How To Fix OM186 - Field length & exceeded

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: OM - Customizing Materialwirtschaft

• Message number: 186

• Message text: Field length & exceeded

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
eliminate characters from the selected account keys at certain
points. For example, 'D/03/02' will cause two characters to be
deleted from all selected account keys, beginning at position three.
The current length of the G/L account field (&V1&) may not be exceeded,
either explicitly or implicitly, by inclusion of <insert_string> or
<length_del_string>. Thus, for example, <start_position> of 'I/09/ABC'
is not allowed for a 10-character G/L account field, whereas 01 - 08 is
permissible.

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?

Please define the account operation in such a way that the length of
the G/L account field (&V1&) is not exceeded.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message OM186 - Field length & exceeded ?

  The SAP error message OM186, which states "Field length & exceeded," typically occurs when the data being entered into a field exceeds the defined length for that field in the SAP system. This can happen in various transactions or processes, particularly in modules like Materials Management (MM) or Sales and Distribution (SD).
  Cause:
  
  Data Entry Error: The user may have entered more characters than the field can accommodate.
  Configuration Issues: The field length may not be properly configured in the system settings.
  Data Import/Upload: When uploading data from external sources, the data may not conform to the field length restrictions.
  Custom Development: If there are custom programs or enhancements, they may not handle field lengths correctly.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Field Length: Verify the maximum allowed length for the field in question. This can usually be found in the data dictionary (SE11) or by checking the field properties in the relevant transaction.
  Data Validation: Ensure that the data being entered or uploaded conforms to the field length restrictions. If necessary, truncate or modify the data to fit.
  Configuration Review: If the field length needs to be changed, consult with your SAP Basis or ABAP team to see if it is possible to adjust the field length in the data dictionary.
  Error Handling in Custom Code: If the error arises from custom code, review the code to ensure it properly handles field lengths and includes validation checks.
  Testing: After making changes, conduct thorough testing to ensure that the issue is resolved and that no new issues arise.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may encounter this error in various transaction codes depending on the module (e.g., ME21N for purchase orders, VA01 for sales orders).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Field Length Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation for specific field lengths in the relevant modules.
  User Training: Provide training to users on data entry standards 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 reach out to SAP support for further assistance.