How To Fix PO167 - Character number & is not defined

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PO - Spooler message

• Message number: 167

• Message text: Character number & is not defined

What causes this issue?

The specified character number does not exist.

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?

If the number has been typed correctly, confirm this by pressing Enter,
save any changes and return to the main menu of the transaction.
Choose the menu option 'Character' and add the corresponding character.
You can then use the character in the character set editor.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PO167 - Character number & is not defined ?

  The SAP error message PO167 ("Character number & is not defined") typically occurs when there is an issue with the character set or encoding in the SAP system. This error can arise in various contexts, such as when processing purchase orders, invoices, or other documents that involve text fields.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Character Encoding: The character number referenced in the error message is not recognized by the system, which may be due to an unsupported character set or encoding.
  Data Entry Issues: If a user manually enters data that includes special characters or symbols not defined in the system's character set, this error can occur.
  Custom Development: If there are custom programs or enhancements that handle text data, they may not properly account for certain characters.
  Transport Issues: If data has been transported from one system to another (e.g., from development to production), character encoding issues may arise if the systems are not aligned in terms of character sets.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Character Encoding: Ensure that the character encoding settings in the SAP system are correctly configured. This can usually be found in the system settings or user profile settings.
  Data Validation: Review the data being entered or processed to ensure that it does not contain unsupported characters. This may involve cleaning up the data or using a different input method.
  Custom Code Review: If the error is occurring in a custom program, review the code to ensure that it properly handles character encoding and does not attempt to process unsupported characters.
  SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error. There may be patches or updates available that resolve the issue.
  System Upgrade: If the issue persists and is related to outdated character sets, consider upgrading the SAP system to a more recent version that supports a wider range of characters.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for information on character sets and encoding.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered and resolved similar issues.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like SE38 (ABAP Editor) or SE80 (Object Navigator) to analyze custom programs that may be causing the issue.
  User Profile Settings: Check user profile settings (transaction SU01) to ensure that the correct language and character set are configured for the user experiencing the error.
  
  If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, it may be necessary to involve SAP support for further assistance.