How To Fix KH818 - Too many line items (costing-based/current)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KH - CO-PA Reporting

• Message number: 818

• Message text: Too many line items (costing-based/current)

What causes this issue?

You have not restricted the selection criteria enough for the system to
read according to the current structure.

System Response

This could lead to long runtimes, possibly of several hours.

How to fix this error?

Consider whether the line items should be read anyway.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Recommendation:
If possible, enter a customer, product, company code, distribution
channel and plant (index exists).
Additional recommendation for selecting actual data:
Enter a record type and period/year or a record type and reference
document number. The standard system contains indexes for these
combinations.
Additional recommendation for selecting plan data:
Enter a record type and version (index exists). Or: Enter a reference
document number (index exists).
You can reduce the selection time more by entering additional
characteristic values.
Note the following:
If you want to analyze other combinations of characteristics on a
regular basis, have your system administrator create indexes for the
segment table CE4xxxx (xxxx = operating concern).

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KH818 - Too many line items (costing-based/current) ?

  The SAP error message KH818 ("Too many line items (costing-based/current)") typically occurs in the context of costing-based profitability analysis (CO-PA) when the system encounters a limit on the number of line items that can be processed or displayed. This error can arise during various operations, such as reporting or data retrieval, when the number of line items exceeds the predefined threshold.
  Cause:
  
  Line Item Limit: SAP has a limit on the number of line items that can be processed in a single query or report. This limit is often set to prevent performance issues.
  Data Volume: High transaction volumes in costing-based CO-PA can lead to a situation where the number of line items exceeds the allowable limit.
  Configuration Settings: The system may be configured in a way that restricts the number of line items that can be displayed or processed at once.
  
  Solution:
  
  Filter Data: Apply filters to reduce the number of line items being processed. This can include narrowing down the date range, specific cost centers, or other relevant criteria.
  Use Aggregated Reports: Instead of detailed line item reports, consider using aggregated reports that summarize data, which can help avoid hitting the line item limit.
  Adjust Configuration: If applicable, consult with your SAP Basis or technical team to see if there are configuration settings that can be adjusted to increase the line item limit.
  Batch Processing: If possible, break down the data retrieval into smaller batches to stay within the line item limit.
  Performance Optimization: Review and optimize the underlying data model or queries to improve performance and reduce the number of line items processed.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error. SAP frequently releases updates that may address performance issues or provide guidance on handling large datasets.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to CO-PA and line item reporting for best practices and recommendations on managing large volumes of data.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes (e.g., KE30 for CO-PA reports) and their settings to better understand how to manage line items.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to engage with SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.