How To Fix COM_SCHEME003 - Total length of numbering scheme cannot exceed &1 characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: COM_SCHEME - Messages on Numbering Schemes

• Message number: 003

• Message text: Total length of numbering scheme cannot exceed &1 characters

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message COM_SCHEME003 - Total length of numbering scheme cannot exceed &1 characters ?

  The SAP error message COM_SCHEME003 indicates that the total length of a numbering scheme exceeds the allowed limit. This error typically occurs when you are trying to create or modify a numbering scheme in the SAP system, and the total length of the scheme exceeds the maximum character limit defined in the system.
  Cause:
  The error is caused by the following:
  
  The numbering scheme you are trying to define has a total length that exceeds the maximum allowed length (denoted by &1 in the error message).
  This can happen if you are concatenating multiple elements (like prefixes, suffixes, or numeric sequences) that together exceed the defined limit.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Maximum Length: Determine the maximum length allowed for the numbering scheme in your SAP system. This can usually be found in the configuration settings for numbering schemes.
  
  
  Modify the Numbering Scheme:
  
  Reduce the length of the components of the numbering scheme. For example, if you are using a prefix or suffix, consider shortening it.
  If you are using a numeric sequence, ensure that the total length of the numeric part does not exceed the limit when combined with any prefixes or suffixes.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration: 
  
  Go to the relevant configuration transaction (e.g., SPRO) and navigate to the section where numbering schemes are defined. Review the settings to ensure they comply with the length restrictions.
  
  
  
  Test Changes: After making adjustments, test the numbering scheme to ensure that it now adheres to the length restrictions and that the error no longer occurs.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like SPRO (to access the configuration settings) or COMC (to manage numbering schemes) depending on your specific SAP module.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation or your organization's internal documentation for specific guidelines on numbering schemes and their configurations.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might provide additional insights or updates regarding this error message.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the COM_SCHEME003 error and successfully define your numbering scheme within the allowed character limits.