How To Fix OM185 - Invalid string length: &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: OM - Customizing Materialwirtschaft

• Message number: 185

• Message text: Invalid string length: &

What causes this issue?

With the aid of account operations, you can insert or delete characters
into or from all selected account keys at specific points.
o With I/<start_position>/<insert_string>, it is possible to insert
characters into the selected account keys at a certain point. For
example, with 'I/03/W1' the string 'W1' is inserted into all
selected account keys at position three.
o With D/<start_position>/<length_del_string>, it is possible to
eliminated characters from the selected account keys at certain
points. For example, 'D/03/02' will cause it two characters to be
deleted from all selected account keys, beginning at position three.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

In the process, <length_del_string> is specified as two characters,
e.g. '03' for length three. The set of values is 01, .., <Length
of G/L account field>.

System Response

How to fix this error?

Please enter a valid number of characters to be deleted.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message OM185 - Invalid string length: & ?

  The SAP error message OM185 "Invalid string length: &" typically occurs in the context of configuration or data entry where a string input exceeds the allowed length for a particular field. This can happen in various modules, including Material Management (MM), Sales and Distribution (SD), or any other area where string inputs are required.
  Cause:
  
  Exceeding Field Length: The most common cause is that the input string (such as a material description, customer name, etc.) exceeds the maximum length defined for that field in the database or configuration.
  Incorrect Data Entry: Users may inadvertently enter more characters than allowed, especially if they are copying and pasting data from other sources.
  Configuration Issues: In some cases, the configuration settings for a particular field may not align with the expected input lengths.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Field Length: Review the field definition in the relevant transaction or configuration settings to determine the maximum allowed length. This can often be found in the data dictionary (SE11) or by checking the field properties in the relevant transaction.
  Trim Input: If the input string exceeds the allowed length, modify the input to ensure it fits within the defined limits. This may involve shortening descriptions or abbreviations.
  Validation: Implement validation checks in the input process to prevent users from entering strings that exceed the maximum length.
  Configuration Review: If the field length seems incorrect or too restrictive, consult with your SAP Basis or configuration team to see if adjustments can be made to accommodate longer strings if necessary.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on where the error occurs, you may be using various transaction codes (e.g., MM01 for material creation, VA01 for sales order creation).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. Sometimes, specific versions of SAP may have bugs that are documented in SAP Notes.
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on the correct data entry practices to minimize the occurrence of this error.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or refer to SAP documentation for further troubleshooting.