How To Fix /SAPAPO/OM_ERROR2186 - No or negative number of columns specified

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/OM_ERROR2 -

• Message number: 186

• Message text: No or negative number of columns specified

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.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SAPAPO/OM_ERROR2186 - No or negative number of columns specified ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/OM_ERROR2186 indicates that there is an issue with the number of columns specified in a certain operation, typically related to the SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) module. This error usually arises when the system expects a positive number of columns for a certain operation, but either none are specified or a negative number is provided.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Configuration: The configuration settings for the planning book or data view may not be set up correctly, leading to the system interpreting the number of columns as zero or negative.
  Data Issues: There may be issues with the data being processed, such as missing or incorrectly formatted data that leads to the calculation of columns being incorrect.
  User Input Error: If the user is manually entering parameters or settings, they may have inadvertently entered a negative number or left the field blank.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Go to the planning book or data view configuration in the SAP APO system.
  Ensure that the number of columns is correctly defined and that all necessary settings are properly configured.
  
  
  
  Review Data:
  
  Check the data being used in the planning book or the specific operation that triggered the error.
  Ensure that all required data is present and correctly formatted.
  
  
  
  User Input Validation:
  
  If the error is related to user input, validate the inputs to ensure that they are within acceptable ranges and formats.
  Implement checks to prevent negative or zero values from being entered where a positive number is required.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If the issue persists, consider using debugging tools within SAP to trace the execution and identify where the error is being triggered.
  Look for any custom code or enhancements that might be affecting the standard behavior.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to the specific version of APO you are using for any known issues or patches that might address this error.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. Provide them with details of the error, including the context in which it occurs.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might provide additional insights or solutions for this specific error.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed.
  Training and Documentation: Ensure that users are trained on the correct procedures for entering data and configuring planning books to minimize the risk of such errors.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.