How To Fix /SAPAPO/FCST012 - Output length of characteristic &1 is greater than 30

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/FCST -

• Message number: 012

• Message text: Output length of characteristic &1 is greater than 30

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SAPAPO/FCST012 - Output length of characteristic &1 is greater than 30 ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/FCST012 indicates that the output length of a characteristic in the context of forecasting in SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) is greater than 30 characters. This can occur when you are trying to use a characteristic that has been defined with a length exceeding the allowed limit for certain operations or outputs.
  Cause:
  
  Characteristic Definition: The characteristic in question has been defined with a length greater than 30 characters in the master data or in the configuration settings.
  Data Model Limitations: Some SAP APO functionalities have limitations on the length of characteristics, especially when it comes to displaying or processing data in certain reports or transactions.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Review Characteristic Definition:
  
  Go to the characteristic definition in the SAP system (transaction CT04 for characteristics).
  Check the length of the characteristic that is causing the error. If it exceeds 30 characters, consider modifying it to fit within the limit.
  
  
  
  Modify Data Model:
  
  If the characteristic is part of a data model (like a planning area), you may need to adjust the model to ensure that the characteristic length is compliant with the requirements.
  You may need to create a new characteristic with a shorter length and update the relevant master data accordingly.
  
  
  
  Check Custom Code:
  
  If there is any custom code or user exits that manipulate characteristics, ensure that they are not inadvertently causing the issue by using characteristics with lengths greater than 30.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or notes related to the specific version of SAP APO you are using to see if there are any known issues or additional recommendations regarding characteristic lengths.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the functionality that was causing the error to ensure that the issue has been resolved.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have implemented.
  Documentation: Review the SAP APO documentation for best practices regarding characteristic definitions and limitations.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message /SAPAPO/FCST012 and ensure that your characteristics are defined correctly within the constraints of SAP APO.