Error
Error Code:
5202
SAP S/4HANA Error 5202: Text Decomposition Failure
Description
This error indicates that the system failed to convert a piece of text into its decomposed form, which is often required for indexing, searching, or language-specific processing within SAP S/4H4NA. It typically occurs when saving or processing data in text-heavy fields, preventing the successful storage or manipulation of the information.
Error Message
ERR_TEXT_COMMON_DECOMPOSED_FAILED
Known Causes
3 known causesInvalid Characters or Encoding
The text being processed contains characters that are not supported by the system's character set or current encoding, preventing successful decomposition.
System Configuration Mismatch
Incorrect or conflicting language settings, text processing configurations, or character set parameters within the SAP S/4HANA system.
Corrupted or Malformed Data
The input text data itself is structurally unsound or contains hidden control characters that interfere with the decomposition process.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Restart SAP Application Servers easy
A quick restart of the application servers can resolve transient issues causing text decomposition failures.
1
Log in to your SAP S/4HANA system with administrative privileges.
2
Navigate to transaction SM51.
3
Select all application servers (usually by highlighting the first and pressing Shift+End).
4
From the 'Server' menu, choose 'Restart' and then 'Local'. Confirm the restart when prompted.
5
Monitor the application servers in SM51 to ensure they come back online successfully.
2. Verify and Correct Text Data in Relevant Tables medium
This solution addresses potential data corruption or invalid characters in text fields that might be causing decomposition errors.
1
Identify the specific SAP application or transaction that is triggering Error 5202. This will help narrow down the tables to check.
2
Consult SAP Notes related to Error 5202 for your specific S/4HANA version and the affected module. These notes often point to specific tables or data structures.
3
Use transaction SE16 or SE16N to inspect the content of relevant text fields in the identified tables. Look for unusual characters, control characters, or excessively long strings that might not be properly handled.
4
If invalid data is found, use transaction SE16N with appropriate authorization to correct or delete the problematic entries. **Caution:** Always back up data before making direct modifications.
5
For a more programmatic approach, you can use SQL queries to identify records with potentially problematic text data. For example, to find records with non-printable ASCII characters in a text field (replace `your_table` and `your_text_field` accordingly):
SELECT * FROM your_table WHERE your_text_field LIKE '%[\x00-\x08]%' OR your_text_field LIKE '%[\x0E-\x1F]%' OR your_text_field LIKE '%\x7F%';6
After data correction, restart the application servers (as per Solution 1) to ensure changes are reflected.
3. Check and Update SAP Kernel and Support Packages advanced
Outdated kernel or missing support packages can lead to bugs in text processing, including decomposition.
1
Determine the current SAP kernel version and the level of installed support packages for your SAP S/4HANA system. This can be done using transaction SM51 or by checking the `disp+work` executable version.
2
Consult the SAP Support Portal (launchpad.support.sap.com) for the latest recommended SAP kernel patch levels and support packages for your specific SAP S/4HANA version.
3
If updates are available and recommended, plan for a system downtime. This involves a coordinated effort with the SAP Basis team.
4
Apply the necessary SAP kernel updates and support packages using the Software Update Manager (SUM) tool. This is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution.
5
After the updates are successfully applied, perform a full system restart and thoroughly test the functionality that previously triggered Error 5202.