How To Fix SO391 - Expand private distribution lists before combining

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SO - SAPoffice: message texts

• Message number: 391

• Message text: Expand private distribution lists before combining

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SO391 - Expand private distribution lists before combining ?

  The SAP error message SO391, which states "Expand private distribution lists before combining," typically occurs when you are trying to send an email or a message using a distribution list that contains private distribution lists. In SAP, private distribution lists are not automatically expanded when you attempt to combine them with other recipients.
  Cause:
  The error arises because the system requires that all private distribution lists be expanded into their individual members before they can be combined with other recipients for sending emails. This is a safeguard to ensure that all intended recipients are included in the communication.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to manually expand the private distribution lists before attempting to send the email or message. Here are the steps you can follow:
  
  
  Identify the Private Distribution List: Determine which private distribution list is causing the issue.
  
  
  Expand the Distribution List:
  
  Go to the transaction code for sending emails (e.g., SO10 for text modules or using the relevant transaction for sending emails).
  Instead of using the distribution list directly, expand it to see the individual members.
  You can do this by checking the members of the distribution list in the SAP system.
  
  
  
  Add Individual Recipients: Once you have the list of individual email addresses, add them to the recipient field instead of the private distribution list.
  
  
  Send the Email: After ensuring that all recipients are listed individually, you can proceed to send the email.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Distribution Lists: In SAP, distribution lists can be either public or private. Public distribution lists can be accessed by all users, while private lists are restricted to specific users.
  Email Configuration: Ensure that your SAP system is properly configured for sending emails. This includes settings in transaction SCOT (SAPconnect) and ensuring that the SMTP settings are correct.
  User Authorizations: Make sure that you have the necessary authorizations to view and expand private distribution lists.
  
  If you continue to experience issues, consider consulting your SAP Basis team or referring to SAP documentation for further troubleshooting steps.