How To Fix F4698 - Variant must not contain an "*"

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: F4 - Line items/balances/configuration

• Message number: 698

• Message text: Variant must not contain an "*"

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 F4698 - Variant must not contain an "*" ?

  The SAP error message F4698, which states "Variant must not contain an ''", typically occurs when you are trying to use a variant in a report or transaction that includes an asterisk () as a wildcard character. In SAP, certain fields or parameters do not allow the use of wildcards in their variants, and this error is a safeguard to ensure that the input adheres to the expected format.
  Cause:
  
  Use of Wildcard: The most common cause of this error is that the variant you are trying to use includes an asterisk (*) in one of its selection criteria. This is not permitted for certain fields in financial reports or transactions.
  Incorrect Variant Configuration: The variant may have been incorrectly set up to include wildcards, which is not allowed for the specific report or transaction you are trying to execute.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check the Variant: Go to the variant configuration and check the selection criteria. Remove any asterisks (*) from the fields where they are not allowed.
  
  You can do this by navigating to the transaction where the variant is used, selecting the variant, and editing it to ensure that no wildcards are present.
  
  
  
  Create a New Variant: If you are unable to modify the existing variant, consider creating a new variant without the wildcard characters.
  
  Ensure that you specify exact values or ranges instead of using wildcards.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review the documentation for the specific report or transaction to understand the allowed input formats for variants. This can help you avoid similar issues in the future.
  
  
  User Training: If this error is occurring frequently, consider providing training for users on how to properly create and use variants in SAP.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error can occur in various financial transactions, such as FBL1N (Vendor Line Item Display), FBL3N (G/L Account Line Item Display), or FBL5N (Customer Line Item Display).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or specific guidance related to the error message F4698. Sometimes, there may be patches or updates that address specific issues.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for additional insights or similar experiences from other users.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully use the desired variant in your SAP transactions.