How To Fix SO187 - A document cannot be placed in itself

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SO - SAPoffice: message texts

• Message number: 187

• Message text: A document cannot be placed in itself

What causes this issue?

You tried to append the document to itself as an attachment. This is
not possible.

System Response

The function is not executed.

How to fix this error?

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SO187 - A document cannot be placed in itself ?

  The SAP error message SO187, which states "A document cannot be placed in itself," typically occurs when there is an attempt to create a document link or attachment that references itself. This can happen in various SAP modules, particularly in the context of document management or when handling attachments in SAP Business Workflow.
  Cause:
  The error arises when:
  
  You are trying to attach a document to itself, which is logically incorrect.
  There may be a programming error or misconfiguration in the workflow or document management process.
  The system is trying to create a circular reference where a document is linked to itself.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SO187 error, consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check Document References: Ensure that the document you are trying to attach is not referencing itself. Review the logic in your document management or workflow process to ensure that the attachment or linking process is correctly set up.
  
  
  Review Workflow Configuration: If this error occurs within a workflow, check the workflow configuration to ensure that the document linking logic does not inadvertently create a self-reference.
  
  
  Debugging: If you have access to the development environment, you can debug the process to identify where the self-reference is being created. Look for any custom code or enhancements that might be causing this issue.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to document management and workflow processes to see if there are any known issues or patches that address this error.
  
  
  User Training: If users are manually attaching documents, provide training to ensure they understand how to properly link documents without creating self-references.
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists and you cannot identify the cause, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. They may have additional insights or solutions based on the specific context of your implementation.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently releases notes that address specific issues.
  Documentation: Review the SAP Help Portal for documentation on document management and workflows to understand best practices and configurations.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the SO187 error and implement a solution to resolve it.