How To Fix MC783 - View field &: invalid type use (&) in union select &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MC - Aggregate: views, matchcodes, lock objects

• Message number: 783

• Message text: View field &: invalid type use (&) in union select &

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MC783 - View field &: invalid type use (&) in union select & ?

  The SAP error message MC783 typically indicates an issue with the data type used in a union select statement within a query or report. This error arises when the fields being combined in a UNION operation do not have compatible data types. Here’s a breakdown of the cause, potential solutions, and related information:
  Cause:
  
  Data Type Mismatch: The fields being selected in the UNION statement have different data types. For example, one field might be a character type while another is numeric.
  Field Length Differences: Even if the data types are the same (e.g., both are character types), if their lengths differ, it can lead to this error.
  Incorrect Field Reference: The error message may also indicate that a field reference is incorrect or not recognized in the context of the query.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Types: Review the data types of the fields involved in the UNION statement. Ensure that they are compatible. For example, if one field is a CHAR type, the other should also be a CHAR type.
  Cast Data Types: If necessary, use casting functions to convert the data types to a common type. For example, you can use CAST() or CONVERT() functions to ensure both fields are of the same type.
  SELECT CAST(field1 AS CHAR(10)) FROM table1
  UNION
  SELECT CAST(field2 AS CHAR(10)) FROM table2
  
  Align Field Lengths: If the fields are of the same type but have different lengths, consider adjusting the lengths to match.
  Review Field References: Ensure that all field references in the query are correct and that the fields exist in the respective tables or views.
  Debugging: If the error persists, try breaking down the query into smaller parts to isolate the issue. Run each SELECT statement independently to see if they execute without errors.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation for more details on SQL syntax and data types.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary) to check the definitions of the tables and fields involved.
  Community Forums: Check SAP community forums or support sites for similar issues and solutions shared by other users.
  Testing Environment: If possible, replicate the issue in a testing environment to avoid impacting production data while troubleshooting.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the MC783 error in your SAP environment.