How To Fix GT371 - New columns in table & were set to NOT NULL

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: GT - Database utilities

• Message number: 371

• Message text: New columns in table & were set to NOT NULL

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message GT371 - New columns in table & were set to NOT NULL ?

  The SAP error message GT371 indicates that new columns in a database table have been defined with the NOT NULL constraint, but there are existing records in the table that do not have values for these new columns. This situation typically arises when you are trying to add new columns to a table in the SAP system, and the system enforces that these columns must contain values for all existing records.
  Cause:
  
  Adding New Columns: When new columns are added to a table, if they are defined as NOT NULL, the database expects that every existing record in the table must have a value for these columns.
  Existing Data: If there are existing records in the table, and no default values are provided for the new columns, the database cannot satisfy the NOT NULL constraint for those records.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Modify the Table Definition:
  
  Change the new columns to allow NULL values instead of NOT NULL. This can be done in the table definition in the Data Dictionary (SE11).
  After making this change, you can add the columns without the NOT NULL constraint.
  
  
  
  Provide Default Values:
  
  If you want to keep the NOT NULL constraint, you can provide default values for the new columns when you add them. This ensures that all existing records will have a valid value for the new columns.
  You can do this by using the ALTER TABLE statement in SQL to set default values for the new columns.
  
  
  
  Update Existing Records:
  
  If you have already added the columns with NOT NULL constraints, you can update existing records to provide values for the new columns. This can be done using an UPDATE statement in SQL.
  After updating the existing records, you can then change the column definition back to NOT NULL if needed.
  
  
  
  Use a Temporary Column:
  
  As a workaround, you can add the new columns as nullable, populate them with the required data, and then alter the columns to be NOT NULL once all records have valid values.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) to modify table definitions or SE14 (Database Utility) to manage database objects.
  Database Constraints: Understanding how NOT NULL constraints work in your specific database (e.g., HANA, Oracle, etc.) can help in managing these types of errors.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message, as there may be updates or best practices provided by SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the GT371 error and successfully manage the new columns in your SAP table.