How To Fix VL841 - Fields &1 and &3 blank--external identification cannot be determined

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VL -

• Message number: 841

• Message text: Fields &1 and &3 blank--external identification cannot be determined

What causes this issue?

Either the delivery number (E1EDL20-VBELN) or the supplier's external
identification (E1EDL20-LIFEX) is necessary to confirm the supplier's
external identification number on the Incoming Shipping Notification
EDI. However, both fields are blank.

System Response

The shipping notification is marked as containing errors (status 51).

How to fix this error?

Enter the supplier number for supplier E1EDL20-VBELN. You can use the
external identification field (E1EDL20-LIFEX) to indicate the document
reference if the field length of field E1EDL20-VBELN proves to be
insufficient.

Procedure for System Administrators

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 VL841 - Fields &1 and &3 blank--external identification cannot be determined ?

  The SAP error message VL841, which states "Fields &1 and &3 blank--external identification cannot be determined," typically occurs in the context of logistics and shipping processes, particularly when dealing with delivery documents or outbound deliveries. This error indicates that the system is unable to determine the external identification for a delivery because certain required fields are blank.
  Cause:
  The error is usually caused by one or more of the following issues:
  
  Missing Data: Required fields for the delivery or shipment are not filled in. This could include fields like shipping point, delivery number, or other identification fields.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the system that are not set up correctly, leading to the inability to derive the external identification.
  Master Data Issues: The master data for the materials, customers, or vendors may be incomplete or incorrect, which can affect the delivery process.
  Custom Code or Enhancements: If there are custom developments or enhancements in the system, they might interfere with the standard process and lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the VL841 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Required Fields: Review the delivery document and ensure that all required fields are filled in. Pay special attention to fields related to external identification.
  
  
  Review Configuration: Check the configuration settings in the SAP system related to shipping and delivery. Ensure that the settings for external identification are correctly configured.
  
  
  Validate Master Data: Ensure that the master data for the relevant materials, customers, and vendors is complete and accurate. This includes checking for any missing or incorrect entries.
  
  
  Debugging: If you have access to debugging tools, you can analyze the program logic to see where the error is being triggered. This may help identify if there is a specific condition causing the issue.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or notes related to this error message. There may be specific notes or patches available that address this issue.
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance. They may have additional insights or solutions based on the specific version of SAP you are using.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as VL01N (Create Outbound Delivery), VL02N (Change Outbound Delivery), and VL03N (Display Outbound Delivery) to navigate and troubleshoot delivery documents.
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to VL841 in the SAP Support Portal, as they may provide specific fixes or workarounds.
  User Forums: Check SAP community forums or other user groups for discussions related to this error, as other users may have encountered and resolved similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the VL841 error in your SAP system.