Informix Error -2031: The WORDWRAP attribute can only be specified for CHAR, VARCHAR and TEXT fields.

Cause and resolution

The WORDWRAP attribute can only be specified for CHAR, VARCHAR and TEXT fields.

This PRINT statement applies the WORDWRAP function to a value that is not character data. Check that the field named is the one that you intended, and check the punctuation of the rest of the statement.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-2031 fires when the WORDWRAP attribute is applied to a field that isn't CHAR, VARCHAR, or TEXT — per the official guidance, WORDWRAP is restricted to those character-based types.

WORDWRAP specified for a non-character field (numeric, date, etc.), per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Verify the correct field name is referenced, per the official guidance, in case WORDWRAP was meant for a different, character-typed field.
Check the statement's syntax, per the official guidance, and remove WORDWRAP if the field genuinely isn't CHAR/VARCHAR/TEXT.

Examples

WORDWRAP on a non-character field

ATTRIBUTES
  total = order_total, WORDWRAP;
-- -2031: order_total is DECIMAL, not CHAR/VARCHAR/TEXT

Corrected

ATTRIBUTES
  notes = order_notes, WORDWRAP;

Diagnostic Checks

Check the declared type of any field using WORDWRAP, and confirm it's CHAR/VARCHAR/TEXT.

Related Errors / Related Topics

No closely related error codes are cross-referenced for -2031 in this set yet.

WORDWRAP was applied to a non-character field — confirm the field name, or remove WORDWRAP if the type genuinely doesn't support it.