How To Fix 5A189 - Change for person & extends too far into past

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5A - Basis Personnel Management

• Message number: 189

• Message text: Change for person & extends too far into past

What causes this issue?

You are working with active integration between the PD and the HR
Master Data Management. You must consider the effects of your
transaction on Human Resource master data.
The entries cannot be updated because, otherwise, it would be necessary
to make changes for the specified personnel numbers, which date too far
back into the payroll past.
The earliest retroactive accounting period for the payroll subunit to
which the person belongs is defined in T569V. The earliest personal
retroactive accounting date is read from infotype 0003. The more recent
of these dates is determined.
Only changes which occurred AFTER this date can be carried out.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5A189 - Change for person & extends too far into past ?

  The SAP error message 5A189 ("Change for person & extends too far into past") typically occurs in the Human Capital Management (HCM) module when there is an attempt to make a change to an employee's data that is dated too far in the past. This is a safeguard to prevent inconsistencies in historical data.
  Cause:
  The error is triggered when:
  
  You are trying to change an employee's data (such as infotype records) with a start date that is too far back in time.
  The system has a defined limit for how far back changes can be made, which is often set in the configuration of the system.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following approaches:
  
  
  Check the Date of Change: Ensure that the date you are trying to use for the change is within the acceptable range defined in your SAP system. If you need to make changes to historical data, you may need to adjust the date to be within the allowed range.
  
  
  Consult with HR or System Administrator: If you need to make changes that are outside the allowed range, consult with your HR department or SAP system administrator. They may have the ability to adjust the configuration settings or provide guidance on how to proceed.
  
  
  Use a Different Transaction: In some cases, you may need to use a different transaction or method to make historical changes. For example, some organizations have specific processes for handling historical data changes.
  
  
  Consider a Retroactive Change: If the change is necessary for payroll or reporting purposes, consider whether a retroactive change is appropriate and how it can be documented properly.
  
  
  Documentation and Approval: If changes to historical data are necessary, ensure that you have the proper documentation and approvals in place, as this can be important for compliance and auditing purposes.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Configuration Settings: The limits for how far back changes can be made are often set in the configuration of the SAP system. This can be found in the IMG (Implementation Guide) under the relevant HCM settings.
  User Roles and Authorizations: Ensure that the user attempting to make the change has the necessary authorizations to perform changes to employee data.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional information or updates regarding this error message.
  
  If you continue to experience issues or need further assistance, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal IT support team for more tailored help.