How To Fix TS212 - The output field is not a character field

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: TS - TemSe - temporary sequential object management

• Message number: 212

• Message text: The output field is not a character field

What causes this issue?

An output procedure was requested. However, the field in which output
should be placed cannot accept any characters.

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?

Determine the procedure call position and correct the program.

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 TS212 - The output field is not a character field ?

  The SAP error message TS212, which states "The output field is not a character field," typically occurs in the context of ABAP programming or when working with data types in SAP. This error indicates that there is a mismatch between the expected data type of a field and the actual data type being used in a program or report.
  Cause:
  
  Data Type Mismatch: The most common cause of this error is that the program is trying to output a field that is not of a character type (e.g., it might be a numeric type, date type, or another non-character type).
  Field Definition: The field in question may not be defined correctly in the data dictionary or in the program.
  Output Formatting: The output formatting routine may be expecting a character field but is receiving a different type.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Field Definitions: Review the data dictionary (SE11) to ensure that the field being output is defined as a character type (CHAR, STRING, etc.). If it is not, you may need to change the field type or convert it to a character type before outputting.
  
  
  Data Conversion: If the field is of a different type (e.g., numeric), you can convert it to a character type using ABAP functions like CONCATENATE, WRITE, or CONVERT functions. For example:
  DATA: lv_output TYPE string.
  lv_output = CONDENSE( lv_numeric_field ).
  WRITE: / lv_output.
  
  
  Check Output Statements: Review the output statements in your ABAP code (e.g., WRITE, LOOP, etc.) to ensure that they are being used correctly with the appropriate data types.
  
  
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to step through the code and identify where the error occurs. This can help you pinpoint the exact field causing the issue.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are using standard SAP programs or reports, consult the SAP documentation or notes related to the specific transaction or report to see if there are known issues or updates.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Data Types: Familiarize yourself with the different data types in ABAP, especially character types (CHAR, STRING) and how they are used in output.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to the error message TS212.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for additional insights or similar experiences from other users.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the TS212 error and ensure that your output fields are correctly defined and formatted.