How To Fix RW642 - Characteristic values with more than 18 characters are not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RW - Interface to Accounting

• Message number: 642

• Message text: Characteristic values with more than 18 characters are not allowed

What causes this issue?

In line item &V1&, a characteristic value with more than 18 characters
was transferred for characteristic &V2&. This is only permitted for
characteristics created using the <ZH>User-Defined Fields and Logic</>
app in the <ZH>Controlling: Market Segment</> business context.

System Response

The document cannot be updated.

How to fix this error?

In the <AB>CRITERIA</> interface table, use the <AB>CHARACTER</>
parameter instead of the <AB>CUST_CHAR_VALUE_LONG</> parameter.

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 RW642 - Characteristic values with more than 18 characters are not allowed ?

  The SAP error message RW642 indicates that you are trying to enter characteristic values that exceed the maximum allowed length of 18 characters. This limitation is typically encountered in the context of SAP's classification system, where characteristics are used to define the properties of materials or other objects.
  Cause:
  The error occurs when:
  
  You attempt to assign a characteristic value that is longer than 18 characters to a characteristic in a classification system.
  The characteristic is defined in a way that restricts its value length to a maximum of 18 characters.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Definition:
  
  Go to the transaction code CT04 (Characteristic Maintenance) and check the definition of the characteristic you are trying to use.
  Ensure that the characteristic is defined with the appropriate length. If it is set to a maximum of 18 characters, you will need to either shorten the value you are trying to enter or modify the characteristic definition if possible.
  
  
  
  Shorten the Characteristic Value:
  
  If the characteristic value you are trying to enter exceeds 18 characters, consider abbreviating or truncating the value to fit within the limit.
  
  
  
  Review Data Entry:
  
  Ensure that you are not inadvertently entering extra spaces or characters that could push the length over 18 characters.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If you are unsure about the implications of changing the characteristic definition, consult your SAP documentation or reach out to your SAP administrator for guidance.
  
  
  
  Consider Alternative Solutions:
  
  If you frequently need to use longer values, consider creating a new characteristic that allows for longer values, if your business process allows for it.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or patches related to this error message. Sometimes, SAP releases notes that provide additional context or solutions for specific issues.
  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 CT04 (Characteristic Maintenance), CL02 (Class Maintenance), and CL01 (Create Class) for managing characteristics and classes in SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the RW642 error and successfully manage your characteristic values within the SAP system.