How To Fix 3B985 - Payroll period can be entered only if ATC is active

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 3B - Messages HR SK

• Message number: 985

• Message text: Payroll period can be entered only if ATC is active

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 3B985 - Payroll period can be entered only if ATC is active ?

  The SAP error message 3B985 indicates that a payroll period can only be entered if the Automatic Time Capture (ATC) is active. This error typically arises in the context of payroll processing when the system is expecting that ATC functionality is enabled but it is not.
  Cause:
  
  ATC Not Active: The primary cause of this error is that the Automatic Time Capture feature is not activated in the system. This feature is essential for processing payroll periods in certain configurations.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings that are not properly set up in the SAP system, leading to the inability to enter payroll periods.
  User Role/Authorization: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access or modify payroll periods, especially if ATC is required.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Activate ATC: 
  
  Check if the ATC is activated in your SAP system. This can typically be done by navigating to the relevant configuration settings in the SAP system (usually in the SPRO transaction under the Payroll settings).
  If ATC is not active, you will need to enable it. This may require assistance from your SAP Basis or HR configuration team.
  
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Review the configuration settings related to payroll and ATC. Ensure that all necessary parameters are set correctly.
  Make sure that the payroll area and related settings are correctly configured to support ATC.
  
  
  
  User Authorization:
  
  Verify that the user encountering the error has the appropriate authorizations to enter payroll periods. This may involve checking user roles and permissions in the SAP system.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help notes related to ATC and payroll processing for additional guidance on configuration and troubleshooting.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance. They may provide specific notes or patches that address the issue.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide additional context on ATC and payroll processing.
  Training and Documentation: Ensure that users involved in payroll processing are trained on the requirements and configurations related to ATC.
  Testing: After making changes, conduct thorough testing in a development or quality assurance environment before applying changes to the production system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message 3B985 and successfully enter the payroll period in SAP.