How To Fix SY318 - '&' not allowed in first column of value table with IN operator

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 318

• Message text: '&' not allowed in first column of value table with IN operator

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SY318 - '&' not allowed in first column of value table with IN operator ?

  The SAP error message SY318 indicates that there is an issue with the syntax of a value table in an ABAP program, specifically when using the IN operator. The error message states that the character & is not allowed in the first column of the value table.
  Cause:
  The error typically occurs when you are trying to use a value table with the IN operator, and the first column of the value table contains an invalid character (in this case, &). The IN operator is used to check if a value exists within a specified set of values, and the syntax must adhere to specific rules.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should check the following:
  
  
  Review the Value Table: Ensure that the value table you are using with the IN operator does not contain any invalid characters in the first column. The first column should only contain valid values that are appropriate for the context in which you are using the IN operator.
  
  
  Correct the Syntax: If you find that the first column contains the & character or any other invalid character, you will need to modify the value table to remove or replace it with valid characters.
  
  
  Check for Dynamic Values: If the value table is being constructed dynamically, ensure that the logic used to populate the table does not introduce invalid characters.
  
  
  Use Proper Data Types: Ensure that the data types of the values in the value table match the expected data types for the comparison being made with the IN operator.
  
  
  Example:
  If you have a statement like this:
  DATA: lt_values TYPE TABLE OF string,
        lv_value  TYPE string.
  
  lt_values = VALUE #( ( 'Value1' ) ( '&InvalidValue' ) ( 'Value3' ) ).
  
  IF lv_value IN lt_values.
    " Do something
  ENDIF.
  You would need to change &InvalidValue to a valid string, such as InvalidValue, to avoid the error.
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP ABAP documentation for more details on the IN operator and value tables.
  SAP Community: You can search for similar issues on the SAP Community forums, where other developers may have encountered and resolved the same error.
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to step through your code and inspect the contents of the value table at runtime to identify any problematic entries.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SY318 error and ensure that your ABAP code runs correctly.