How To Fix EA258 - External segment name & cannot be interpreted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: EA - IDoc Basis Messages

• Message number: 258

• Message text: External segment name & cannot be interpreted

What causes this issue?

The external segment name (the segment definition) cannot be shown on
an internal segment type of a particular version. The system,
therefore, does not know how many fields the
<DS:GLOS.Segment>segment</> consists of and which fields these are.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message EA258 - External segment name & cannot be interpreted ?

  The SAP error message EA258, which states "External segment name & cannot be interpreted," typically occurs in the context of SAP's data processing, particularly when dealing with external segments in IDoc processing or similar scenarios. This error indicates that the system is unable to recognize or interpret the specified external segment name.
  Causes:
  
  Incorrect Segment Name: The external segment name provided may be misspelled or not defined in the system.
  Configuration Issues: The IDoc or message type configuration may be incorrect or incomplete, leading to the system not recognizing the segment.
  Version Mismatch: There may be a mismatch between the IDoc version being used and the expected version in the system.
  Missing Definitions: The external segment may not be defined in the relevant IDoc type or message type in the SAP system.
  Transport Issues: If the IDoc definitions were transported from another system, there may have been issues during the transport process.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Segment Name: Verify that the external segment name is correctly spelled and matches the definitions in the system.
  Review IDoc Configuration: Go to transaction WE30 (IDoc Types) and WE81 (Message Types) to ensure that the segment is correctly defined and associated with the appropriate message type.
  Check Version Compatibility: Ensure that the IDoc version being used is compatible with the definitions in the SAP system.
  Define Missing Segments: If the segment is indeed missing, you may need to create or define it in the IDoc type using transaction WE31 (Segment Types).
  Transport Check: If the issue arose after a transport, check the transport logs for any errors and ensure that all necessary objects were transported correctly.
  Debugging: If the issue persists, consider debugging the IDoc processing to identify where the error occurs and gather more context.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  WE30: IDoc Types
  WE31: Segment Types
  WE81: Message Types
  WE02: IDoc Display
  WE19: IDoc Test Tool
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for IDocs and external segments for more detailed information on configuration and troubleshooting.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  
  If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP Basis or technical team for further investigation.