How To Fix CL464 - The number of columns must be between 1 and 9

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CL - Classification

• Message number: 464

• Message text: The number of columns must be between 1 and 9

What causes this issue?

You have not entered a value in the <LS>No. of columns</> field. If the
<LS>Sort</> indicator is set, you cannot leave the <LS>No. of
columns</> field blank.
The <LS>No. of columns</> field is used to define the number of columns
used for sorting objects according to identical values. For example,
your search result contains five objects with value "A" for
characteristic C1. Three of these five objects have the value "Z" for
characteristic C2, and two of these three objects have the value "V"
for characteristic C3. These objects with identical characteristic
values are sorted up to the number of columns you enter in this field.

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?

Enter a value between 1 and 9 in the <LS>No. of columns</> field.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CL464 - The number of columns must be between 1 and 9 ?

  The SAP error message CL464 indicates that there is an issue with the number of columns specified in a certain context, typically when working with reports, layouts, or data structures in SAP. This error usually arises when the number of columns defined exceeds the allowed limit, which is between 1 and 9.
  Cause:
  
  Exceeding Column Limit: The most common cause of this error is that the user has attempted to define or use more than 9 columns in a report, layout, or data structure where the system only allows a maximum of 9 columns.
  Configuration Issues: There may be a misconfiguration in the settings of the report or layout that leads to an incorrect number of columns being defined.
  Data Structure Limitations: Certain data structures or tables in SAP may have inherent limitations on the number of columns they can handle.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Column Definitions: Review the report or layout configuration to ensure that the number of columns defined does not exceed 9. If it does, reduce the number of columns to fit within the allowed range.
  Modify Layout: If you are using a custom layout, consider modifying it to use fewer columns or reorganizing the data to fit within the constraints.
  Review Data Structures: If the error is related to a specific data structure, check the definition of that structure to ensure it complies with the column limits.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidelines on the maximum number of columns allowed in the context you are working with.
  Testing: After making adjustments, test the report or layout again to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional context or solutions.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to report and layout management, such as SE38 (ABAP Editor) or SMARTFORMS (for smart forms), to help troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the CL464 error and implement a solution to resolve it.