How To Fix M-401 - & is not a characteristic in the communication structure!

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M- -

• Message number: 401

• Message text: & is not a characteristic in the communication structure!

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 M-401 - & is not a characteristic in the communication structure! ?

  The SAP error message "M-401 & is not a characteristic in the communication structure!" typically occurs in the context of SAP's Material Management (MM) module, particularly when dealing with the communication structure for reporting or data extraction. This error indicates that a specific characteristic (in this case, represented by the placeholder "&") is not recognized as part of the communication structure that is being referenced.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Characteristic: The characteristic you are trying to use in your report or data extraction is not defined in the communication structure.
  Incorrect Configuration: The communication structure may not be properly configured to include the characteristic you are trying to access.
  Data Source Issues: The data source you are using may not have been updated or may not include the necessary characteristics.
  Version Mismatch: There may be a version mismatch between the data source and the reporting tool or query you are using.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Communication Structure: Verify the communication structure you are using. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction (e.g., RSA1 for Data Warehousing) and checking the characteristics defined in the structure.
  Add Missing Characteristics: If the characteristic is indeed missing, you may need to add it to the communication structure. This typically involves customizing the data source or the InfoObject in the SAP BW system.
  Update Data Source: If you are using a data source, ensure that it is up to date and includes all necessary fields. You may need to regenerate the data source or refresh the data.
  Check for Customizations: If there are custom developments or enhancements in your SAP system, ensure that they are not interfering with the standard communication structure.
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to the specific version of SAP you are using, as there may be known issues or additional steps required for your specific scenario.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench), SE11 (Data Dictionary), and SE80 (Object Navigator) for checking and modifying structures.
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to the error message or the specific characteristics you are working with. SAP Notes often provide solutions or workarounds for known issues.
  Community Forums: Consider checking SAP Community forums or other user groups for similar issues and solutions shared by other users.
  
  If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis or technical team for further investigation.