How To Fix CMS_COMMON401 - Total length of field values for F4 exceeds 255 characters.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CMS_COMMON - Message Class for Common Service Functions

• Message number: 401

• Message text: Total length of field values for F4 exceeds 255 characters.

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CMS_COMMON401 - Total length of field values for F4 exceeds 255 characters. ?

  The SAP error message CMS_COMMON401 indicates that the total length of field values for a specific F4 help (value help) exceeds the maximum limit of 255 characters. This typically occurs when you are trying to input or display a list of values in a field that is designed to handle a limited amount of data.
  Cause:
  
  Exceeding Character Limit: The primary cause of this error is that the combined length of the values being processed in the F4 help exceeds the 255-character limit.
  Data Structure: The data structure or the way the values are being fetched or displayed may not be optimized for larger datasets.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the SAP system that are not set correctly, leading to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Reduce Input Length: If you are manually entering data, ensure that the total length of the values you are trying to input does not exceed 255 characters.
  Modify F4 Help: If you are a developer or have access to the backend, consider modifying the F4 help to limit the number of values returned or to paginate the results.
  Check Data Source: Review the data source or the query that is being used to fetch the values. Ensure that it is optimized and does not return excessively long strings.
  Field Configuration: If applicable, check the field configuration in the data dictionary (SE11) to ensure that it is set up correctly and that the field types are appropriate for the data being handled.
  Custom Code Review: If there is custom code involved in fetching or displaying the F4 help, review it to ensure it adheres to the character limit constraints.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. Sometimes, SAP releases updates that address specific bugs or limitations.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary), SE80 (Object Navigator), or SE37 (Function Module) to investigate the data structures and function modules involved in the F4 help.
  Testing: After making changes, test the functionality thoroughly to ensure that the error is resolved and that the F4 help behaves as expected.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis or development team for further investigation.