How To Fix FINS_FI_POSTING_IF018 - Material number in item &1 must not be longer than 40 characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FINS_FI_POSTING_IF - Posting Interface Messages

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Material number in item &1 must not be longer than 40 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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FINS_FI_POSTING_IF018 - Material number in item &1 must not be longer than 40 characters ?

  The SAP error message FINS_FI_POSTING_IF018 indicates that the material number in the specified item exceeds the maximum allowed length of 40 characters. This error typically occurs during financial postings or when trying to create or update documents that involve material numbers.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the material number being used in the transaction exceeds the character limit set by SAP. In SAP, material numbers are usually defined with a maximum length, and if the input exceeds this limit, the system will throw this error.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Material Number Length: Verify the material number you are trying to use. Ensure that it does not exceed 40 characters. If it does, you will need to truncate or modify the material number to fit within the limit.
  
  
  Update the Input Data: If the material number is being pulled from a data source (like an interface or a file), ensure that the source data is correctly formatted and does not exceed the character limit.
  
  
  Review Custom Code: If you are using custom programs or enhancements, check the code to ensure that it is not inadvertently generating or passing material numbers longer than 40 characters.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review the relevant SAP documentation or configuration settings to understand the constraints on material numbers in your specific SAP environment.
  
  
  Test Changes: After making the necessary adjustments, test the transaction again to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Material Master Configuration: The length of material numbers can be influenced by the configuration in the material master settings. You may want to check the settings in transaction OMN1 (for material number length) or related configuration transactions.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this issue or provide additional guidance.
  
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to material management and financial postings, such as MM01 (Create Material), FB50 (G/L Account Document Entry), etc.
  
  
  User Exits and BAdIs: If you are using user exits or BAdIs that manipulate material numbers, ensure they are correctly implemented to respect the character limit.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully process your transactions in SAP.