How To Fix P0402 - The characters '&' are not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: P0 - Messages for Transactions PE01, PE02 and PE03

• Message number: 402

• Message text: The characters '&' are not allowed

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message P0402 - The characters '&' are not allowed ?

  The SAP error message P0402, which states "The characters '&' are not allowed," typically occurs when there is an attempt to use special characters (in this case, the ampersand '&') in a field that does not accept them. This can happen in various contexts within SAP, such as when entering data in a transaction, creating a report, or working with master data.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Characters: The most common cause is the presence of invalid characters in a field that only accepts alphanumeric characters or specific symbols.
  Field Restrictions: Certain fields in SAP have restrictions on the types of characters that can be entered. The ampersand '&' is often not permitted in many contexts.
  Data Import/Upload: If you are importing or uploading data from an external source, the data may contain invalid characters that trigger this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Input Fields: Review the fields where the error occurs and ensure that you are not using the ampersand '&' or any other special characters that are not allowed.
  Data Validation: If you are entering data manually, validate the input to ensure it conforms to the expected format. If you are importing data, clean the data source to remove any invalid characters before the import.
  Use Alternative Characters: If you need to represent a concept that requires an ampersand, consider using the word "and" or another acceptable character.
  Error Handling: Implement error handling in your data processing logic to catch and address such issues before they cause an error in SAP.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the SAP Help Portal or specific module documentation for guidelines on valid characters for specific fields.
  Transaction Codes: If the error occurs in a specific transaction, check the transaction code documentation for any known issues or restrictions.
  SAP Notes: Search for relevant SAP Notes in the SAP Support Portal that may address this specific error or provide additional context.
  User Forums: Consider checking SAP community forums or user groups for discussions related to this error, as other users may have encountered and resolved similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.