How To Fix AR185 - D-U-N-S number contains invalid characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: AR - SSRV function module messages

• Message number: 185

• Message text: D-U-N-S number contains invalid characters

What causes this issue?

A D-U-N-S number can only consist of the numbers 0 - 9 and 2 hyphens.
The first hyphen is in place of the 3rd digit and the second in place
of the 7th digit.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Example: 15-555-5550 correct
155-55-5550 wrong
D-U-N-S means <ZH>D</>ata <ZH>U</>niversal <ZH>N</>umbering
<ZH>S</>ystem

System Response

How to fix this error?

Enter the correct D-U-N-S number in the right format.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message AR185 - D-U-N-S number contains invalid characters ?

  The SAP error message AR185 indicates that the D-U-N-S (Data Universal Numbering System) number entered contains invalid characters. The D-U-N-S number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, and it is often used in various business processes, including vendor and customer management.
  Cause:
  The error typically arises due to one or more of the following reasons:
  
  Invalid Characters: The D-U-N-S number may contain characters that are not allowed, such as letters, special characters, or spaces. The D-U-N-S number should only consist of numeric digits.
  Incorrect Format: The D-U-N-S number may not be in the correct format or length. It should be exactly nine digits long.
  Data Entry Error: There may have been a typographical error during data entry.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the AR185 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  Check the D-U-N-S Number: Verify that the D-U-N-S number you are entering is correct. Ensure it consists only of numeric digits and is exactly nine digits long.
  Remove Invalid Characters: If there are any invalid characters (letters, spaces, or special characters), remove them and re-enter the D-U-N-S number.
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the correct D-U-N-S number, consult the relevant documentation or the organization that provided the number.
  Use Valid D-U-N-S Numbers: Ensure that the D-U-N-S number you are using is valid and has been issued by Dun & Bradstreet.
  Test in a Different Environment: If possible, try entering the D-U-N-S number in a different SAP environment (like a test system) to see if the issue persists.
  
  Related Information:
  
  D-U-N-S Number: A D-U-N-S number is a unique identifier for businesses, created by Dun & Bradstreet. It is widely used for business credit reporting and is often required for government contracts and grants.
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation or help resources for more information on handling vendor and customer data, including D-U-N-S numbers.
  SAP Support: If the issue persists after verifying the D-U-N-S number, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP Notes for any known issues related to this error message.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the AR185 error and successfully enter a valid D-U-N-S number in your SAP system.