How To Fix FC317 - Length 0 not permitted if followed by greater lengths

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FC - FI configuration error messages

• Message number: 317

• Message text: Length 0 not permitted if followed by greater lengths

What causes this issue?

Length 0 may only appear as the final length of a length definition,
thus length combinations such as the following are not permitted:

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

3 - 0 - 4
0 - 3 - 3 - 2
2 - 0 - 2 - 0

System Response

How to fix this error?

Define lengths such as:
2 - 3 - 4
2 - 2 - 2 - 3

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FC317 - Length 0 not permitted if followed by greater lengths ?

  The SAP error message FC317 ("Length 0 not permitted if followed by greater lengths") typically occurs in the context of financial accounting or when dealing with document processing in SAP. This error indicates that there is an issue with the length of a field in a financial document or transaction that is expected to have a certain length but is currently set to zero.
  Cause:
  
  
  Field Length Mismatch: The error usually arises when a field that is expected to have a certain length (greater than zero) is found to be empty (length 0). This can happen if:
  
  Required fields are not filled in during data entry.
  There is a configuration issue in the data structure or table definitions.
  There is a problem with the data being imported or uploaded into the system.
  
  
  
  Data Entry Errors: Users may inadvertently leave mandatory fields blank, leading to this error when the system tries to process the document.
  
  
  Custom Development: If there are custom programs or enhancements in place, they may not be handling the data correctly, leading to this error.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Required Fields: Review the transaction or document you are trying to process and ensure that all mandatory fields are filled in correctly. Pay special attention to fields that are expected to have a length greater than zero.
  
  
  Data Validation: Implement data validation checks in your data entry processes to ensure that users cannot submit forms with empty required fields.
  
  
  Review Configuration: If the error persists, check the configuration settings related to the document type or transaction. Ensure that the field lengths are correctly defined in the relevant data structures.
  
  
  Debugging Custom Code: If there are custom programs or enhancements, debug the code to identify where the length check is failing. Ensure that the logic correctly handles cases where fields may be empty.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to the specific transaction or module you are working with. There may be known issues or patches available.
  
  
  SAP Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. Provide them with details of the error, the context in which it occurs, and any relevant transaction codes.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on the context, you may be using transaction codes like FB01 (Post Document), FB50 (G/L Account Document), or others related to financial postings.
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to error FC317 in the SAP Support Portal. There may be specific notes addressing this error with additional guidance or fixes.
  Field Definitions: Review the field definitions in the relevant data dictionary (SE11) to understand the expected lengths and constraints.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the FC317 error and implement a solution to resolve it.