How To Fix S5011 - Date & contains invalid characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: S5 - Confirmation dialog boxes

• Message number: 011

• Message text: Date & contains invalid characters

What causes this issue?

Only numeric characters are permitted for the date entry.

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?

Correct the entry.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message S5011 - Date & contains invalid characters ?

  The SAP error message S5011, which states "Date & contains invalid characters," typically occurs when the system encounters a date input that does not conform to the expected format or contains characters that are not valid for date fields. This can happen in various transactions or programs where date inputs are required.
  Causes:
  
  Invalid Date Format: The date may be entered in a format that is not recognized by the system (e.g., using slashes instead of dashes, or using an incorrect order of day, month, and year).
  Non-Numeric Characters: The date field may contain letters or special characters that are not allowed (e.g., "12/31/2023" is valid, but "12/31/20XX" is not).
  Leading or Trailing Spaces: Extra spaces before or after the date can cause the system to misinterpret the input.
  Locale Settings: The date format may vary based on user locale settings, leading to mismatches if the input does not align with the expected format.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Date Format: Ensure that the date is entered in the correct format as per the system's requirements. Common formats include:
  
  YYYY-MM-DD (ISO format)
  DD.MM.YYYY (common in many European countries)
  MM/DD/YYYY (common in the US)
  
  
  
  Remove Invalid Characters: Make sure that the date input contains only numeric characters and valid separators (like dashes or slashes) as per the expected format.
  
  
  Trim Spaces: Remove any leading or trailing spaces from the date input.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the specific SAP module documentation or user guide for the correct date format and input requirements.
  
  
  User Settings: Check the user profile settings to ensure that the date format aligns with the expected input format in the system.
  
  
  Validation: If you are developing or customizing a program, implement validation checks to ensure that the date input is correctly formatted before processing.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to date handling in the specific version of SAP you are using.
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on the correct input formats for dates to minimize errors.
  System Configuration: If the issue persists, it may be necessary to review system configuration settings related to date formats and localization.
  
  If the problem continues after trying these solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a technical consultant for further assistance.