Error
Error Code:
286
SAP S/4HANA Error 286: Identifier Too Long
Description
Error 286, ERR_SQL_LONG_IDENTIFIER, indicates that a database object name or a programming identifier used in an SQL statement exceeds the maximum allowed length. This typically occurs during data dictionary activation, program execution, or custom development when interacting with the underlying database.
Error Message
ERR_SQL_LONG_IDENTIFIER
Known Causes
4 known causesDatabase Object Naming
Table, column, index, or view names created in the SAP S/4HANA system or directly in the underlying database exceed the database's maximum identifier length.
ABAP Dictionary Definitions
Custom data elements, domains, or structure components defined in the ABAP Dictionary have names that are too long for the database objects they generate.
SQL Statement Syntax
Long aliases, variable names, or other identifiers within a dynamically generated or manually crafted SQL statement exceed the database's limits.
External System Integration
When integrating with external systems, object names or field identifiers passed to or from SAP S/4HANA might exceed database limits upon creation or update.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Shorten Custom Table or Field Names easy
Reduce the length of custom table or field names that exceed the identifier limit.
1
Identify the custom table or field that is causing the error. This usually occurs during development or when migrating custom objects.
2
Review the naming conventions for your custom objects. SAP S/4HANA, like many database systems, has limits on identifier lengths (e.g., 30 characters for tables and fields in older versions, but can be more in HANA itself depending on configuration).
3
Rename the custom table or field to a shorter, more concise name that adheres to the identifier length limits. Ensure the new name is still descriptive and follows your organization's naming standards.
Example: If a table name is `ZMYVERYLONGCUSTOMERTABLEFORREPORTING`, consider renaming it to `ZMVL_CUST_REP` or similar.4
If the object is already in the system, you might need to use transaction `SE11` (ABAP Dictionary) to rename the table or field. Be aware that renaming objects can have implications for existing programs and data. Thorough testing is required.
2. Review and Shorten Generated Object Names medium
Address long identifiers in automatically generated objects by adjusting generation logic or configuration.
1
This error can occur with automatically generated objects, such as those created by SAP Fiori Elements, CDS views, or other code generation tools. The generation logic might be creating overly long names.
2
Examine the source code or configuration that generates the object. For CDS views, check the annotations and the underlying table structures. For Fiori Elements, review the service definition and entity names.
3
Modify the generation logic or input parameters to produce shorter object names. This might involve:
- Shortening descriptive fields in CDS view annotations.
- Adjusting naming conventions in custom code generation tools.
- Using shorter entity names in Fiori Elements service definitions.
- Shortening descriptive fields in CDS view annotations.
- Adjusting naming conventions in custom code generation tools.
- Using shorter entity names in Fiori Elements service definitions.
Example for CDS View: If a CDS view's annotation `sap.common.CodeList.elementName` is excessively long, shorten its value.4
Regenerate the object after making the necessary changes and redeploy the application or service.
3. Check HANA Database Identifier Limits advanced
Verify and potentially adjust SAP HANA's maximum identifier length if it's unusually restrictive.
1
While SAP S/4HANA itself has guidelines, the underlying SAP HANA database has its own limits for identifiers. These are typically quite generous (e.g., 128 characters for object names), but it's worth confirming.
2
Connect to your SAP HANA database using a tool like SAP HANA Studio or `hdbsql`.
3
Query the `M_CONFIGURATION` system view to check the current value of the `max_identifier_length` parameter. Note that this parameter is often not directly configurable by users and is set by SAP.
SQL:
SELECT * FROM M_CONFIGURATION WHERE KEY = 'max_identifier_length';4
If the `max_identifier_length` is unexpectedly low (which is highly unlikely for a standard HANA installation), consult SAP notes and potentially engage SAP Support. Direct modification of this parameter is generally not recommended unless advised by SAP.
5
The primary focus should remain on adhering to SAP's recommended naming conventions for S/4HANA development, which typically aim for clarity and brevity within reasonable limits.