How To Fix SO847 - Entry for fax number &1 has invalid format

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SO - SAPoffice: message texts

• Message number: 847

• Message text: Entry for fax number &1 has invalid format

What causes this issue?

You have entered the fax number in an invalid format.

How to fix this error?

Enter the fax number in the following format:
<LB><COUNTRY> <number></>
Enter the country code. You can enter the telephone number generically,
i.e. you can replace part of the number with '*'.
&Examples&
DE 0622774747
US *23764

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SO847 - Entry for fax number &1 has invalid format ?

  The SAP error message SO847 indicates that there is an issue with the format of a fax number that has been entered into the system. This error typically arises when the fax number does not conform to the expected format defined in the SAP system.
  Cause:
  The error can occur due to several reasons:
  
  Incorrect Format: The fax number may contain invalid characters (e.g., letters, special characters) or may not follow the required structure (e.g., missing country code, area code).
  Length of the Number: The fax number may be too short or too long compared to the expected length defined in the system.
  Configuration Settings: The settings in the SAP system for fax number formats may not be correctly configured, leading to validation errors.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the SO847 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Format: Ensure that the fax number is entered in the correct format. Typically, a valid fax number should include:
  
  Country code (if applicable)
  Area code (if applicable)
  The main number
  No spaces or special characters (unless specified by your organization’s standards)
  
  
  
  Review Configuration: If you have access to the configuration settings, check the settings for fax number formats in the relevant SAP module (e.g., SAPscript, Smart Forms, or the specific application you are using). Ensure that the format requirements are correctly defined.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or help files for the specific module you are working with to understand the expected format for fax numbers.
  
  
  Test with Different Numbers: Try entering a few different fax numbers that you know are valid to see if the error persists. This can help determine if the issue is with the specific number you are trying to enter.
  
  
  Contact Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional guidance on fax number formatting.
  User Exits or BAdIs: If your organization has custom developments, there may be user exits or BAdIs that affect how fax numbers are validated. Review any custom code that may be impacting this functionality.
  Testing Environment: If possible, replicate the issue in a testing environment to avoid impacting production data while troubleshooting.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and correct the issue causing the SO847 error in SAP.