How To Fix W8070 - Reference structure & for expression & is not a valid structure

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W8 - Workflow: Expressions, data flow

• Message number: 070

• Message text: Reference structure & for expression & is not a valid structure

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W8070 - Reference structure & for expression & is not a valid structure ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  W8070 Reference structure & for expression & is not a valid structure
  
  Cause:
  This warning occurs when the ABAP runtime or syntax check encounters a reference to a structure that is expected to be a valid structure type but is not recognized as such. Specifically:
  
  The program tries to use a data object or expression as a structure, but the referenced object is not defined as a structure in the ABAP Dictionary or in the program.
  The reference might be to a variable, field symbol, or data reference that is not typed as a structure.
  It can also happen if the structure name is misspelled or the data object is not declared properly.
  Sometimes, this warning appears when using field symbols or data references that are not properly assigned or typed.
  
  
  Explanation:
  
  The message indicates that the system expected a structure type for the given expression but found something else (e.g., a simple data type, internal table, or an untyped reference).
  The placeholders & in the message are replaced by the actual structure name and expression in the runtime or syntax check.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Data Declarations:
  
  
  Verify that the variable or field symbol you are referencing is declared as a structure.
  
  
  Example:
  TYPES: BEGIN OF ty_structure,
           field1 TYPE i,
           field2 TYPE c LENGTH 10,
         END OF ty_structure.
  
  DATA: ls_structure TYPE ty_structure.
  
  
  If you reference ls_structure-field1, ls_structure must be a structure.
  
  
  
  
  Check Field Symbol or Data Reference Assignments:
  
  If you use field symbols (<fs>) or data references (REF TO), ensure they are assigned and typed correctly before accessing their components.
  Example:
  FIELD-SYMBOLS: <fs> TYPE ty_structure.
  ASSIGN ls_structure TO <fs>.
  WRITE <fs>-field1.
  
  If <fs> is not assigned or not typed as a structure, the error occurs.
  
  
  
  Correct Typing of Expressions:
  
  If the expression is a function call or complex expression, ensure it returns a structure type.
  For example, if you have:
  WRITE some_function( )-field1.
  Make sure some_function() returns a structure.
  
  
  
  
  Check for Misspellings:
  
  Verify that the structure name and field names are spelled correctly.
  
  
  
  Use Proper Data Types:
  
  If you intended to use a structure but declared a simple type or internal table, correct the declaration.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  This is a warning (W) message, not an error, so the program might still run but with unexpected behavior.
  It is good practice to fix this warning to avoid runtime errors or incorrect data processing.
  Use the ABAP debugger or syntax check to trace the exact place where the warning occurs.
  If the structure is dynamically assigned, ensure the dynamic assignment is correct.
  
  
  Example Scenario:
  DATA: lv_int TYPE i.
  WRITE lv_int-field1. " This will cause W8070 because lv_int is not a structure
  Fix:
  TYPES: BEGIN OF ty_struct,
           field1 TYPE i,
         END OF ty_struct.
  
  DATA: ls_struct TYPE ty_struct.
  WRITE ls_struct-field1. " Correct usage
  
  If you provide the code snippet causing the warning, I can help you pinpoint the exact issue.
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Referencing a non-structure data object as a structure.
  
  
  Solution
  Ensure the referenced object is declared as a structure and properly typed/assigned.
  
  
  Message Type
  Warning (W8070)
  
  
  Impact
  Potential runtime errors or incorrect data access if not fixed.
  
  
  
  
  Let me know if you want help analyzing a specific code snippet!