How To Fix DS015 - Characters '&' and '&' are not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DS - Messages for Editing Text Elements in ABAP Programs

• Message number: 015

• Message text: Characters '&' and '&' are not allowed

What causes this issue?

You attempted to create/edit or execute a program. However, the name
you entered contains illegal characters or characters which could lead
to problems under certain circumstances.

System Response

Invalid characters in program names:

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

Period,, .
Comma,, ,
Single quotation mark,, '
Double quotation marks,, "
Opening parenthesis,, (
Closing parenthesis,, )
Equals sign,, =
Blank
Asterisk *
Problematic characters in program names:
Percent,,%
Underscore,,_
The system can process programs containing the characters <LB>%</> or
<LB>_</> but you should be aware that both are wildcards for SELECT (%
represents any number of characters, while _ represents just one
character). This means that, when selecting programs (through the
program directory, generic copying or generic deleting), too much data
could be selected.

How to fix this error?

Choose another program name or remember the problems that the use of
<LB>_</> or <LB>%</> may cause.
If you do not know the program name, search the program directory by
selecting <LS>Environment -> Program directory</>.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DS015 - Characters '&' and '&' are not allowed ?

  The SAP error message DS015, which states that "Characters '&' and '&' are not allowed," typically occurs when you are trying to enter or process data that includes the ampersand character (&). This character is often reserved for special purposes in SAP, such as indicating variables or placeholders in certain contexts, which is why its use can lead to errors.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Characters: The presence of the & character in fields where it is not allowed, such as in text fields, names, or identifiers.
  Data Entry: Users may inadvertently enter the & character when filling out forms or inputting data.
  Data Import: If you are importing data from external sources (like Excel or CSV files), the data may contain & characters that are not valid in the target SAP fields.
  
  Solution:
  
  Remove or Replace the Character: Check the input data for any occurrences of the & character and remove or replace it with a valid character.
  Validation: Implement validation checks in your data entry forms to prevent users from entering invalid characters.
  Data Cleansing: If the error arises from imported data, perform data cleansing to remove or replace invalid characters before importing.
  Review Field Requirements: Consult the documentation or field requirements for the specific transaction or module you are working with to ensure that you are adhering to the allowed character set.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the SAP Help Portal or specific module documentation for guidelines on valid characters for different fields.
  Transaction Codes: If you encounter this error in a specific transaction, check the transaction code and its associated data entry screens for any restrictions on character usage.
  User Training: Provide training for users on the correct data entry practices to minimize the occurrence of such errors.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.