How To Fix SF954 - & : Asterisk may not be followed by characters &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SF - SAPfind: Message Texts

• Message number: 954

• Message text: & : Asterisk may not be followed by characters &

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 SF954 - & : Asterisk may not be followed by characters & ?

  The SAP error message SF954, which states "Asterisk may not be followed by characters," typically occurs in the context of SAP's query or reporting tools, particularly when using wildcard characters in selection criteria. This error indicates that there is an issue with how the asterisk (*) wildcard is being used in your input.
  Cause:
  The error arises when an asterisk is used incorrectly in a selection field. In SAP, the asterisk is a wildcard that represents any number of characters. However, it cannot be followed by any other characters directly. For example, using *abc or *xyz* would trigger this error because the asterisk is not at the end of the input or is followed by other characters.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should check the input fields where you are using the asterisk wildcard. Here are some steps to follow:
  
  
  Review Input Fields: Go through the selection criteria where you have used the asterisk. Ensure that if you are using an asterisk, it is either at the beginning of the string or at the end, but not followed by any other characters.
  
  
  Correct Usage:
  
  If you want to match any string that ends with "abc", use *abc.
  If you want to match any string that starts with "xyz", use xyz*.
  If you want to match any string that contains "def", use *def*.
  
  
  
  Remove Invalid Characters: If you have mistakenly added characters after the asterisk, remove them or adjust your input to conform to the correct usage of wildcards.
  
  
  Test the Query: After making the necessary adjustments, run the query or report again to see if the error persists.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Wildcard Usage in SAP: In SAP, the asterisk (*) is commonly used as a wildcard in various contexts, including selection screens, queries, and reports. Understanding how to use wildcards correctly is crucial for effective data retrieval.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for more detailed information on using wildcards in specific transactions or reports.
  SAP Community: If you continue to face issues, consider reaching out to the SAP Community forums or support for additional assistance.
  
  By following these guidelines, you should be able to resolve the SF954 error and use wildcards effectively in your SAP queries.