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Description

Error 5172, ERR_TEXT_COMMON_INVALID_LENGTH, indicates that a text field or input has either exceeded its maximum allowed length or fallen short of its minimum required length. This typically occurs during data entry, saving, or integration processes when data constraints are violated within SAP S/4HANA.

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Error Message

ERR_TEXT_COMMON_INVALID_LENGTH

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Incorrect User Input Length

A user entered text into a field that is either longer than the maximum allowed characters or shorter than the minimum required characters.

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Data Integration Mismatch

During data migration or integration, source system data might not conform to the length restrictions of the corresponding fields in SAP S/4HANA.

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Custom Field Configuration Error

A custom field or configuration has been set up with incorrect length restrictions, causing valid data to be rejected by the system.

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System Field Constraint Violation

An attempt was made to store data in a standard SAP field that violates its predefined length constraints, often due to an underlying process.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Identify and Truncate Oversized Text Fields medium

Locate and shorten text entries exceeding the defined database column limits.

1

Determine the maximum allowed length for text fields in the relevant SAP S/4HANA tables. This is often dictated by the data dictionary definitions in SAP.

SELECT
    tab.TABLE_NAME,
    col.COLUMN_NAME,
    col.DATA_TYPE,
    col.LENGTH
FROM
    ALL_TAB_COLUMNS col
JOIN
    ALL_TABLES tab ON col.TABLE_NAME = tab.TABLE_NAME
WHERE
    col.DATA_TYPE IN ('VARCHAR2', 'NVARCHAR2')
    AND tab.OWNER = 'SAPSR3' -- or your S/4HANA schema owner
ORDER BY
    tab.TABLE_NAME, col.COLUMN_NAME;

2

Use SQL queries to identify specific records where text fields exceed these limits. Replace 'YOUR_TABLE_NAME' and 'YOUR_TEXT_COLUMN' with the actual table and column names.

SELECT
    ROWID,
    YOUR_TEXT_COLUMN
FROM
    SAPSR3.YOUR_TABLE_NAME
WHERE
    LENGTH(YOUR_TEXT_COLUMN) > MAX_ALLOWED_LENGTH;

3

For identified records, manually edit the text within SAP S/4HANA transactions or use appropriate data mass change tools to truncate the text to comply with the length restrictions. If direct database manipulation is necessary (use with extreme caution and proper backups), update the record.

UPDATE SAPSR3.YOUR_TABLE_NAME
SET YOUR_TEXT_COLUMN = SUBSTR(YOUR_TEXT_COLUMN, 1, MAX_ALLOWED_LENGTH)
WHERE ROWID = 'YOUR_ROWID';

4

Re-run the transaction that caused the error to confirm the issue is resolved.

2. Review and Adjust SAP S/4HANA Data Element Lengths advanced

Modify the underlying SAP data element definitions to accommodate longer text if necessary.

1

Identify the SAP S/4HANA Data Element associated with the text field causing the error. This can be done by inspecting the table and column definitions in transaction SE11.

N/A

2

Access transaction SE11 (ABAP Dictionary).

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3

Enter the Data Element name and click 'Display'.

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4

Review the 'Data Type' and 'Length' fields. If the current length is insufficient for legitimate business requirements, consider increasing it. **Caution:** This is a significant change that can have wider implications across SAP.

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5

If an increase is justified, modify the length and save the Data Element. You will likely need to activate the Data Element and any dependent objects (like the table itself).

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6

Perform thorough testing in a non-production environment before implementing this change in production. This may involve re-running data migration or integration processes.

3. Investigate Data Ingestion or Integration Issues medium

Examine data sources and integration processes for incorrect or oversized text data.

1

Identify the specific business process or integration scenario that triggers the error. This could be a data migration, an API call, or a batch job.

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2

Analyze the source data for the fields involved. Check if the source system is providing text that is consistently longer than expected.

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3

Review the mapping and transformation logic within your integration middleware (e.g., SAP Cloud Platform Integration, SAP Data Services, or custom programs). Ensure that text fields are being correctly truncated or handled if they exceed SAP S/4HANA's limits.

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4

Implement data validation checks at the source or during the integration process to prevent oversized text from being sent to SAP S/4HANA. This might involve adding logic to truncate or reject records with excessively long text.

Example logic in integration tool (conceptual):
IF length(source_text_field) > MAX_SAP_LENGTH THEN
  target_text_field = SUBSTRING(source_text_field, 1, MAX_SAP_LENGTH)
ELSE
  target_text_field = source_text_field
END IF

5

Test the integration process with sample data, including edge cases with long text, to ensure the error is no longer occurring.

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Related Errors

5 related errors

SAP S/4HANA Error 5172: Invalid Text Length