How To Fix IO403 - The character strings to be compared (&1 and 2) have different lengths

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IO - Plant Maintenance: Object List

• Message number: 403

• Message text: The character strings to be compared (&1 and 2) have different lengths

What causes this issue?

Program error.

System Response

The system does not allow further processing.

How to fix this error?

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 IO403 - The character strings to be compared (&1 and 2) have different lengths ?

  The SAP error message IO403 indicates that there is a comparison being made between two character strings that have different lengths. This typically occurs in scenarios where the system expects two strings of the same length for comparison, but one string is shorter or longer than the other.
  Cause:
  
  Data Mismatch: The most common cause is that the two character strings being compared are derived from different sources or fields, leading to a mismatch in their lengths.
  Incorrect Data Entry: User input or data entry errors can lead to strings of varying lengths.
  Configuration Issues: In some cases, configuration settings in the system may lead to the generation of strings of different lengths.
  Program Logic Errors: If this error arises in a custom program or report, it may be due to logic errors in the code where string lengths are not being handled properly.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Sources: Review the data sources for the two strings being compared. Ensure that they are intended to be of the same length and format.
  Data Validation: Implement validation checks to ensure that the strings being compared are of the same length before performing the comparison.
  Adjust Input Fields: If the error is due to user input, consider adjusting the input fields to enforce a consistent length (e.g., using fixed-length fields).
  Debugging: If the error occurs in a custom program, use debugging tools to trace the values of the strings being compared and identify where the length discrepancy arises.
  Modify Logic: If necessary, modify the program logic to handle cases where the strings may not match in length, such as padding shorter strings or truncating longer ones as appropriate.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common errors.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like SE80 (Object Navigator) or SE38 (ABAP Editor) to analyze the program or report where the error occurs.
  Documentation: Review the documentation for the specific module or transaction where the error is encountered to understand the expected data formats and lengths.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the IO403 error and implement a suitable solution.