How To Fix K6504 - The characteristic must be restricted (char. value) or '*'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: K6 - EC-EIS/EC-BP data basis: Data entry and collection

• Message number: 504

• Message text: The characteristic must be restricted (char. value) or '*'

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message K6504 - The characteristic must be restricted (char. value) or '*' ?

  The SAP error message K6504, which states "The characteristic must be restricted (char. value) or '*'", typically occurs in the context of SAP Controlling (CO) when working with characteristics in reports or queries, particularly in the context of Profitability Analysis (CO-PA) or other CO-related functionalities.
  Cause:
  This error arises when you are trying to execute a report or transaction that requires a specific characteristic to be defined or restricted, but the input provided does not meet the expected criteria. Specifically, it indicates that:
  
  You have not restricted the characteristic to a specific value or set of values.
  You may have entered an invalid value for the characteristic.
  The system expects either a specific characteristic value or a wildcard ('*') to indicate that all values should be included.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the K6504 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Values: Ensure that you are entering valid values for the characteristic in question. If you are unsure of the valid values, you can check the configuration or the master data associated with that characteristic.
  
  
  Restrict the Characteristic: If the report or transaction requires a specific characteristic to be restricted, make sure to select or enter a valid characteristic value. You can do this by:
  
  Selecting a specific value from the dropdown list if available.
  Manually entering a valid value that exists in the system.
  
  
  
  Use Wildcard: If you want to include all possible values for the characteristic, you can use the wildcard character '*'. This tells the system to consider all values for that characteristic.
  
  
  Review Report/Transaction Settings: Check the settings or parameters of the report or transaction you are trying to execute. Ensure that all required fields are filled out correctly and that the characteristic in question is appropriately defined.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are still facing issues, refer to the SAP documentation or help resources related to the specific report or transaction you are using. This can provide additional context on how to properly set up the characteristics.
  
  
  Contact Support: If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide more tailored assistance based on your specific configuration and usage.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to CO-PA or the specific module you are working with, as they may have specific requirements for characteristic values.
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on how to properly enter values for characteristics in reports to avoid this error in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the K6504 error and successfully execute your report or transaction in SAP.