How To Fix WF005 - Agent <&>& does not exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WF - Workflow: messages

• Message number: 005

• Message text: Agent <&>& does not exist

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.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WF005 - Agent <&>& does not exist ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WF005 Agent <&>& does not exist
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs in SAP Workflow when the system tries to assign a workflow step to an agent (user, role, or organizational unit) that does not exist or cannot be found in the system. The placeholder <&>& in the message is replaced by the agent ID that the workflow is trying to assign.
  Common reasons include:
  
  The agent ID specified in the workflow step is incorrect or misspelled.
  The user or organizational unit has been deleted or is inactive.
  The agent assignment is dynamic and the determination method returns a non-existent agent.
  The workflow container or binding is incorrect, leading to an invalid agent being passed.
  The agent is a user that has not been created or has been locked/disabled.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check the Agent ID:
  
  Verify the agent ID mentioned in the error message.
  Confirm that the user or organizational unit exists in the system (transaction SU01 for users, PPOSE or PPOME for org units).
  
  
  
  Check Agent Assignment in Workflow:
  
  Review the workflow step where the agent is assigned.
  If the agent is determined dynamically (e.g., via a rule or container binding), check the logic or container values.
  Use transaction SWDD (Workflow Builder) to inspect the agent assignment.
  
  
  
  Check User Status:
  
  Ensure the user is not locked or deleted.
  Use SU01 to check user status and unlock if necessary.
  
  
  
  Check Organizational Management:
  
  If the agent is an org unit or position, verify it exists and is active in Organizational Management (transaction PPOME).
  
  
  
  Check Workflow Container:
  
  Make sure the container element used to determine the agent is correctly filled and contains valid data.
  
  
  
  Test Agent Determination:
  
  Use transaction SWIA or SWI1 to test the workflow and see which agent is being assigned.
  Use SWEL to check workflow event logs for more details.
  
  
  
  Adjust Workflow or Master Data:
  
  Correct the agent assignment in the workflow definition.
  Create or reactivate the missing user or organizational unit if necessary.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SU01 – User maintenance
  PPOSE / PPOME – Organizational Management
  SWDD – Workflow Builder
  SWIA – Work item administration
  SWEL – Workflow event log
  SWI1 – Workflow log
  
  
  
  SAP Notes:
  
  Check SAP Notes related to workflow agent determination errors.
  Example: SAP Note 102011 (general workflow agent errors)
  
  
  
  Documentation:
  
  SAP Help Portal: Workflow Agent Determination
  SAP Workflow Administration guides
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  The error "WF005 Agent <&>& does not exist" means the workflow is trying to assign a task to an agent that is not found in the system. The fix involves verifying the agent ID, checking user/org unit existence and status, reviewing workflow agent assignment logic, and correcting any inconsistencies in master data or workflow configuration.