How To Fix MGW_UTILITIES021 - Characteristic &1 is not of data type "CHAR". Conversion is not possible.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MGW_UTILITIES - Article Master: Messages for Enhancement Programs

• Message number: 021

• Message text: Characteristic &1 is not of data type "CHAR". Conversion is not possible.

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MGW_UTILITIES021 - Characteristic &1 is not of data type "CHAR". Conversion is not possible. ?

  The SAP error message MGW_UTILITIES021 indicates that there is an issue with a characteristic in your data model or configuration. Specifically, it states that the characteristic identified by &1 is not of the expected data type "CHAR" (character), which means that a conversion operation cannot be performed.
  Cause:
  
  Data Type Mismatch: The characteristic you are trying to use is not defined as a character type in the underlying data structure. It could be of a different type, such as numeric, date, or another incompatible type.
  Incorrect Mapping: If you are working with data transformations or mappings, the source and target data types may not align correctly.
  Configuration Errors: There may be an error in the configuration of the data model or the way the characteristic is defined in the system.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Definition:
  
  Go to the relevant transaction (e.g., SE11 for Data Dictionary) and check the definition of the characteristic. Ensure that it is defined as a character type (CHAR).
  
  
  
  Adjust Data Type:
  
  If the characteristic is not of type CHAR and should be, consider changing its data type in the data model or the relevant table definition.
  If it is not appropriate to change the data type, you may need to adjust your logic to handle the data type correctly.
  
  
  
  Review Data Mapping:
  
  If you are using data transformation tools (like SAP Data Services or SAP BW), review the mapping configurations to ensure that the source and target data types are compatible.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If you have access to debugging tools, you can trace the execution to see where the error occurs and gather more context about the data being processed.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or notes related to the specific module or functionality you are working with. There may be specific guidelines or known issues related to this error.
  
  
  
  Seek Help from SAP Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. Provide them with the details of the error and the context in which it occurs.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Data Types in SAP: Understanding the different data types in SAP (CHAR, NUMC, DATS, etc.) is crucial for proper data handling.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional context.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes like SE11 (Data Dictionary), SE80 (Object Navigator), and SE37 (Function Builder) for troubleshooting.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the error and implement a suitable solution.