How To Fix SWF_RLS_001161 - The left operand of the operator '&1' must be character-like

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SWF_RLS_001 - Condition Evaluation and Rule Evaluation

• Message number: 161

• Message text: The left operand of the operator '&1' must be character-like

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SWF_RLS_001161 - The left operand of the operator '&1' must be character-like ?

  The SAP error message SWF_RLS_001161 indicates that there is an issue with the data types being used in an expression within a workflow or a related process. Specifically, the error states that the left operand of the operator (in this case, &1) must be character-like, meaning that the operand is expected to be a string or character data type, but it is not.
  Cause:
  This error typically occurs when:
  
  A variable or field that is expected to be of a character type is actually of a different type (e.g., numeric, date, etc.).
  There is a mismatch in the data types being used in a comparison or concatenation operation.
  The workflow logic is incorrectly defined, leading to the use of incompatible data types.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Data Types: Review the data types of the operands involved in the operation. Ensure that the left operand is indeed a character-like type. You can do this by checking the definitions of the variables or fields in the workflow.
  
  
  Type Conversion: If the left operand is not a character type, you may need to convert it to a character type. In ABAP, you can use the CONCATENATE statement or the WRITE statement with the appropriate formatting options to convert other data types to character strings.
  
  
  Modify Workflow Logic: If the error is due to incorrect logic in the workflow, you may need to adjust the workflow steps to ensure that the correct data types are being used in the operations.
  
  
  Debugging: Use the debugging tools available in SAP to step through the workflow and identify where the data type mismatch is occurring. This can help you pinpoint the exact location of the error.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the specific operators or functions being used, refer to the SAP documentation for the relevant workflow components to understand the expected data types.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional context.
  Workflow Documentation: Review the documentation for the specific workflow you are working with to understand the expected data types and operations.
  Community Forums: Consider searching or posting in SAP community forums for additional insights from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the SWF_RLS_001161 error in your SAP workflow.