How To Fix R7461 - Characteristic &1: The data type has changed from &2 to &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R7 - BW: Data basis

• Message number: 461

• Message text: Characteristic &1: The data type has changed from &2 to &3

What causes this issue?

When you change the data type, master data, SIDs and texts may be lost
or become inconsistent.

System Response

Characteristic &V1& cannot be activated if it still has master data,
SIDs or texts.

How to fix this error?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message R7461 - Characteristic &1: The data type has changed from &2 to &3 ?

  The SAP error message R7461 indicates that there is a mismatch in the data type of a characteristic in a data model or InfoObject. Specifically, it means that the data type of the characteristic has changed from one type to another, which can lead to inconsistencies in data processing and reporting.
  Cause:
  
  Data Type Change: The primary cause of this error is that the data type of a characteristic has been altered in the system. For example, a characteristic that was previously defined as a "CHAR" (character) type may have been changed to "NUM" (numeric) type, or vice versa.
  Data Model Changes: Changes in the data model, such as modifications to InfoObjects, can lead to this error if the data types of characteristics are not consistent across different versions or instances.
  Transport Issues: If changes were transported from one system to another (e.g., from development to production), and the data types were not aligned, this error may occur.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Type Definitions: Review the definitions of the characteristic in the relevant InfoObject. Ensure that the data type is consistent with what is expected in the data model.
  Revert Changes: If the change in data type was unintentional, consider reverting the characteristic to its original data type.
  Adjust Data Model: If the change was intentional, ensure that all related data models, queries, and reports are updated to accommodate the new data type.
  Data Migration: If necessary, perform data migration to convert existing data to the new data type format.
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to the specific version of SAP you are using for any additional guidance on handling this error.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional context or solutions for this specific error message.
  Data Dictionary: Familiarize yourself with the SAP Data Dictionary (SE11) to understand how data types are defined and managed.
  Testing: After making changes, conduct thorough testing to ensure that the system behaves as expected and that there are no further issues related to data types.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis or ABAP team for further investigation and resolution.