How To Fix RSDS100 - &1: Explicit external length is less than implicit external length

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RSDS - New DataSource

• Message number: 100

• Message text: &1: Explicit external length is less than implicit external length

What causes this issue?

You specified an <LS>output length</> (external length) &V3&, for field
&V1& segment &V2&. The external length of the field implicitly
calculated by the system, however, is &V4&.

System Response

The system ignores the external length that you specified.

How to fix this error?

Either shorten the technical length of the field (<LS>length</> field),
increase the output length, or delete the explicit value that you
entered for the output length.

Procedure for System Administrators

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 RSDS100 - &1: Explicit external length is less than implicit external length ?

  The SAP error message RSDS100 with the description "Explicit external length is less than implicit external length" typically occurs in the context of data extraction or data transfer processes, particularly when dealing with DataSources in SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or when working with ABAP programs that involve data structures.
  Cause:
  This error arises when there is a mismatch between the defined lengths of fields in the data structure. Specifically, it indicates that the explicit length defined for a field (the length specified in the data structure or DataSource) is shorter than the implicit length that the system expects based on the data type or the underlying database structure.
  For example:
  
  If a field is defined as a character type with an explicit length of 10 characters, but the underlying data type in the database or the data model expects a length of 20 characters, this error will occur.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the RSDS100 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check DataSource Definition:
  
  Go to the DataSource in the SAP BW system and check the field definitions. Ensure that the explicit lengths of the fields match the expected lengths based on the underlying data model.
  
  
  
  Adjust Field Lengths:
  
  If you find discrepancies, adjust the explicit lengths of the fields in the DataSource or the data structure to match the implicit lengths. This may involve modifying the DataSource or the underlying table definitions.
  
  
  
  Review ABAP Code:
  
  If the error occurs in an ABAP program, review the code to ensure that the data types and lengths defined in the program match those in the database or DataSource.
  
  
  
  Re-activate DataSource:
  
  After making changes, you may need to re-activate the DataSource in the SAP BW system to ensure that the changes take effect.
  
  
  
  Test the Data Transfer:
  
  After making the necessary adjustments, test the data transfer or extraction process again to ensure that the error has been resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Data Types: Familiarize yourself with the different data types in SAP and their implicit lengths. For example, CHAR, NUMC, and DATS have specific lengths that should be adhered to.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. Sometimes, there may be specific fixes or recommendations provided by SAP.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to DataSources and data modeling in BW for best practices on defining field lengths and data types.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the RSDS100 error in your SAP environment.