How To Fix R7B525 - Characteristic &1 version &2: Correcting 'sort by external format'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R7B - BW Metadata (InfoCube, InfoObject, InfoObject catalog)

• Message number: 525

• Message text: Characteristic &1 version &2: Correcting 'sort by external format'

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message R7B525 - Characteristic &1 version &2: Correcting 'sort by external format' ?

  The SAP error message R7B525 typically relates to issues with the characteristics in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence) when dealing with data modeling, especially in the context of InfoObjects and their attributes.
  Cause:
  The error message "Characteristic &1 version &2: Correcting 'sort by external format'" usually indicates that there is a problem with the sorting of a characteristic in a query or report. This can occur due to:
  
  Inconsistent Data: The data in the characteristic may not be sorted correctly according to the external format defined in the system.
  Configuration Issues: The characteristic may not be properly configured to allow sorting by external format.
  Data Type Mismatch: There may be a mismatch between the data type of the characteristic and the expected format for sorting.
  Versioning Issues: The version of the characteristic being referenced may not be the one that is currently active or valid.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the R7B525 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Configuration:
  
  Go to the InfoObject maintenance and check the settings for the characteristic in question. Ensure that the "Sort by External Format" option is correctly configured.
  
  
  
  Data Consistency:
  
  Verify the data in the characteristic. Ensure that all entries conform to the expected format and that there are no inconsistencies.
  
  
  
  Rebuild the Characteristic:
  
  If the characteristic is corrupted or misconfigured, consider rebuilding it. This may involve deleting and recreating the characteristic or adjusting its settings.
  
  
  
  Check Versioning:
  
  Ensure that you are using the correct version of the characteristic. If there are multiple versions, make sure that the one you are referencing is active.
  
  
  
  Update Queries:
  
  If the error occurs in a query, check the query definition and ensure that it is correctly referencing the characteristic and its attributes.
  
  
  
  Transport Issues:
  
  If the characteristic was recently transported from another system, ensure that all related objects and settings were also transported correctly.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error. SAP frequently releases notes that provide fixes or workarounds for known issues.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP BW Documentation: Review the official SAP BW documentation for more details on characteristics and their configurations.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as RSA1 (Data Warehousing Workbench) for managing InfoObjects and queries.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.