How To Fix POWL014 - Special characters are not allowed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: POWL - Internal Messages used in generic personal object work list

• Message number: 014

• Message text: Special 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.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message POWL014 - Special characters are not allowed ?

  The SAP error message POWL014 ("Special characters are not allowed") typically occurs in the context of the SAP Portal or when using the SAP Business Client, particularly when dealing with Personal Object Worklist (POWL) or similar applications. This error indicates that the input provided contains special characters that are not permitted in the specific field or context.
  Cause:
  
  Input Validation: The system has strict validation rules for certain fields, and special characters (like @, #, $, %, &, etc.) are not allowed.
  Field Configuration: The field may be configured to accept only alphanumeric characters, and any deviation from this will trigger the error.
  Data Entry Error: Users may inadvertently enter special characters while typing or copying and pasting data.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Input: Review the input data for any special characters. Remove or replace them with valid characters (usually alphanumeric).
  Field Requirements: Refer to the documentation or field requirements to understand what characters are allowed.
  User Training: Educate users on the acceptable formats for data entry to prevent future occurrences of this error.
  System Configuration: If you have administrative access, check the configuration of the field in question to see if it can be adjusted to allow certain special characters if appropriate.
  Error Handling: Implement error handling in the application to provide clearer feedback to users about what characters are not allowed.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Documentation: Review the SAP Help Portal for guidelines on data entry and field validation rules.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance, especially if it seems to be a bug or an unexpected behavior in the system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the POWL014 error and ensure that data entry adheres to the required standards.