How To Fix WE245 - Prefix & ('&') is defined in Customizing

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WE - Messages for EAN Customizing and for EAN management in MM_BD

• Message number: 245

• Message text: Prefix & ('&') is defined in Customizing

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WE245 - Prefix & ('&') is defined in Customizing ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WE245 - Prefix & ('&') is defined in Customizing
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when the system detects that a prefix containing the ampersand character (&) is defined in the IDoc number range or message type customizing. The ampersand (&) is a special character in SAP used as a placeholder or variable indicator in various contexts, and its presence in prefixes can cause conflicts or unexpected behavior during IDoc processing.
  Typically, this happens if in the IDoc number range intervals or message type configuration, a prefix with & is maintained, which is not allowed.
  
  Explanation:
  
  In SAP, IDoc numbers can have prefixes defined in customizing to distinguish different IDoc types or sources.
  The prefix should be alphanumeric and should not contain special characters like &.
  The & character is reserved for variable substitution in SAP scripts and other areas, so its use in prefixes is prohibited.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check the IDoc Number Range Intervals:
  
  Go to transaction WE30 or WE21 or directly to number range customizing via WE08 or WE02 (for IDoc monitoring).
  More specifically, use transaction WE20 (Partner Profiles) or WE41/WE42 (for outbound/inbound parameters) to check if any prefix with & is maintained.
  Or use transaction SNRO (Number Range Objects) and check the object IDOC_NUMBER or related number range objects.
  
  
  
  Remove or Correct the Prefix:
  
  Navigate to the customizing path:
  SPRO -> SAP NetWeaver -> Application Server -> IDoc Interface / Application Link Enabling (ALE) -> Basic Settings -> Number Ranges for IDocs
  
  Find the number range intervals where the prefix is defined.
  Remove the & character from the prefix or replace it with a valid alphanumeric character.
  
  
  
  Save and Transport:
  
  After correction, save the changes.
  If in a development system, transport the changes to quality and production systems.
  
  
  
  Test:
  
  Reprocess the IDoc or trigger the process that caused the error to confirm the issue is resolved.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  WE20 - Partner Profiles
  WE21 - Port Definition
  WE30 - IDoc Type Development
  SNRO - Number Range Objects
  WE02 / WE05 - IDoc Monitoring
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check SAP Notes related to IDoc number range and prefix issues if the problem persists.
  
  
  
  Best Practices:
  
  Always use alphanumeric characters for prefixes.
  Avoid special characters in customizing entries that are used as identifiers or prefixes.
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  The error WE245 is caused by the presence of an invalid prefix containing the & character in IDoc customizing. The solution is to remove or replace the & character in the prefix definition within the number range customizing for IDocs.
  
  If you need further assistance, please provide the exact customizing path or screenshots of the prefix definition.