Error
Error Code:
550
SAP S/4HANA Error 550: Invalid Partition Column
Description
This error indicates that a specified column intended for data partitioning within an SAP S/4HANA data model or report is not valid. It commonly occurs when defining or modifying data structures in analytical components like BW or HANA views, preventing data from being correctly organized or queried.
Error Message
ERR_RS_PARTITION_INVALID_COLUMN
Known Causes
4 known causesIncorrect Column Type
The selected column's data type is incompatible with the chosen partitioning method (e.g., text column for numeric range partitioning).
Non-existent Column
The specified column name does not exist in the underlying data source or table, or it is misspelled in the partitioning configuration.
Missing Authorization
The user or system performing the partitioning operation lacks the necessary permissions to access or use the specified column.
Metadata Inconsistency
Metadata describing the column is outdated or corrupted, leading to a mismatch between the column definition and its actual properties.
Solutions
3 solutions available1. Verify Partition Column Data Type and Existence medium
Ensures the partition column exists and has a compatible data type for partitioning.
1
Identify the table and the column causing the error. This information is usually available in the detailed error logs or the context where the error occurred (e.g., during a data load, report execution, or table creation).
2
Connect to your SAP HANA database using a SQL client (e.g., SAP HANA Studio, hdbsql, or a generic SQL client).
3
Execute a query to check the existence and data type of the suspected partition column in the target table. Replace `YOUR_SCHEMA` and `YOUR_TABLE` with the actual schema and table names, and `PARTITION_COLUMN` with the column name.
SELECT COLUMN_NAME, DATA_TYPE FROM "SYS_DI"."TABLE_COLUMNS" WHERE SCHEMA_NAME = 'YOUR_SCHEMA' AND TABLE_NAME = 'YOUR_TABLE' AND COLUMN_NAME = 'PARTITION_COLUMN';4
Analyze the results. The `DATA_TYPE` for a partition column is typically an integer, timestamp, date, or string type. If the column does not exist or has an incompatible data type (e.g., a large object type like BLOB/CLOB, or a complex user-defined type), this is the root cause.
5
If the column is missing, you may need to add it to the table. If the data type is incompatible, you might need to convert it or choose a different column for partitioning. This often involves altering the table structure, which should be done with extreme caution and thorough testing, especially in a production environment.
ALTER TABLE "YOUR_SCHEMA"."YOUR_TABLE" ADD (PARTITION_COLUMN <appropriate_data_type>);6
If you are creating a new partitioned table, ensure the column you specify in the `PARTITION BY` clause exists in the table definition and has a supported data type.
CREATE COLUMN TABLE "YOUR_SCHEMA"."YOUR_TABLE" ( ... , PARTITION_COLUMN <supported_data_type>, ... ) PARTITION BY RANGE (PARTITION_COLUMN) ( ... );2. Review Partitioning Strategy for Table Creation/Modification medium
Corrects incorrect partitioning definitions during table creation or alteration.
1
Locate the `CREATE TABLE` or `ALTER TABLE` statement that defines or modifies the partitioning for the affected table. This script is often found in development or deployment packages.
2
Examine the `PARTITION BY` clause. Ensure that the column specified is correctly spelled, exists in the table, and has a data type suitable for the chosen partitioning type (e.g., RANGE, HASH, LIST).
Example: PARTITION BY RANGE (ORDER_DATE) (PARTITION '2023-01-01' <= ORDER_DATE < '2023-02-01', ...)3
For RANGE partitioning, ensure the boundary values are consistent with the data type of the partition column. For HASH partitioning, the column should ideally be a numeric or string type. For LIST partitioning, the column should be of a discrete type.
4
If the error occurred during a table creation, correct the `CREATE TABLE` statement with a valid partition column and execute it again. If it's during an `ALTER TABLE` statement to add partitioning, ensure the column exists and is compatible.
Example of correcting a CREATE TABLE statement:
CREATE COLUMN TABLE "MY_SCHEMA"."SALES_DATA" (
SALE_ID INT PRIMARY KEY,
SALE_DATE DATE,
AMOUNT DECIMAL(10,2)
) PARTITION BY RANGE (SALE_DATE) (
PARTITION '2023-01-01' <= SALE_DATE < '2023-02-01' VALUES LESS THAN ('2023-02-01'),
PARTITION '2023-02-01' <= SALE_DATE < '2023-03-01' VALUES LESS THAN ('2023-03-01'),
PARTITION OTHERS
);5
If you are adding partitioning to an existing table, ensure the chosen column is not a LOB type or an unsupported complex type. You might need to create a new table with the correct partitioning and migrate data if the existing column is unsuitable.
Example of adding partitioning to an existing table:
ALTER TABLE "MY_SCHEMA"."EXISTING_TABLE" ADD PARTITION BY HASH (CUSTOMER_ID) PARTITIONS 4;3. Investigate System Tables and Metadata Corruption advanced
Addresses potential issues with HANA's internal metadata related to partitioning.
1
This is a more advanced troubleshooting step, usually considered if the previous solutions don't resolve the issue, suggesting potential corruption in HANA's internal catalog or metadata related to partitioning.
2
Connect to your SAP HANA system and access the system views related to table and partition definitions. The `SYS.TABLES` and `SYS.PARTITIONS` views are primary targets.
SELECT * FROM "SYS"."TABLES" WHERE TABLE_NAME = 'YOUR_TABLE' AND SCHEMA_NAME = 'YOUR_SCHEMA';
SELECT * FROM "SYS"."PARTITIONS" WHERE TABLE_NAME = 'YOUR_TABLE' AND SCHEMA_NAME = 'YOUR_SCHEMA';3
Compare the information in these system views with the actual table definition and the intended partitioning scheme. Look for inconsistencies, missing entries, or incorrect references.
4
If inconsistencies are found, it might indicate a deeper issue within the HANA database. In such scenarios, it is highly recommended to raise an incident with SAP Support.
5
As a last resort and under strict guidance from SAP Support, you might consider rebuilding the table or, in extreme cases, a database restore from a known good backup. This is a disruptive operation and requires careful planning and execution.