How To Fix SF018 - Search term only contains invalid special characters

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SF - SAPfind: Message Texts

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Search term only contains invalid special characters

What causes this issue?

Standardization of the compare process
In order to be able to search efficiently in texts it is necessary to
standardize the character strings in the text and the search terms used
in comparison. Without standardization a reliable compare process is
not possible. This standardization does not require a reduction in the
character set or any changes to the text. Character strings are
standardized as follows for search purposes only:
Strings that are separated by blanks are considered as text words.
Lower case letters are converted to upper case letters.
All special characters within or appended to text words are ignored.
Search terms retain only the special characters * and + as
placeholders.
SAPscript control characters (in pointed brackets) are ignored in text
words.

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?

Avoid search terms consisting only of special characters as these will
be ignored during the search.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SF018 - Search term only contains invalid special characters ?

  The SAP error message SF018, which states "Search term only contains invalid special characters," typically occurs when a user attempts to perform a search using a search term that consists solely of special characters or is formatted incorrectly. This can happen in various SAP applications, including SAP SuccessFactors or other modules that utilize search functionalities.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Input: The search term entered by the user contains only special characters (e.g., @, #, $, %, &, etc.) without any alphanumeric characters.
  Whitespace: The search term may consist only of spaces or be empty.
  System Configuration: There may be specific configurations or restrictions in the system that limit the types of characters that can be used in search terms.
  
  Solution:
  
  Use Alphanumeric Characters: Ensure that the search term includes at least one alphanumeric character (letters or numbers). For example, instead of searching for just @#$%, use a term like John or 123.
  Check for Whitespace: Make sure that the search term is not just spaces. Remove any leading or trailing spaces.
  Review Input: If you are copying and pasting a search term, ensure that it does not include any hidden characters or formatting issues.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidelines on valid search terms for the application you are using.
  Contact Support: If the issue persists after ensuring the search term is valid, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting the SAP community for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional context.
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on how to properly use the search functionality within the SAP application to avoid common pitfalls.
  System Updates: Keep your SAP system updated, as newer versions may have improved error handling or search functionalities.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SF018 error and successfully perform your search in SAP.