How To Fix IDFB303 - The first character of the OCR payment reference is not valid

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IDFB - Payment Reference Numbers

• Message number: 303

• Message text: The first character of the OCR payment reference is not valid

What causes this issue?

The OCR payment reference needs to start either with the '+' or with the
'>' character.

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?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message IDFB303 - The first character of the OCR payment reference is not valid ?

  The SAP error message IDFB303, which states "The first character of the OCR payment reference is not valid," typically occurs in the context of processing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) payment references in SAP. This error indicates that the payment reference provided does not conform to the expected format, particularly regarding the first character.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Character: The first character of the OCR payment reference does not match the expected set of characters defined by the OCR format. For example, it may be a letter or symbol that is not allowed.
  Incorrect Configuration: The system may be configured to expect a specific format for payment references, and the input does not meet these criteria.
  Data Entry Error: There may have been a typographical error when entering the payment reference.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the Payment Reference: Review the payment reference being used and ensure that the first character is valid according to the OCR format specifications. Typically, the first character should be a digit or a specific letter as defined by your organization's OCR processing rules.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or your organization's guidelines regarding the valid formats for OCR payment references. This will help you understand what characters are acceptable.
  Correct the Input: If the payment reference is incorrect, modify it to ensure that it starts with a valid character.
  Configuration Review: If the issue persists, check the configuration settings in SAP related to OCR payment processing. Ensure that they align with the expected formats for your organization.
  Testing: After making corrections, test the payment reference again to ensure that it processes without errors.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide updates regarding OCR processing.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to payment processing in SAP, such as F110 (Automatic Payment Transactions) or FBZP (Maintain Payment Program).
  User Exits and Enhancements: If your organization has custom enhancements or user exits related to payment processing, review them to ensure they are not causing the issue.
  Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with SAP support for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the IDFB303 error in SAP.