How To Fix R7462 - Characteristic &1: The length has changed from &2 to &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R7 - BW: Data basis

• Message number: 462

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

What causes this issue?

When truncating length, a loss of master data, SIDs and texts can occur.

System Response

An activation of the characteristic is not possible in this case if
characteristic &V1& still has master data, SIDs or text - or if the
characteristic is still used in DataStore objects with data.

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 R7462 - Characteristic &1: The length has changed from &2 to &3 ?

  The SAP error message R7462 indicates that there is a discrepancy in the length of a characteristic in the context of SAP's data modeling, particularly in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP HANA. This error typically arises when the length of a characteristic has been altered in a way that is inconsistent with its previous definition, which can lead to issues in data processing or reporting.
  Cause:
  
  Change in Characteristic Definition: The length of a characteristic has been modified in the data model or InfoObject definition. For example, if a characteristic was originally defined as a string of length 10 and has been changed to length 20, this inconsistency can trigger the error.
  Data Source Mismatch: If the data source feeding into the characteristic has a different length than what is defined in the InfoObject, this can also lead to the error.
  Transport Issues: If changes were transported from one system to another (e.g., from development to production) and the lengths were not consistent across systems, this error may occur.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Characteristic Definition: Review the definition of the characteristic in the InfoObject and ensure that the length is set correctly. If it has been changed, consider reverting it to the original length or updating all related objects accordingly.
  Update Data Sources: Ensure that any data sources (like DSO, InfoCubes, etc.) that use this characteristic are also updated to reflect the new length. This may involve modifying the data source or the transformation rules.
  Re-activate Objects: After making changes, you may need to re-activate the InfoObject and any dependent objects (like InfoProviders, transformations, etc.) to ensure that the changes take effect.
  Check Transport Requests: If the issue arose after a transport, verify that all relevant objects were transported correctly and that there are no discrepancies between the source and target systems.
  Data Cleansing: If the characteristic is already populated with data, you may need to cleanse or adjust the data to fit the new length requirements.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation on InfoObjects and data modeling to understand the implications of changing characteristic lengths.
  Testing: After making changes, conduct thorough testing to ensure that the data flows correctly and that reports or queries using the characteristic function as expected.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the R7462 error and ensure that your SAP environment is functioning correctly.