How To Fix WD405 - Container element '&' is an object

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WD - Workflow definition

• Message number: 405

• Message text: Container element '&' is an object

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WD405 - Container element '&' is an object ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WD405 Container element '&' is an object
  
  Cause
  This error occurs in Web Dynpro when you try to access a container element (attribute or node) in the component controller or context that is actually an object reference, but you are treating it as a simple data element (e.g., trying to read or write it as a value instead of handling it as an object).
  In other words, the container element you are trying to access is an object reference (an instance of a class), but your code or the Web Dynpro framework expects a simple data element (like a string, integer, or structure). This mismatch causes the error.
  
  Explanation
  
  In Web Dynpro, context nodes can have attributes of simple types (string, integer, etc.) or complex types (structures, objects).
  If a context attribute is defined as an object reference (e.g., a reference to a class instance), you cannot access it directly as a simple value.
  The error message indicates that the container element you are trying to access is an object, not a simple data element.
  
  
  Typical Scenarios
  
  Trying to bind a UI element (like an input field) directly to an object reference attribute.
  Trying to read or write a context attribute that is an object reference as if it were a simple data type.
  Incorrect context mapping or context attribute definition in the Web Dynpro component.
  
  
  Solution
  
  
  Check the context attribute type:
  
  Go to the context node in the Web Dynpro component controller or view controller.
  Verify if the attribute is defined as an object reference (type REF TO <class>).
  
  
  
  If the attribute is an object reference:
  
  You cannot bind UI elements directly to it.
  Instead, bind UI elements to the attributes of the object (if exposed via context attributes).
  Or, access the object reference in your code and then access its attributes/methods.
  
  
  
  Adjust your code accordingly:
  
  When accessing the context attribute in ABAP code, use object reference syntax.
  Example:
  DATA: lo_obj TYPE REF TO zcl_my_class.
  lo_obj = wd_context->get_attribute( name = 'my_object_ref' ).
  
  Do not try to treat lo_obj as a simple data element.
  
  
  
  If you need to display or edit data from the object:
  
  Create context attributes for the individual data fields (simple types) you want to display.
  Populate these attributes from the object in your code.
  Bind UI elements to these simple attributes.
  
  
  
  Review context mapping:
  
  Ensure that the context mapping between component controller and views is consistent.
  Object references should be handled carefully and not bound directly to UI elements.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information
  
  This error is common when developers try to shortcut by putting object references directly into the context and binding UI elements to them.
  Web Dynpro context is designed primarily for simple data types and structures, not for direct object references.
  If you need to pass objects around, do so in the component controller or via method calls, not via context attributes bound to UI elements.
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Description
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Accessing a context attribute that is an object reference as if it were a simple data element.
  
  
  Solution
  Handle object references properly in code; do not bind UI elements directly to object refs. Use simple data attributes for UI binding.
  
  
  Related Info
  Check context attribute types, adjust context mapping, and separate object handling from UI data binding.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the exact code snippet or context setup, I can help you with a more specific fix.