How To Fix 29805 - Item record must be preceded by a header record

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 29 - Bills of Material

• Message number: 805

• Message text: Item record must be preceded by a header record

What causes this issue?

Record types in a sequential file must be in a specific sequence: item
records (record type 2) must be preceded by the header record (record
type 1) to which the item records relate.
In this sequential file, the record types are not in the correct
sequence.

How to fix this error?

INCLUDE AD_NA_BATCH

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 29805 - Item record must be preceded by a header record ?

  The SAP error message "29805 Item record must be preceded by a header record" typically occurs in the context of data uploads or processing where the system expects a specific sequence of records. This error indicates that the system encountered an item record (such as a line item in a document) without a corresponding header record (such as the main document or order header).
  Cause:
  
  Missing Header Record: The most common cause is that the item record is being processed without a preceding header record. In SAP, item records are usually associated with a header record that contains general information about the document.
  Incorrect File Format: If you are uploading data from an external file (like a CSV or Excel file), the format may not be correct, leading to the system not recognizing the header record.
  Data Entry Error: Manual data entry errors can also lead to this issue, where an item is entered without its corresponding header.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Data Sequence: Ensure that the data being uploaded or processed follows the correct sequence. Each item record must be preceded by its corresponding header record.
  Review Upload File: If you are using a file to upload data, check the file to ensure that it contains the necessary header records before the item records. The header should be defined correctly and should precede any item entries.
  Use Transaction Codes: If you are using a specific transaction code (like ME21N for creating purchase orders), ensure that you are following the correct steps to create the document, starting with the header.
  Debugging: If you are working with custom programs or BAPIs, check the logic to ensure that header records are being created before item records are processed.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for the specific transaction or process you are working with to ensure compliance with the expected data structure.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that deal with document creation, such as ME21N (Purchase Order), VA01 (Sales Order), etc.
  Data Structure: Understand the data structure for the specific document type you are working with, including mandatory fields for both header and item records.
  Testing: If possible, test the process in a development or quality assurance environment to identify the exact point of failure.
  
  By ensuring that the header records are correctly defined and precede the item records, you should be able to resolve the error message 29805 in SAP.