How To Fix WL386 - ABAP data type '&V2&' is not allowed in a container operation

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WL - Workflow: run-time messages

• Message number: 386

• Message text: ABAP data type '&V2&' is not allowed in a container operation

What causes this issue?

Element or expression &V1& has the ABAP data type '&V2&' which is not
supported.
The following abbreviations are used in the message:

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

'I': whole numbers (ABAP data type: Int1, Int2, Int4)
'P': packed numbers with decimal places and signs (Dec, Packed)
'N': character string with numerical values (Numc)
'C': character strings (Character)
'D': date
'T': time
'O' or 'o': objects from the Business Object Repository

System Response

The compare or calculate operation is not accepted in this form. The
workflow definition contains errors.

How to fix this error?

Arithmetic operations or assignments can only consist of elements or
values based on one of the following data types:
integers (internal ABAP data type I or X)
packed numbers, with decimal places if applicable (ABAP data type)
numeric character strings (ABAP data type N)
character strings (ABAP data type C)
date (ABAP data type D)
time (ABAP data type T)
objects from the Business Object Repository (Workflow)
Floating-point numbers (type F) are not permitted. You should therefore
only select elements or values with the types listed above.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WL386 - ABAP data type '&V2&' is not allowed in a container operation ?

  The SAP error message WL386 indicates that there is an issue with the ABAP data type being used in a container operation. Specifically, it states that the data type represented by &V2& is not allowed in the context of the operation being performed. This typically occurs when you are trying to use a data type that is incompatible with the expected types for a container operation, such as a table or a structure.
  Cause:
  
  Incompatible Data Type: The data type you are trying to use in a container operation (like a table, internal table, or structure) is not supported. For example, certain complex types or user-defined types may not be allowed.
  Incorrect Declaration: The variable may not be declared correctly or may not be initialized properly before being used in the container operation.
  Contextual Misuse: The operation you are trying to perform may not be valid for the data type you are using. For instance, trying to use a scalar type where a table type is expected.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Type: Review the data type of the variable &V2& and ensure it is compatible with the container operation you are trying to perform. Commonly allowed types include standard data types (like CHAR, NUMC, INT, etc.) and specific table types.
  Change Data Type: If the data type is not allowed, consider changing it to a compatible type. For example, if you are using a structure, ensure it is defined correctly and is suitable for the operation.
  Initialization: Ensure that the variable is properly initialized before being used in the operation. This can help avoid runtime errors.
  Review Documentation: Check the SAP documentation for the specific container operation you are using to understand the expected data types and structures.
  
  Related Information:
  
  ABAP Data Types: Familiarize yourself with the different ABAP data types and their compatibility with various operations. The SAP Help Portal provides detailed information on ABAP data types.
  Debugging: Use the ABAP debugger to step through your code and inspect the data types of the variables at runtime. This can help identify where the issue arises.
  SAP Notes: Search for relevant SAP Notes or community forums for similar issues. Sometimes, specific versions of SAP may have known issues or patches that address such errors.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the WL386 error and successfully perform the desired container operation in your ABAP program.