How To Fix SY471 - Reference destroyed; cannot display header

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SY - ABAP/4 system messages

• Message number: 471

• Message text: Reference destroyed; cannot display header

What causes this issue?

You wanted to display the header of a deep data object (string, internal
table, object, data reference) in the ABAP Debugger.
However, the object reference has been destroyed. You can therefore
access neither the object nor the header.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

This is not an error in the Debugger. The object reference was
destroyed earlier - probably by an error in the ABAP program.
You can display the hexadecimal value of the reference in the ABAP
Debugger using an ampersand as prefix (&ref).
You should find out, why this object reference was destroyed. By step
by step debugging or setting a watchpoint at the object reference (
&ref) you should establish, which statement (point in the program)
caused the destruction of the object reference.
You may have to write a problem message and specify the hexidecimal
value of the object reference in it.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SY471 - Reference destroyed; cannot display header ?

  The SAP error message SY471: Reference destroyed; cannot display header typically occurs when there is an issue with the data reference in the ABAP program. This error indicates that the program is trying to access a data object that has been destroyed or is no longer available in memory. Here are some common causes, solutions, and related information for this error:
  Causes:
  
  Invalid Data Reference: The program may be trying to access a data reference that has been freed or is not properly initialized.
  Scope Issues: The variable or object may have gone out of scope, leading to a destroyed reference.
  Incorrect Handling of Internal Tables: If you are using internal tables and the data is not properly managed (e.g., deleting entries without proper checks), it can lead to this error.
  Dynamic Programming Issues: If you are using dynamic programming techniques (like dynamic method calls or dynamic field accesses), there may be issues with the references being valid at the time of access.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Data References: Ensure that all data references are properly initialized and not freed before they are accessed. Use ASSIGN statements carefully and check for success.
  Scope Management: Make sure that the variables or objects are within the correct scope when they are being accessed. Avoid accessing local variables outside their defined scope.
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to trace the program execution and identify where the reference is being destroyed. Look for any FREE statements or scope exits that may be causing the issue.
  Error Handling: Implement error handling to check if a reference is valid before trying to access it. Use IF statements to check the validity of references.
  Review Internal Table Operations: If you are working with internal tables, ensure that you are managing the entries correctly. Check for any operations that might lead to the destruction of references.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Documentation: Review the official SAP ABAP documentation for best practices on handling data references and internal tables.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues related to this error message. Sometimes, specific versions of SAP may have bugs that are documented in SAP Notes.
  Community Forums: Engage with the SAP community forums or Stack Overflow for insights from other developers who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By following these guidelines, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the SY471 error in your SAP environment.