How To Fix UCUM040 - A negative number of rows or columns is invalid

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: UCUM - Messages for Monitor

• Message number: 040

• Message text: A negative number of rows or columns is invalid

What causes this issue?

You entered a negative number or zero for the maximum number of rows to
be displayed, or for the maximum number of scrollable columns. This is
not feasible.

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?

Instead, enter a positive number for the maximum number of rows to be
displayed, or for the maximum number of scrollable columns.
There is one exception: If your intention is to always display all rows,
enter the value "<LB>-1</>" (minus one).

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 UCUM040 - A negative number of rows or columns is invalid ?

  The SAP error message UCUM040, which states "A negative number of rows or columns is invalid," typically occurs in the context of SAP's reporting or data manipulation functionalities, such as when working with queries, reports, or data extraction processes. This error indicates that there is an attempt to define a data structure (like a table or matrix) with a negative number of rows or columns, which is not permissible.
  Causes:
  
  Incorrect Input Values: The most common cause is that the input values for the number of rows or columns are being set to negative numbers, either due to user error or a bug in the code.
  Data Source Issues: If the data source being queried or manipulated has issues (e.g., missing data, incorrect configurations), it might lead to calculations that result in negative values.
  Configuration Errors: Misconfigurations in the report or query settings can lead to incorrect calculations or assumptions about the data structure.
  Programming Errors: If custom code (e.g., ABAP programs) is involved, there may be logical errors that lead to negative values being calculated or passed.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Input Values: Review the input parameters for the report or query to ensure that they are set correctly and do not contain negative values.
  Validate Data Sources: Ensure that the data sources being used are correctly configured and contain valid data. Check for any missing or corrupted data that might affect calculations.
  Review Configuration Settings: Go through the configuration settings of the report or query to ensure that they are set up correctly and that there are no logical errors.
  Debug Custom Code: If custom ABAP code is involved, debug the code to identify where the negative values are being generated. Look for any calculations or data manipulations that could lead to negative results.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance related to the report or query you are working with.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed. Other users may have encountered the same error and can provide insights or solutions.
  SAP Support: If the issue persists and cannot be resolved through the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP Support for assistance. They can provide more in-depth troubleshooting based on your specific system configuration and usage.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the UCUM040 error and implement a solution to resolve it.