How To Fix CATS_ARCH008 - Enter a valid External Employee ID

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CATS_ARCH -

• Message number: 008

• Message text: Enter a valid External Employee ID

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 CATS_ARCH008 - Enter a valid External Employee ID ?

  The SAP error message CATS_ARCH008: Enter a valid External Employee ID typically occurs in the context of the Cross-Application Time Sheet (CATS) module when a user attempts to archive or process time data for an employee whose External Employee ID is either missing, incorrect, or not recognized by the system.
  Causes:
  
  Invalid External Employee ID: The ID entered does not exist in the system or is incorrectly formatted.
  Missing Data: The External Employee ID may not have been assigned to the employee in the relevant infotypes (e.g., IT0001, IT0002).
  Data Synchronization Issues: There may be a delay or issue in synchronizing employee data between different systems (e.g., between HR and CATS).
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary permissions to access the employee's data.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Verify External Employee ID:
  
  Check the External Employee ID for typos or formatting errors.
  Ensure that the ID corresponds to an active employee in the system.
  
  
  
  Check Employee Master Data:
  
  Go to the employee's master data (transaction code PA20 or PA30) and verify that the External Employee ID is correctly maintained in the relevant infotypes.
  If the ID is missing, you may need to add it in the appropriate infotype (usually IT0001 or IT0002).
  
  
  
  Data Synchronization:
  
  If your organization uses multiple systems, ensure that the employee data is synchronized correctly across all systems.
  Check for any pending data updates or batch jobs that may need to be executed.
  
  
  
  User Authorization:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the employee's time data.
  Consult with your SAP security team if you suspect authorization issues.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or notes related to CATS and External Employee IDs for any specific configurations or known issues.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP Notes for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as PA20 (Display HR Master Data), PA30 (Maintain HR Master Data), and CAT2 (Time Sheet: Maintain).
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to CATS and External Employee ID issues for any patches or updates that may address the problem.
  User Manuals: Refer to user manuals or training materials for CATS to understand the proper procedures for entering and managing employee time data.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the CATS_ARCH008 error and ensure that the External Employee ID is valid and correctly maintained in the system.