How To Fix SD171 - Document name & contains forbidden special characters.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SD - Online doc., terminology, translation, help

• Message number: 171

• Message text: Document name & contains forbidden special characters.

What causes this issue?

The name of a document of this class may not contain special characters.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

You may use the following characters:
&V2&

System Response

How to fix this error?

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 SD171 - Document name & contains forbidden special characters. ?

  The SAP error message SD171, which states "Document name & contains forbidden special characters," typically occurs when you are trying to create or process a document (such as a sales order, delivery, or invoice) in the SAP system, and the document name or number includes special characters that are not allowed by the system.
  Cause:
  The error is caused by the presence of special characters in the document name or number. SAP has specific rules regarding which characters are permissible in document identifiers. Common forbidden characters may include:
  
  Special symbols (e.g., @, #, $, %, &, *, etc.)
  Spaces at the beginning or end of the document name
  Certain punctuation marks
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SD171 error, you should:
  
  
  Check the Document Name: Review the document name or number you are trying to use. Ensure that it does not contain any forbidden special characters.
  
  
  Modify the Document Name: If you find any forbidden characters, modify the document name to remove or replace them with acceptable characters. Stick to alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) and underscores (_) or hyphens (-) if necessary.
  
  
  Use SAP Naming Conventions: Follow the naming conventions and guidelines provided by your organization or SAP documentation to ensure compliance with the system's requirements.
  
  
  Test the Changes: After making the necessary changes, attempt to create or process the document again to see if the error persists.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for guidelines on naming conventions and character restrictions.
  Transaction Codes: If you are using specific transaction codes (e.g., VA01 for sales orders), ensure that you are familiar with the input requirements for those transactions.
  User Exits or Enhancements: If your organization has implemented custom logic or enhancements, check if they might be affecting the document naming process.
  SAP Notes: Search for relevant SAP Notes in the SAP Support Portal that may provide additional insights or solutions related to this error.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.