How To Fix FDT_EXPRESSIONS684 - Result of function &1 in step &2 is not of type element or structure

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FDT_EXPRESSIONS - Formula & Derivation Tool: Expressions

• Message number: 684

• Message text: Result of function &1 in step &2 is not of type element or structure

What causes this issue?

In the current step sequence, you have inserted function &v1& as step
&v2&. This function returns a table as its result data object. However,
functions used in a step sequence expression must return either an
element or a structure data object.

System Response

The object cannot be activated.

How to fix this error?

Make sure that all functions used in a step sequence expression have
either an element or a structure assigned as result data object.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FDT_EXPRESSIONS684 - Result of function &1 in step &2 is not of type element or structure ?

  The SAP error message FDT_EXPRESSIONS684 indicates that there is an issue with the data type of the result returned by a function in a specific step of a process. Specifically, the error states that the result of the function (denoted as &1) in step &2 is not of the expected type, which should be either an element or a structure.
  Cause:
  This error typically arises in the context of using expressions or functions in SAP's Field-Based Data Transformation (FDT) or similar data processing scenarios. The most common causes include:
  
  
  Incorrect Function Return Type: The function being called is returning a data type that is not compatible with what is expected in that step. For example, it might be returning a primitive type (like a string or integer) instead of a structured type.
  
  
  Misconfiguration: There may be a misconfiguration in the data transformation logic where the expected output type does not match the actual output type of the function.
  
  
  Data Mapping Issues: If the function is part of a mapping process, the mapping might not be correctly defined, leading to type mismatches.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Function Definition: Review the function defined in step &2 to ensure that it is supposed to return an element or structure. If it is returning a different type, you may need to modify the function or use a different one that returns the correct type.
  
  
  Adjust Data Types: If you have control over the data types being used, ensure that the output of the function matches the expected input type of the subsequent step. You may need to cast or convert the data type appropriately.
  
  
  Review Mapping Logic: If this error occurs in a mapping scenario, check the mapping logic to ensure that the expected types align correctly. Adjust the mapping to ensure that the output of the function is compatible with the next step.
  
  
  Debugging: Use debugging tools available in SAP to trace the execution of the function and inspect the data types being passed around. This can help identify where the mismatch is occurring.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for the specific function being used to understand its expected return type and any constraints.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the specific function or error message.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or support channels where similar issues may have been discussed.
  Testing: After making changes, thoroughly test the transformation to ensure that the error is resolved and that the data is processed correctly.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.