How To Fix >REP158 - Selection &1 has too many entries (&2); online job not recommended

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: >REP -

• Message number: 158

• Message text: Selection &1 has too many entries (&2); online job not recommended

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 >REP158 - Selection &1 has too many entries (&2); online job not recommended ?

  The SAP error message REP158 indicates that a selection has too many entries, which can lead to performance issues when processing the data in an online job. This typically occurs when a report or transaction is trying to process a large dataset that exceeds the system's recommended limits for online processing.
  Cause:
  
  Excessive Data Volume: The selection criteria specified in the report or transaction has resulted in a very large number of entries being selected.
  System Limitations: SAP systems have certain thresholds for online processing to ensure performance and stability. When the number of entries exceeds this threshold, the system generates this warning.
  Inefficient Selection Criteria: The selection criteria may not be optimized, leading to an unnecessarily large dataset being retrieved.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Refine Selection Criteria: Narrow down the selection criteria to reduce the number of entries. This can be done by:
  
  Adding more specific filters.
  Limiting the date range or other parameters.
  Using additional selection fields to reduce the dataset size.
  
  
  
  Use Background Processing: If the report or transaction can be run in the background, consider doing so. Background jobs can handle larger datasets more efficiently than online processing. You can schedule the job using transaction codes like SM36 (Define Background Job).
  
  
  Check for Indexing: Ensure that the database tables involved in the selection are properly indexed. This can improve performance and may help in reducing the number of entries processed.
  
  
  Consult with Basis Team: If the issue persists, consult with your SAP Basis team to check for any system settings or performance tuning that can be applied.
  
  
  Review Report Design: If you are developing custom reports, review the design to ensure that it is optimized for performance and does not retrieve unnecessary data.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  SE38 or SA38: To run reports.
  SM37: To monitor background jobs.
  SE11: To check table structures and indexes.
  
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific recommendations or patches related to the REP158 error.
  
  
  Performance Monitoring: Use transaction ST03N to analyze performance and identify any bottlenecks in report execution.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the REP158 error and improve the performance of your SAP reports or transactions.