How To Fix RSRTS_CDS016 - WHEN clause (of simple case statement) must be a characteristic value

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RSRTS_CDS - Messages Transient CDS Queries

• Message number: 016

• Message text: WHEN clause (of simple case statement) must be a characteristic value

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RSRTS_CDS016 - WHEN clause (of simple case statement) must be a characteristic value ?

  The SAP error message RSRTS_CDS016 typically occurs in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) when working with Composite Data Sources (CDS) views or when creating queries in the SAP BW Query Designer. This error indicates that there is an issue with the syntax or logic of a CASE statement in your query, specifically in the WHEN clause.
  Cause:
  The error message "WHEN clause (of simple case statement) must be a characteristic value" suggests that the value provided in the WHEN clause of your CASE statement is not recognized as a valid characteristic value. This can happen due to several reasons:
  
  Incorrect Data Type: The value used in the WHEN clause may not match the expected data type of the characteristic.
  Invalid Characteristic: The characteristic referenced in the WHEN clause may not be available in the context of the query or may not be properly defined.
  Syntax Error: There may be a syntax error in the CASE statement itself, such as missing commas or incorrect formatting.
  Context Issues: The characteristic might not be part of the data set being queried, leading to the inability to evaluate the WHEN clause correctly.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the RSRTS_CDS016 error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check the CASE Statement: Review the syntax of your CASE statement. Ensure that the WHEN clause is correctly formatted and that the values used are valid characteristic values.
  Example of a correct CASE statement:
  CASE 
      WHEN characteristic = 'Value1' THEN 'Result1'
      WHEN characteristic = 'Value2' THEN 'Result2'
      ELSE 'DefaultResult'
  END
  
  
  Verify Characteristic Values: Ensure that the values used in the WHEN clause are valid and exist in the characteristic's domain. You can check the characteristic in the SAP BW data model to confirm its values.
  
  
  Data Type Consistency: Make sure that the data types of the characteristic and the values in the WHEN clause match. For example, if the characteristic is of type integer, the values in the WHEN clause should also be integers.
  
  
  Check Query Context: Ensure that the characteristic you are referencing in the WHEN clause is included in the query context. If it is not part of the data set being queried, you will need to include it.
  
  
  Test with Simple Queries: If you are still facing issues, try simplifying your query to isolate the problem. Start with a basic CASE statement and gradually add complexity to identify where the error occurs.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the characteristics or the syntax, refer to the SAP documentation or help resources for guidance on using CASE statements in your specific version of SAP BW.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP BW Query Designer: Familiarize yourself with the Query Designer tool, as it provides a graphical interface for building queries and can help you visualize the structure of your data.
  SAP Notes and Community: Check SAP Notes for any known issues related to this error message. The SAP Community forums can also be a valuable resource for troubleshooting and finding solutions shared by other users.
  Data Modeling: Understanding the underlying data model and how characteristics are defined in your SAP BW system can help prevent similar errors in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the RSRTS_CDS016 error in your SAP BW queries.