How To Fix /IWFND/CM_DESIGNTIME121 - Character '&1' not supported at current position '&2'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /IWFND/CM_DESIGNTIME -

• Message number: 121

• Message text: Character '&1' not supported at current position '&2'

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /IWFND/CM_DESIGNTIME121 - Character '&1' not supported at current position '&2' ?

  The SAP error message /IWFND/CM_DESIGNTIME121 typically indicates an issue related to the OData service design time, specifically when there is an invalid character in the context of the OData model or service definition. This error can occur during the activation or usage of an OData service in SAP Gateway.
  Cause:
  The error message indicates that a character at a specific position in the OData service definition is not supported. This can happen due to:
  
  Invalid Characters: The presence of special characters or unsupported symbols in entity names, property names, or other identifiers.
  Incorrect Naming Conventions: Not adhering to the naming conventions expected by the OData service, such as starting with a number or using spaces.
  Malformed Metadata: Issues in the metadata XML or annotations that define the OData service.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Naming Conventions:
  
  Ensure that all entity types, property names, and other identifiers follow the OData naming conventions. They should start with a letter and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
  
  
  
  Review the OData Model:
  
  Go through the OData model definition in the SAP Gateway Service Builder (transaction code SEGW) and look for any invalid characters in the names of entities, properties, or associations.
  
  
  
  Validate Metadata:
  
  If you have made manual changes to the metadata, validate it to ensure it is well-formed and adheres to the OData standards.
  
  
  
  Regenerate the Service:
  
  If you have made changes to the model, regenerate the service by right-clicking on the service in the Service Builder and selecting "Generate Runtime Objects".
  
  
  
  Check for Annotations:
  
  If you are using annotations, ensure that they are correctly defined and do not contain unsupported characters.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If the issue persists, you may need to debug the service to identify the exact location of the error. Use transaction SE80 or SEGW to analyze the service and its components.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to the SAP Help Portal or relevant documentation for guidelines on OData service development and naming conventions.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  OData Standards: Familiarize yourself with OData standards and best practices to avoid similar issues in the future.
  Community Forums: Engage with the SAP Community or forums for insights from other users who may have encountered and resolved similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and correct the cause of the /IWFND/CM_DESIGNTIME121 error in your SAP OData service.