How To Fix WD268 - Expression '&' is not a time

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WD - Workflow definition

• Message number: 268

• Message text: Expression '&' is not a time

What causes this issue?

The expression entered is not a time or is a constant.

System Response

Constants are not allowed.

How to fix this error?

Enter an expression for a time.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WD268 - Expression '&' is not a time ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WD268 Expression '&' is not a time
  
  Cause
  This error occurs in Web Dynpro ABAP when an expression expected to be of type time is either:
  
  Empty or uninitialized (e.g., the expression evaluates to & which is a placeholder or empty value), or  
  Contains a value that is not a valid time format (HHMMSS), or  
  The data binding or context attribute is incorrectly typed or not properly set.
  
  In other words, the Web Dynpro framework tries to interpret a value as a time, but the value is either missing or invalid.
  
  When does it typically occur?
  
  When binding a UI element (like a Time field) to a context attribute that is empty or contains invalid data.  
  When converting or formatting a string or variable to a time type and the value is not a valid time.  
  When the context attribute is not initialized before the UI element tries to display it.
  
  
  Solution
  
  
  Check the Context Attribute:
  
  Verify that the context attribute bound to the time UI element is of type TIME (ABAP type T).
  Ensure that the attribute is initialized with a valid time value before the UI element is rendered.
  If the attribute can be empty, consider initializing it with a default time value like '000000' (midnight) or handle empty values explicitly.
  
  
  
  Validate Data Before Binding:
  
  If the time value comes from user input or external sources, validate and convert it properly before assigning it to the context attribute.
  Use ABAP statements like CONV t( <string> ) or cl_abap_tstmp=>string_to_time to convert strings to time safely.
  
  
  
  Handle Empty or Invalid Values:
  
  In the UI controller or component controller, add logic to check if the time value is empty or invalid and set a default or skip binding.
  Alternatively, use a formatter or converter class to handle invalid values gracefully.
  
  
  
  Check UI Element Properties:
  
  Ensure that the UI element expecting a time value is correctly configured.
  If using a Time UI element, it must be bound to a context attribute of type TIME.
  
  
  
  
  Example
  DATA: lv_time TYPE t.
  
  " Initialize time to midnight if empty
  IF lv_time IS INITIAL.
    lv_time = '000000'.
  ENDIF.
  
  " Assign to context attribute
  wd_context->set_attribute( name = 'TimeAttr' value = lv_time ).
  
  Related Information
  
  
  ABAP Data Types:
  
  TIME type in ABAP is a 6-character string representing time in HHMMSS format.
  
  
  Web Dynpro Time UI Element:
  
  The time UI element expects a valid time value; otherwise, it throws errors like WD268.
  
  
  SAP Notes and Forums:
  
  Searching for WD268 Expression '&' is not a time in SAP Notes or SCN (SAP Community Network) can provide additional examples and solutions.
  
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Invalid or empty value bound as time (& means empty)
  
  
  Effect
  Web Dynpro cannot interpret the value as a valid time
  
  
  Solution
  Initialize context attribute with valid time; validate input; ensure correct data type binding
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the code snippet or context where this error occurs, I can help you with a more specific fix.