How To Fix IH103 - Limit the selection further

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IH - structuring

• Message number: 103

• Message text: Limit the selection further

What causes this issue?

You have specified too few selection criteria, with the result that the
system has found too many hits.

System Response

The number of hits found makes further processing impossible. The
system requires more criteria for the address selection.

How to fix this error?

Enter more criteria (for example, address, work center)
and restart the program.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message IH103 - Limit the selection further ?

  The SAP error message IH103 ("Limit the selection further") typically occurs in the context of the SAP Plant Maintenance (PM) module, particularly when you are trying to execute a report or transaction that retrieves a large dataset. This error indicates that the system has identified that the selection criteria you have provided are too broad, resulting in an excessive number of records being returned.
  Cause:
  
  Broad Selection Criteria: The selection criteria you have entered may be too general, leading to a large number of records being processed.
  Performance Limitations: SAP has built-in limits to prevent performance issues that can arise from processing large datasets. When the number of records exceeds this limit, the system prompts you to refine your selection.
  System Configuration: Certain configurations in the SAP system may impose stricter limits on the number of records that can be processed in a single query.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Refine Selection Criteria: Narrow down your selection criteria to reduce the number of records being retrieved. This can include:
  
  Adding more specific filters (e.g., date ranges, specific equipment, or maintenance orders).
  Using additional fields to limit the selection.
  
  
  
  Use Additional Parameters: If applicable, use additional parameters or selection options available in the report or transaction to further filter the results.
  
  
  Break Down the Query: If you are trying to retrieve a large dataset, consider breaking down the query into smaller, more manageable parts. For example, you could run the report for specific time periods or specific equipment groups.
  
  
  Check User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to access the data you are trying to retrieve. Sometimes, limitations can be related to user roles and permissions.
  
  
  Consult with IT or SAP Basis Team: If you consistently encounter this error and believe that your selection criteria are appropriate, consult with your IT or SAP Basis team. They may need to adjust system settings or investigate performance issues.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error can occur in various transaction codes related to Plant Maintenance, such as IW38 (Change PM Orders), IW39 (Display PM Orders), or reports in the PM module.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or updates related to this error message. SAP frequently releases notes that address specific error messages and provide guidance on how to resolve them.
  Performance Tuning: If you frequently encounter performance-related issues, consider discussing performance tuning options with your SAP Basis team to optimize the database and improve query performance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the IH103 error and successfully execute your desired report or transaction in SAP.