DDLS488 - Row & column & contains a non-7-bit ASCII character '&'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DDLS - For DDL source handling

• Message number: 488

• Message text: Row & column & contains a non-7-bit ASCII character '&'

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DDLS488 - Row & column & contains a non-7-bit ASCII character '&' ?

  The SAP error message DDLS488 indicates that there is a non-7-bit ASCII character in a specific row and column of a data object, such as a table or a structure. This error typically arises when you are trying to create or modify database objects, and the system encounters characters that are not part of the standard ASCII character set.
  Cause:
  
  Non-ASCII Characters: The presence of characters that are outside the 7-bit ASCII range (0-127). This can include special characters, accented letters, or symbols that are not supported in the context of the database object.
  Data Import/Export Issues: If data is being imported from an external source, it may contain characters that are not compatible with the SAP system's expected character set.
  Incorrect Encoding: The data might be encoded in a format that includes characters outside the 7-bit ASCII range, such as UTF-8 or other multi-byte encodings.
  
  Solution:
  
  Identify the Character: Check the specified row and column in the error message to identify the non-ASCII character. You may need to inspect the data manually or use a text editor that can display character codes.
  Replace or Remove the Character: Once identified, you can either replace the non-ASCII character with an appropriate ASCII character or remove it entirely if it is not necessary.
  Data Validation: Implement data validation checks to ensure that only 7-bit ASCII characters are allowed in the relevant fields. This can be done through input validation in your application or by using data cleansing techniques before importing data.
  Encoding Conversion: If you are importing data, ensure that the data is properly encoded in a format that is compatible with SAP. Convert the data to a suitable encoding (like ISO-8859-1) that supports the characters you need while remaining within the 7-bit ASCII range.
  Use SAP Tools: Utilize SAP tools or transaction codes (like SE11 for data dictionary objects) to check and modify the structure or data definitions that may be causing the issue.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation for guidelines on character sets and encoding.
  Data Dictionary: Use transaction SE11 to view and modify the data dictionary objects where the error is occurring.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to character encoding and the DDLS488 error.
  Testing: After making changes, test the data import or object creation process again to ensure that the error has been resolved.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the DDLS488 error and ensure that your data complies with the required character set.