How To Fix 5G838 - Either First name or Initials must be entered

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5G - HR: Messages for Britain

• Message number: 838

• Message text: Either First name or Initials must be entered

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5G838 - Either First name or Initials must be entered ?

  The SAP error message 5G838, which states "Either First name or Initials must be entered," typically occurs when you are trying to create or update a user profile or personnel record in SAP, and the system requires either a first name or initials to be filled in.
  Cause:
  This error is triggered when the required fields for a user's name are not properly filled out. Specifically, it indicates that the system expects at least one of the following fields to be populated:
  
  First Name
  Initials
  
  If both fields are left blank, the system will not allow you to proceed, as these fields are mandatory for user identification and record-keeping.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should:
  
  Check the User Profile or Personnel Record: Navigate to the relevant transaction (e.g., SU01 for user maintenance or PA30 for personnel administration).
  Fill in the Required Fields: Ensure that either the "First Name" or "Initials" field is filled in. You can enter the user's first name or their initials, depending on your organization's naming conventions.
  Save Changes: After entering the required information, save the changes to the user profile or personnel record.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Common transaction codes where this error might occur include:
  
  SU01: User Maintenance
  PA30: Maintain HR Master Data
  
  
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to user profiles or personnel records.
  Data Validation: If you are importing data or using a batch process, ensure that your data source includes valid entries for the first name or initials fields.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes or the SAP Support Portal for any updates or patches related to this error message, as there may be specific fixes or recommendations based on your SAP version.
  
  By ensuring that the required fields are filled out correctly, you should be able to resolve the error and proceed with your tasks in SAP.