How To Fix RSDMD185 - &1 : Data record &2 ('&3') : Version '&4' contains invalid characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RSDMD - Messages for master data

• Message number: 185

• Message text: &1 : Data record &2 ('&3') : Version '&4' contains invalid characters

What causes this issue?

The data record &2& with the key '&3&' contains invalid characters in
the value '&4&' of the attribute/characteristic &1&.

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 this message appears during a data load, maintain the attribute in
the PSA maintenance screens. If this message appears in the master data
maintenance screens, leave the transaction and call it again. This
allows you to maintain your master data.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RSDMD185 - &1 : Data record &2 ('&3') : Version '&4' contains invalid characters ?

  The SAP error message RSDMD185 indicates that there is an issue with a data record in the context of SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP BI (Business Intelligence). Specifically, it points out that a certain version of a data record contains invalid characters. Here’s a breakdown of the cause, potential solutions, and related information for this error:
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Characters: The error typically arises when the data record contains characters that are not allowed in the specific field or version. This could be due to special characters, spaces, or non-printable characters that are not supported by the data model.
  Data Source Issues: If the data is being loaded from an external source, the source data might have been incorrectly formatted or contain unexpected characters.
  Data Model Configuration: The configuration of the InfoObject or the data model may not allow certain characters, leading to this error when data is being processed.
  
  Solution:
  
  Identify Invalid Characters: Review the data record mentioned in the error message. Check for any characters that are not typically allowed (e.g., special characters, leading/trailing spaces).
  Data Cleansing: If you identify invalid characters, cleanse the data by removing or replacing them. This can be done in the source system or during the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process.
  Check Data Source: If the data is coming from an external source, ensure that the data is correctly formatted before it is loaded into SAP BW. You may need to adjust the extraction logic or the source data.
  Adjust InfoObject Settings: If the InfoObject has restrictions on the characters allowed, consider modifying these settings if appropriate. This may involve changing the data type or length of the InfoObject.
  Reprocess the Data: After making the necessary changes, reprocess the data load to see if the error persists.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  Data Validation: Implement data validation checks in your ETL process to catch invalid characters before they cause issues in SAP BW.
  Documentation: Review the documentation for the specific InfoObject or data model to understand the allowed character set and any constraints that may apply.
  
  If the problem persists after trying these solutions, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance, providing them with detailed information about the error and the context in which it occurs.