How To Fix SY023 - Line too long (> &) for list in host format

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 023

• Message text: Line too long (> &) for list in host format

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 SY023 - Line too long (> &) for list in host format ?

  The SAP error message SY023: Line too long (> &) typically occurs when generating a list in host format, and it indicates that one of the lines in the output exceeds the maximum allowed length. This can happen when the data being outputted is too wide for the specified format or the limitations of the host system.
  Cause:
  
  Excessive Data Width: The output line exceeds the maximum character limit that can be handled by the host format. This is often due to a large number of fields being printed or very long field values.
  Incorrect Formatting: The output format may not be properly defined, leading to longer lines than expected.
  Data Concatenation: If multiple fields are concatenated into a single line without proper delimiters or formatting, it can lead to excessively long lines.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Adjust Output Format:
  
  Review the report or program generating the output. Ensure that the output format is correctly defined and that it adheres to the limitations of the host format.
  If using WRITE statements, consider breaking down the output into smaller segments or using NEW-LINE to control line length.
  
  
  
  Limit Field Lengths:
  
  If possible, truncate or limit the length of the fields being outputted. This can be done by using string functions to shorten the data before outputting it.
  
  
  
  Use Pagination:
  
  If the report is generating a large amount of data, consider implementing pagination or breaking the output into multiple pages or sections.
  
  
  
  Check for Concatenation Issues:
  
  Ensure that when concatenating fields, you are adding appropriate delimiters (like spaces or commas) to avoid creating excessively long lines.
  
  
  
  Modify Host Settings:
  
  If you have control over the host settings, check if there are any configurations that can be adjusted to allow for longer lines, though this is less common.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation for more details on output formatting and limitations.
  ABAP Programming: If you are familiar with ABAP, you can debug the program to identify where the line length is being exceeded and make necessary adjustments.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for insights from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By addressing the line length issue through these solutions, you should be able to resolve the SY023 error and successfully generate your output in the desired format.