How To Fix IDFB304 - The OCR payment reference contains invalid characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IDFB - Payment Reference Numbers

• Message number: 304

• Message text: The OCR payment reference contains invalid characters

What causes this issue?

The OCR payment reference must contain characters of the string '+
<>1234567890 ' only.

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 IDFB304 - The OCR payment reference contains invalid characters ?

  The SAP error message IDFB304, which states "The OCR payment reference contains invalid characters," typically occurs when the payment reference provided in an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) payment file contains characters that are not allowed or recognized by the system. This can happen in various contexts, such as when processing incoming payment files or when generating outgoing payment files.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Characters: The payment reference may contain special characters, spaces, or symbols that are not permitted. For example, characters like #, @, !, or even certain punctuation marks may be considered invalid.
  Length Restrictions: The payment reference may exceed the maximum length allowed by the system.
  Format Issues: The format of the payment reference may not conform to the expected structure (e.g., incorrect number of digits, wrong prefix).
  Data Entry Errors: Manual entry errors when inputting the payment reference can lead to invalid characters being included.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the Payment Reference: Review the payment reference for any invalid characters or formatting issues. Ensure that it only contains alphanumeric characters and any other characters that are explicitly allowed by your organization's payment processing rules.
  Trim Whitespace: Remove any leading or trailing spaces that may inadvertently be included in the payment reference.
  Validate Length: Ensure that the payment reference does not exceed the maximum length specified in your SAP configuration.
  Correct Format: Make sure the payment reference adheres to the required format. If there are specific rules for the structure of the reference, ensure compliance.
  Update Configuration: If the payment reference needs to accommodate certain characters or formats, consider updating the configuration in SAP to allow for these changes, if feasible.
  Test with Sample Data: After making corrections, test the payment reference with sample data to ensure that it processes correctly without triggering the error.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation for details on OCR payment processing and the specific requirements for payment references.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like FB60 (Enter Incoming Invoice) or F110 (Automatic Payment Transactions) to test and validate payment references.
  User Exits and BAdIs: If you have custom developments, check for any user exits or BAdIs that might be affecting how payment references are processed.
  Consult with SAP Support: If the issue persists after troubleshooting, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing the IDFB304 error in SAP.