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How To Fix W/142 - Selection was limited to &1 of &2 hits


SAP Error Message - Details

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: W/ -

  • Message number: 142

  • Message text: Selection was limited to &1 of &2 hits

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  • 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.

    Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.



    What else can you do?

    First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

    Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

    You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.


Smart SAP Assistant

  • What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W/142 - Selection was limited to &1 of &2 hits ?

    The SAP message W/142: Selection was limited to &1 of &2 hits typically occurs during data selection or report execution when the system limits the number of records retrieved or processed.


    Cause:

    • The selection or query you executed returned a very large number of hits (records).
    • To avoid performance issues or system overload, SAP limits the number of records processed or displayed.
    • The message indicates that only a subset (&1) of the total hits (&2) was actually selected or processed.

    This is a warning message, not an error, meaning the system is informing you that the output is partial.


    Explanation:

    • SAP often has limits on the maximum number of records that can be fetched or displayed in reports or selection screens.
    • These limits are set to protect system performance and prevent long runtimes or memory issues.
    • The message tells you that the system truncated the result set to the maximum allowed number.

    Solution:

    1. Refine your selection criteria
      Narrow down the selection parameters to reduce the number of hits. For example, add date ranges, specific document numbers, or other filters.

    2. Increase the limit (if possible and appropriate)

      • Some SAP reports or transactions allow you to increase the maximum number of hits via parameters or user settings.
      • Check if there is a parameter like MAX_HITS or similar in the selection screen or report variant.
      • Be cautious when increasing limits as it may impact system performance.
    3. Use background processing
      If the report is large, consider running it in background mode and exporting the results to a file for further analysis.

    4. Check SAP Notes or documentation
      Sometimes SAP provides notes or patches to handle large data volumes more efficiently.


    Related Information:

    • This message is a warning (W), not an error, so the program continues but with limited data.
    • Common in reports like transaction SE16/SE16N (table display), ALV reports, or custom reports with large datasets.
    • The placeholders &1 and &2 represent the number of hits processed and total hits found, respectively.

    Summary:

    Aspect Details
    Message W/142 Selection was limited to &1 of &2 hits
    Cause Too many records found; system limits output
    Effect Only partial data is processed/displayed
    Solution Refine selection, increase limits carefully, or run in background
    Notes Warning message; system protects performance

    If you provide the specific transaction or report where you see this message, I can help with more tailored advice.

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