How To Fix DT277 - Structure with '-' in field name cannot contain a structured type

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DT - Table activation (incl. indexes)

• Message number: 277

• Message text: Structure with '-' in field name cannot contain a structured type

What causes this issue?

According to the SAP naming convention, the character '-' is not
allowed within an object name. Existing fields that already contain
this character are accepted nevertheless.
With the introduction of type definitions in the ABAP Dictionary, the
use of '-' in field names can result in ambiguities. Example:
X and Y are structures:
X Fields Type Y Fields Type
B Y C DTEL3
B-C DTEL1 E DTEL4
D DTEL2
X-B-C is ambiguous. It can be either the field B-C of structure X or
component C of structure B of X.
Structures with '-' in field names can only be accessed in ABAP
programs with LIKE, but not with TYPE. Structures in which fields also
contain structures as type cannot be used only with TYPE.
You therefore cannot use a new field with structured type in this
structure.

How to fix this error?

Do not use the field(s) with structured type or replace the fields
containing '-' with fields without this character.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DT277 - Structure with '-' in field name cannot contain a structured type ?

  The SAP error message DT277 indicates that there is an issue with the naming convention of a field in a structure. Specifically, it states that a structure cannot contain a field name that includes a hyphen ('-'). This is a restriction in SAP's data dictionary, as hyphens are not allowed in field names.
  Cause:
  The error occurs when you attempt to define a structure in the ABAP Dictionary (SE11) or when you are working with data types that include field names with hyphens. This can happen during the creation of a new structure or when modifying an existing one.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to rename the field that contains the hyphen. Here are the steps you can follow:
  
  
  Identify the Structure: Determine which structure is causing the error. This can usually be found in the error message details or by checking the code where the structure is being used.
  
  
  Modify the Field Name:
  
  Go to transaction SE11 (Data Dictionary).
  Enter the name of the structure and click on "Display" or "Change".
  Locate the field with the hyphen in its name.
  Rename the field to remove the hyphen. You can replace it with an underscore ('_') or another valid character.
  
  
  
  Activate the Structure: After making the changes, activate the structure to ensure that the changes take effect.
  
  
  Check Related Code: If the structure is used in any programs, function modules, or classes, ensure that you update those references to use the new field name.
  
  
  Test: After making the changes, test the functionality to ensure that everything works as expected without the error.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Field Naming Conventions: In SAP ABAP, field names must adhere to specific naming conventions. Valid characters include letters (A-Z, a-z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). Hyphens and other special characters are not permitted.
  Data Dictionary: The Data Dictionary (SE11) is a central repository in SAP where you can define and manage database objects such as tables, views, data elements, domains, and structures.
  ABAP Development: When developing in ABAP, it's essential to follow best practices for naming conventions to avoid errors and ensure code readability.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the DT277 error and successfully work with your structures in SAP.