How To Fix GT246 - Type of conversion: & -> &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: GT - Database utilities

• Message number: 246

• Message text: Type of conversion: & -> &

Abbreviations:
T = Transparent table
P = Pooled table
C = Cluster table

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message GT246 - Type of conversion: & -> & ?

  The SAP error message GT246, which states "Type of conversion: & -> &", typically indicates a type conversion issue in ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming). This error occurs when there is an attempt to convert data from one type to another, but the conversion is not valid or not possible due to incompatible data types.
  Cause:
  
  Incompatible Data Types: The most common cause is that the source and target data types are incompatible. For example, trying to assign a character string to a numeric field without proper conversion.
  Data Length Mismatch: The length of the data being converted may exceed the length of the target field.
  Invalid Data Format: The data being converted may not be in a valid format for the target type (e.g., trying to convert a string that contains letters into a numeric type).
  Null or Empty Values: Attempting to convert null or empty values can also lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Types: Review the data types of the variables involved in the conversion. Ensure that they are compatible and that the conversion makes sense.
  Use Conversion Functions: Utilize appropriate ABAP conversion functions or methods to handle the conversion explicitly. For example, use CONCATENATE, CONVERT_TO_STRING, or CONVERT_TO_INTEGER as needed.
  Data Validation: Before performing the conversion, validate the data to ensure it meets the requirements of the target type. This may include checking for null values or ensuring that the data format is correct.
  Adjust Field Lengths: If the issue is related to data length, consider adjusting the length of the target field or truncating the source data appropriately.
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to step through the code and identify the exact point where the error occurs. This can help in understanding the context of the conversion issue.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Data Types: Familiarize yourself with the various data types in ABAP, such as CHAR, NUMC, INT, DEC, etc., and their characteristics.
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for more details on data type conversions and best practices in ABAP programming.
  Community Forums: Check SAP community forums or Stack Overflow for similar issues and solutions shared by other developers.
  
  By addressing the underlying cause of the type conversion issue, you should be able to resolve the GT246 error effectively.