Error Groups 

Errors in Tables

Generally, the user is not authorized to make changes in a table. Therefore, the short text of the error messages which refer to tables should not contain a reference to a table. This information is contained in the long text, possibly together with the recommendation to contact the system administrator.

If the display of the message was initiated because a system table does not include an entry which it was expected to contain, the short text should not contain a reference to the table but at most a note on the entry:

Good:

E: Order type & is not valid (Check your entry)

If the error is related to tables, which are only of importance for the SAP System itself or if the cause for the error cannot explicitly be assigned to a particular entry, the message should refer the user to the system administrator:

Good:

A: No further processing possible (Contact your system administrator)

The long text should always contain a detailed error diagnosis which can also be of a more technical nature (which, however, is indicated as such).

If special reference is made to lines which are not contained in a table and if the table is important for the user, that is, if he has maintenance authorization for the table, use the following message pattern:

Good:

A: Enter country in country table & first

Input Values are not within the Valid Value Range

The user has entered an entry which was not within the valid, usually numeric value range.

Good:

E: Enter posting period in allowed value range

If the value range is known or predefined, the error message should ask the user to enter a value within a specified range:

Good:

E: Enter a posting period between 1 and 12

Nonsensical Entries

In some situations, the user attempts to carry out an action which is meaningless from a business point of view (the system should be able to prevented these actions).

Good:

E: Create bill of material first

Good:

E: Order type of outline agreement cannot be selected for &

Good:

E: Balance & is in the revaluation document of company code &

System Error, System Limits are Exceeded

If a non-user error occurs in the system, the message should explain that a system-related problem has caused the error. It should also point out how the user can respond. Technical descriptions should be avoided.

For temporary problems, the following "good" example can be used:

Bad:

I: Global lock table is full. Locking is currently notpossible

Good:

I: At present, the function cannot be carried out

A detailed explanation of this message must be given in the long text.

If a more severe system error interrupts the user's interaction with the system, the following message can be displayed:

Good:

A: No further processing is possible (Contact your system administrator)

A detailed explanation of this message must be given in the long text.

No Entry Made in a Certain Field

If particular entries are required to continue processing, the required specifications are, however, missing or incorrect:

Good:

E: Enter material or reservation in case of a single entry

Good:

E: Enter the batch number for material &

Good:

E: Enter required-entry field material

Control Error

If an operating error occurs, for example, the user chooses a function which requires a previous selection to have been made, the message should specify the initiated action and the error diagnosis, if possible:

Good:

W: You have chosen Copy (Select an order first )

Good:

W: You have chosen Delete (Delete all items individually)

Resource Conflicts Due to System Conditions

If records are locked, the user is missing the required authorization, etc.:

Good:

I: You are not authorized for printer & (printer destination)

Good:

I: Vendor master record & is currently locked

Invalid Result of an Action

If a calculation would lead to a meaningless or invalid result, not only the diagnosis should be given but also help in eliminating the error.

Good:

E: The specified quantity is smaller than the delivered quantity (Repeat entry)

Good:

W: Today's purchase order & cannot be printed

Success Messages

The system sends success messages to the user when it has performed certain tasks (e.g. particular important tasks).

Good:

S: Differences to physical inventory document & have been posted with document &

Good:

S: New record with field & was added to list X

Good:

S: Physical inventory document with the generated number & has been posted

Plausibility Error

The system, for early recognition of substantive errors, should check entries for their plausibility, if possible.

Good:

W: Check the pricing