How To Fix /SAPAPO/MA820 - Invalid period (contains characters other than 0-9)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/MA -

• Message number: 820

• Message text: Invalid period (contains characters other than 0-9)

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SAPAPO/MA820 - Invalid period (contains characters other than 0-9) ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/MA820 Invalid period (contains characters other than 0-9) typically occurs in the context of SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) when a user attempts to enter a period value that contains invalid characters. This error indicates that the system expects a numeric value (composed only of digits 0-9) for the period, but the input provided contains non-numeric characters.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Input: The most common cause is that the user has entered a period value that includes letters, special characters, or spaces.
  Data Format Issues: The input might be formatted incorrectly, such as including leading zeros or being in an unexpected format.
  Copy-Paste Errors: Sometimes, copying and pasting values from other sources (like Excel) can introduce hidden characters or formatting issues.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Input: Ensure that the period value you are entering consists only of numeric digits (0-9). Remove any non-numeric characters.
  Correct Format: If the period is expected to be in a specific format (e.g., YYYYMM for year and month), make sure to adhere to that format.
  Re-enter Manually: Instead of copying and pasting, try typing the period value manually to avoid hidden characters.
  Validation: If you are using a program or script to generate the period values, ensure that it is correctly formatting the output as numeric.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or help files for the specific transaction or function you are using to understand the expected input format.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error may occur in various transactions related to planning, such as those in the Demand Planning (DP) or Supply Network Planning (SNP) modules.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on the correct input formats and the importance of data validation before submission.
  Debugging: If the error persists and seems to be related to a specific program or transaction, consider debugging the process to identify where the invalid input is being generated.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and successfully enter the required period value in SAP APO.