How To Fix TB850 - Comparison not possible; key of table/view is greater than & bytes

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TB - SM31 table maintenance messages

• Message number: 850

• Message text: Comparison not possible; key of table/view is greater than & bytes

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message TB850 - Comparison not possible; key of table/view is greater than & bytes ?

  The SAP error message TB850 ("Comparison not possible; key of table/view is greater than & bytes") typically occurs when there is an attempt to compare or process a key that exceeds the maximum allowed size for a comparison operation in SAP. This is often related to database operations where the key length exceeds the limits set by the system.
  Cause:
  
  Key Length Exceeded: The primary cause of this error is that the key of the database table or view being accessed is larger than the maximum size that can be handled by the comparison operation. In SAP, the maximum size for a key comparison is usually 255 bytes.
  Data Model Design: Poorly designed data models or incorrect configurations can lead to situations where keys are unnecessarily large.
  Custom Development: Custom ABAP programs or enhancements that involve database operations may inadvertently create situations where large keys are compared.
  
  Solution:
  
  Review Key Lengths: Check the definition of the table or view in question. If the key length exceeds the allowed limit, consider redesigning the data model to reduce the key size.
  Modify Queries: If the error occurs in a custom ABAP program, review the SQL queries or data access logic to ensure that they are not attempting to compare overly large keys.
  Use Alternative Logic: If possible, use alternative logic that does not require direct comparison of large keys. This might involve breaking down the key into smaller components or using different methods to achieve the desired outcome.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to the specific tables or views involved to see if there are any known issues or recommendations.
  SAP Support: If the issue persists and cannot be resolved through the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide guidance on best practices for key management.
  Database Performance: Consider the impact of large keys on database performance and indexing. Reducing key sizes can improve performance.
  Testing: After making changes, thoroughly test the affected programs or transactions to ensure that the error is resolved and that no new issues have been introduced.
  
  By addressing the root cause of the error and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the TB850 error in your SAP environment.