices regarding index characteristics.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might provide additional insights or updates regarding this error message.
  Performance Considerations: Keep in mind that having too many characteristics in an index can lead to performance degradation. Always aim for a balance between the number of characteristics and the performance of your queries.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have implemented.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the CL183 error and optimize your SAP data model accordingly.