How To Fix OL359 - Element '&' has not yet been assigned a value

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: OL - Workflow object types: Run-time system

• Message number: 359

• Message text: Element '&' has not yet been assigned a value

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message OL359 - Element '&' has not yet been assigned a value ?

  The SAP error message OL359, which states "Element '&' has not yet been assigned a value," typically occurs in the context of ABAP programming or when working with data structures in SAP. This error indicates that a variable or field symbol has been referenced before it has been initialized or assigned a value.
  Cause:
  
  Uninitialized Variables: The most common cause is that a variable or field symbol is being accessed without being assigned a value first.
  Conditional Logic: If the assignment of a value to a variable is conditional, and the condition is not met, the variable may remain uninitialized.
  Data Structure Issues: If you are working with complex data structures (like internal tables or structures), it is possible that a specific field within that structure has not been populated.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Initialize Variables: Ensure that all variables are initialized before they are used. You can do this by assigning a default value when declaring the variable.
  DATA: lv_variable TYPE string VALUE ''.
  
  
  Check Conditional Logic: Review the code to ensure that all paths that lead to the use of the variable have an assignment. If a variable is only assigned in certain conditions, ensure that it is handled appropriately in all cases.
  IF condition.
      lv_variable = 'Some Value'.
  ENDIF.
  " Ensure lv_variable is assigned before use
  
  
  Debugging: Use the debugger to step through the code and check the state of the variable at runtime. This can help identify where the variable is not being assigned a value.
  
  
  Field Symbols: If you are using field symbols, ensure that they are assigned to a valid data object before accessing them.
  FIELD-SYMBOLS: <fs_variable> TYPE any.
  ASSIGN some_structure-field TO <fs_variable>.
  IF sy-subrc = 0.
      " Now <fs_variable> can be used safely
  ENDIF.
  
  
  Data Structure Initialization: If you are working with structures or internal tables, ensure that they are properly initialized and populated before accessing their fields.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP ABAP documentation for best practices on variable initialization and error handling.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for discussions and solutions related to similar issues.
  Debugging Techniques: Familiarize yourself with debugging techniques in ABAP to effectively trace and resolve issues related to uninitialized variables.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the OL359 error and ensure that your variables are properly initialized before use.