How To Fix RSAR318 - & &: Data type changed to CHAR.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RSAR - Data Transfer and Metadata Maintenance

• Message number: 318

• Message text: & &: Data type changed to CHAR.

What causes this issue?

With source systems of this type only those data types that are
displayed internally as characters (ABAP data types &V3&) can be used.
Only in this way can the transferred data be correctly converted
according to the character records used in the source system and in the
Business Information Warehouse.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RSAR318 - & &: Data type changed to CHAR. ?

  The SAP error message RSAR318, which states "Data type changed to CHAR," typically occurs in the context of data extraction or data transfer processes, particularly when using SAP's Data Warehousing or Business Intelligence tools. This message indicates that the data type of a field has been altered from its original type to a character (CHAR) type, which can lead to issues in data processing or reporting.
  Cause:
  
  
  Data Type Mismatch: The primary cause of this error is a mismatch between the expected data type in the target system and the actual data type being sent from the source system. For example, if a numeric field is expected but a character field is received, SAP may convert the data type to CHAR to avoid errors.
  
  
  Changes in Data Source: If there have been changes in the data source (like changes in the underlying database schema or data types), this can lead to discrepancies in data types.
  
  
  Transformation Rules: If there are transformation rules defined in the data flow that change the data type of certain fields, this can also trigger the error.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Data Source: Verify the data types in the source system and ensure they match the expected data types in the target system. If there are discrepancies, you may need to adjust the data types in the source or target.
  
  
  Adjust Transformation Logic: If you are using transformation logic in your data flow, review the transformation rules to ensure they are correctly defined and that they do not inadvertently change the data types.
  
  
  Update Data Model: If the data model has changed (e.g., new fields added, existing fields modified), update the data model in the target system to reflect these changes.
  
  
  Data Type Mapping: Ensure that the data type mapping between the source and target systems is correctly configured. You may need to explicitly define how certain data types should be handled during the extraction or loading process.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, perform thorough testing to ensure that the data is being extracted and loaded correctly without further errors.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to RSAR318. SAP frequently updates its documentation and provides solutions for known issues.
  
  
  Data Transfer Process: Familiarize yourself with the data transfer process in SAP BW or SAP HANA, as understanding how data types are handled can help prevent similar issues in the future.
  
  
  Documentation: Review the documentation for the specific SAP module you are working with (e.g., SAP BW, SAP HANA) to understand how data types are managed and any best practices for data extraction and loading.
  
  
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or support channels where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and ensuring proper configuration, you can resolve the RSAR318 error and prevent it from occurring in the future.