How To Fix SY190 - Length change not allowed in conversion (&/&)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 190

• Message text: Length change not allowed in conversion (&/&)

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 SY190 - Length change not allowed in conversion (&/&) ?

  The SAP error message SY190, which states "Length change not allowed in conversion (&/&)," typically occurs when there is an attempt to convert data types or structures in a way that would change the length of the data. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when you are trying to assign a value from one variable to another where the target variable has a different length than the source variable.
  Cause:
  
  Data Type Mismatch: The most common cause is a mismatch in the lengths of the source and target fields. For example, trying to assign a longer string to a shorter string variable.
  Field Length Definitions: If the field lengths are defined differently in the database or in the ABAP program, this error can occur.
  Implicit Conversions: Implicit conversions that change the length of the data can trigger this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Types: Ensure that the data types and lengths of the source and target variables match. If they do not, you may need to adjust the lengths or use a different variable type.
  Explicit Conversion: If you need to convert data types, use explicit conversion functions (like CONCATENATE, CONVERT, etc.) that allow you to control the length and format of the data being converted.
  Adjust Field Lengths: If you are working with database fields, check the definitions in the Data Dictionary (SE11) and ensure that they are consistent with the lengths expected in your ABAP code.
  Use Substrings: If you are trying to assign a longer string to a shorter variable, consider using substring functions to extract only the part of the string that fits the target variable.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Data Types: Familiarize yourself with the different data types in ABAP and their lengths. Common types include CHAR, NUMC, and STRING.
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to step through your code and identify where the length mismatch is occurring.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation for more details on data type conversions and handling in ABAP.
  
  By addressing the length mismatch and ensuring that your data types are compatible, you should be able to resolve the SY190 error.