How To Fix MDG_HDB_SEARCH042 - Special characters not allowed in &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MDG_HDB_SEARCH -

• Message number: 042

• Message text: Special characters not allowed in &1

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MDG_HDB_SEARCH042 - Special characters not allowed in &1 ?

  The SAP error message MDG_HDB_SEARCH042 indicates that special characters are not allowed in a specific field or parameter, which is represented by &1. This error typically occurs in the context of Master Data Governance (MDG) when performing searches or data entry that involves fields where only alphanumeric characters are permitted.
  Cause:
  The error is triggered when a user attempts to input or search for data that includes special characters (such as @, #, $, %, &, etc.) in a field that does not accept them. This can happen in various scenarios, such as:
  
  Searching for master data using a search term that includes special characters.
  Entering data into a form or field that has validation rules restricting the use of special characters.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MDG_HDB_SEARCH042 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify the Field: Check the specific field or parameter indicated by &1 in the error message. This will help you understand where the issue is occurring.
  
  
  Remove Special Characters: If you are entering data, ensure that you only use alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) and avoid any special characters. If you are performing a search, modify your search term to exclude special characters.
  
  
  Validation Rules: Review the validation rules for the field in question. If you are a developer or administrator, you may want to check the configuration settings in the MDG system to understand why certain characters are restricted.
  
  
  User Training: If users frequently encounter this error, consider providing training or documentation on the acceptable formats for data entry and search terms.
  
  
  System Configuration: If the requirement for special characters is valid for your business process, you may need to adjust the system configuration to allow them. This would typically involve changes to the data model or validation rules, which should be done carefully to avoid introducing data integrity issues.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or updates related to this error message. SAP frequently releases notes that provide fixes or workarounds for specific problems.
  MDG Documentation: Review the official SAP MDG documentation for guidelines on data entry and search functionalities.
  Community Forums: Engage with the SAP Community or forums where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and ensure that data entry and search operations in your SAP MDG system proceed smoothly.