How To Fix >0397 - Alternative posting date to &1 cannot be determined

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: >0 - General Basis texts

• Message number: 397

• Message text: Alternative posting date to &1 cannot be determined

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message >0397 - Alternative posting date to &1 cannot be determined ?

  The SAP error message 0397 ("Alternative posting date to &1 cannot be determined") typically occurs in the context of financial transactions, particularly when dealing with document postings in SAP. This error indicates that the system is unable to determine an alternative posting date for the specified document or transaction.
  Causes:
  
  Missing Configuration: The alternative posting date may not be configured correctly in the system. This can happen if the necessary settings in the financial accounting configuration are incomplete or incorrect.
  Document Type Settings: The document type being used may not have the necessary settings to allow for alternative posting dates.
  Posting Date Issues: The posting date provided may not fall within the allowed range or may not be valid for the transaction type.
  Fiscal Year Variance: The fiscal year settings may not align with the posting date, leading to issues in determining an alternative date.
  User Authorizations: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to perform the transaction, which can sometimes lead to misleading error messages.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Configuration: Review the configuration settings for alternative posting dates in the Financial Accounting (FI) module. Ensure that the necessary parameters are set up correctly.
  
  Transaction Code: OB52 (to check and maintain posting periods).
  Transaction Code: OBY6 (to check the fiscal year variant).
  
  
  
  Review Document Type Settings: Ensure that the document type being used allows for alternative posting dates. This can be checked in the configuration settings for document types.
  
  Transaction Code: OBA7 (to maintain document types).
  
  
  
  Validate Posting Date: Ensure that the posting date you are trying to use is valid and falls within the allowed posting periods. Check if the posting period is open for the specified date.
  
  
  Check User Authorizations: Verify that the user has the necessary authorizations to perform the transaction. This can be done by checking the user roles and authorizations in the system.
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes: Sometimes, specific issues may be addressed in SAP Notes. Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant notes that may provide additional guidance or patches.
  
  
  Testing in a Sandbox Environment: If possible, replicate the issue in a sandbox environment to test different configurations or document types without affecting the production environment.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for detailed information on financial posting and configuration settings.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for financial postings, such as FB01 (Post Document), FB50 (G/L Account Document), and others.
  
  If the issue persists after checking these areas, it may be beneficial to consult with an SAP functional consultant or your organization's SAP support team for further assistance.