How To Fix GT370 - Setting the new columns in table & to NOT NULL

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: GT - Database utilities

• Message number: 370

• Message text: Setting the new columns in table & to NOT NULL

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.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message GT370 - Setting the new columns in table & to NOT NULL ?

  The SAP error message GT370, which states "Setting the new columns in table & to NOT NULL," typically occurs during the process of modifying a database table in SAP, particularly when you are trying to add new columns to a table and set them to NOT NULL without providing a default value.
  Cause:
  The error arises because:
  
  New Columns: When you add new columns to a database table, if you set these columns to NOT NULL, the database requires that every existing row in the table must have a value for these new columns.
  Existing Data: If the table already contains data, and you do not provide a default value for the new columns, the database cannot populate these columns for existing rows, leading to the error.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take one of the following approaches:
  
  
  Set Default Values:
  
  When adding the new columns, specify a default value. This way, existing rows will automatically receive this default value for the new columns.
  Example SQL command:
  ALTER TABLE your_table_name ADD new_column_name data_type DEFAULT default_value NOT NULL;
  
  
  
  
  Add Columns as Nullable First:
  
  Add the new columns as nullable (i.e., without the NOT NULL constraint) first. This allows the existing rows to have NULL values for the new columns.
  After adding the columns, you can then update the existing rows to set appropriate values for these columns.
  Finally, alter the columns to set them as NOT NULL.
  Example SQL commands:
  ALTER TABLE your_table_name ADD new_column_name data_type NULL;
  -- Update existing rows to set values
  UPDATE your_table_name SET new_column_name = some_value WHERE condition;
  -- Now set the column to NOT NULL
  ALTER TABLE your_table_name ALTER COLUMN new_column_name SET NOT NULL;
  
  
  
  
  Data Migration:
  
  If the new columns require specific values based on business logic, you may need to perform a data migration to populate these columns before setting them to NOT NULL.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Database Constraints: Understanding how NOT NULL constraints work in your database system is crucial. Different databases may have different behaviors regarding constraints.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or updates related to this error message, as SAP frequently updates its documentation and provides solutions for common issues.
  Testing: Always test changes in a development or test environment before applying them to production to avoid data loss or corruption.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the GT370 error and successfully modify your database table.