How To Fix LCM_COMMON046 - External contact type &1 not valid

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: LCM_COMMON - Messages for Legal Content Management

• Message number: 046

• Message text: External contact type &1 not valid

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.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message LCM_COMMON046 - External contact type &1 not valid ?

  The SAP error message LCM_COMMON046 indicates that there is an issue with the external contact type specified in your system. This error typically arises in the context of SAP applications that deal with customer relationship management (CRM) or logistics, where external contacts are managed.
  Cause:
  The error message "External contact type &1 not valid" suggests that the external contact type you are trying to use (represented by &1) is not recognized by the system. This could be due to several reasons:
  
  Incorrect Configuration: The external contact type may not be configured correctly in the system.
  Missing Master Data: The external contact type may not exist in the master data or may have been deleted.
  Typographical Error: There could be a typo in the external contact type you are trying to use.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the specified external contact type.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Go to the relevant configuration settings in SAP (usually in SPRO) and verify that the external contact type is defined correctly.
  Ensure that the external contact type is active and properly set up.
  
  
  
  Verify Master Data:
  
  Check the master data for external contacts to ensure that the contact type you are trying to use exists.
  If it does not exist, you may need to create it or restore it if it was deleted.
  
  
  
  Correct Typographical Errors:
  
  Double-check the input for any typos or incorrect entries. Ensure that you are using the correct external contact type.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access and use the external contact type. You may need to consult with your SAP security team.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review any relevant SAP documentation or notes related to external contact types for additional guidance.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If you have access to debugging tools, you can trace the program execution to identify where the error is being triggered.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on your SAP version and configuration, you may use transaction codes like BP (Business Partner) to manage external contacts.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP support team for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue related to the external contact type in your SAP system.