How To Fix DB686 - Variant & has not been selected

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DB - Messages for logical databases and background processing

• Message number: 686

• Message text: Variant & has not been selected

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DB686 - Variant & has not been selected ?

  The SAP error message "DB686 Variant & has not been selected" typically occurs in the context of reporting or data extraction processes where a variant (a predefined set of parameters for a report) is expected but has not been properly selected or defined.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Variant: The specified variant does not exist in the system.
  Incorrect Variant Name: The variant name may have been misspelled or incorrectly referenced.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the specified variant.
  Inactive Variant: The variant may be inactive or deleted.
  Contextual Issues: The variant may not be applicable in the current context or transaction.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Variant Existence:
  
  Go to the transaction where the error occurred and check if the variant exists. You can usually do this by navigating to the variant selection screen and looking for the variant name.
  
  
  
  Verify Variant Name:
  
  Ensure that the variant name is correctly spelled and matches the expected format.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Verify that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the variant. This can be done by checking the user roles and authorizations in the user management section.
  
  
  
  Activate or Recreate Variant:
  
  If the variant is inactive or deleted, you may need to recreate it or activate it again. This can typically be done in the variant management section of the relevant transaction.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review the documentation or help files related to the specific transaction or report to ensure that the variant is being used correctly.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting the SAP community for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on the context, you may be using various transaction codes (e.g., SE38 for ABAP programs, or specific transaction codes for reports).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the error message.
  User Manuals: Refer to user manuals or training materials for guidance on using variants effectively.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a suitable solution.