How To Fix NP637 - Field & contains '-'; change the field

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: NP - New checks in the activating program

• Message number: 637

• Message text: Field & contains '-'; change the field

&USE&
The character '-' is not allowed within an object name in the SAP
naming convention. Existing fields that contain this character,
however, are accepted.
With the introduction of type definitions in the ABAP Dictionary, using
'-' in field names can result in ambiguity. Example:
X and Y are structures:
X Fields Type Y Fields Type
B Y C DTEL3
B-C DTEL1 E DTEL4
D DTEL2
X-B-C is ambiguous. It can be either field B-C of structure X, or
component C of structure B of X.
Structures with '-' in field names can only be addressed with LIKE, but
not with TYPE, in ABAP programs. Structures in which fields contain
structures as type, on the other hand, can only be used with TYPE.

How to fix this error?

Change the field names. The valid characters within a name are letters,
digits and underlining. Digits may not appear in the first position.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message NP637 - Field & contains '-'; change the field ?

  The SAP error message NP637, which states "Field & contains '-'; change the field," typically occurs when a field in a transaction or data entry does not meet the expected format or criteria defined by the system. The presence of a hyphen ('-') in a field that is not allowed can trigger this error.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Character: The field in question is expected to contain only certain characters (e.g., alphanumeric) and the presence of a hyphen is not permitted.
  Data Entry Error: The user may have inadvertently entered a hyphen when filling out the field.
  Configuration Issue: The field may be configured in a way that does not allow certain characters, and the data being entered does not comply with these rules.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the Field: Review the field that is causing the error and ensure that it does not contain a hyphen. Remove any hyphens and replace them with valid characters if necessary.
  Data Validation: Ensure that the data being entered adheres to the expected format. Refer to the documentation or guidelines for the specific field to understand what characters are allowed.
  Configuration Review: If you have access to the configuration settings, check if the field's settings can be modified to allow hyphens if that is appropriate for your business process.
  Consult Documentation: Look into SAP documentation or help resources for specific details about the field and its constraints.
  Contact Support: If the issue persists and you cannot identify the cause, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Field Validation Rules: Understanding the validation rules for the specific field can help prevent this error in the future.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or updates related to this error message.
  User Training: Providing training for users on data entry best practices can help minimize errors like this in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the NP637 error and ensure that data entry complies with the system's requirements.