How To Fix SD_EXPRESSION023 - Function SUBSTRING: Start position is greater than input string

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SD_EXPRESSION - Messages processing AST expressions

• Message number: 023

• Message text: Function SUBSTRING: Start position is greater than input string

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SD_EXPRESSION023 - Function SUBSTRING: Start position is greater than input string ?

  The SAP error message SD_EXPRESSION023 indicates that there is an issue with the use of the SUBSTRING function in an expression, specifically that the start position specified for the substring extraction is greater than the length of the input string. This typically occurs in scenarios where string manipulation is performed, such as in pricing procedures, condition records, or custom ABAP programs.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Start Position: The start position provided to the SUBSTRING function exceeds the length of the input string. For example, if the input string has a length of 5 and the start position is set to 6 or higher, this error will occur.
  Dynamic Data: The input string may be dynamically generated or derived from a database field, and its length may not be as expected.
  Incorrect Logic: There may be a logical error in the code or configuration that leads to an incorrect calculation of the start position.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Input String Length: Before using the SUBSTRING function, ensure that the length of the input string is checked. You can use the LENGTH function to verify the length of the string.
  Validate Start Position: Ensure that the start position is always less than or equal to the length of the input string. You can implement a conditional check to handle cases where the start position might be invalid.
  Debugging: If this error occurs in a custom ABAP program or a user exit, use debugging tools to trace the values of the input string and the start position at runtime.
  Error Handling: Implement error handling to manage cases where the input string is shorter than expected, possibly by providing a default value or logging the error for further investigation.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Review the SAP ABAP documentation for the SUBSTRING function to understand its parameters and usage.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or support channels to see if others have encountered similar issues and how they resolved them.
  Testing: Create test cases with various input strings to ensure that your logic handles all possible scenarios correctly.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the error and implement a solution to prevent it from occurring in the future.