How To Fix 5W189 - Caution: Substitution ends in the past and is ignored

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5W - Messages for PD (Particularly Workflow)

• Message number: 189

• Message text: Caution: Substitution ends in the past and is ignored

What causes this issue?

You have tried to create a substitute relationship for a period that
occurs entirely in the past. This substitute relationship would not
have any affect on the system because substitutions in workflow are
always evaluated for the system date.

System Response

The system will not let you create this substitute relationship.

How to fix this error?

You should create a substitute relationship for a period starting from
the current system date or a date in the future. Correct your entry or
cancel processing.

Procedure for System Administrators

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5W189 - Caution: Substitution ends in the past and is ignored ?

  The SAP error message 5W189 indicates that a substitution in the system is set to end in the past, which means that the system is ignoring this substitution because it is no longer valid. This typically occurs in the context of material management, where substitutions for materials or components are defined but have a validity period that has already expired.
  Cause:
  
  Expired Substitution: The substitution record has a validity period that has already ended. This can happen if the end date of the substitution is set to a date before the current date.
  Incorrect Configuration: The substitution may have been configured incorrectly, leading to an unintended end date.
  Data Migration Issues: If data was migrated from another system, it’s possible that the end dates were not updated correctly.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Substitution Records: 
  
  Go to the relevant transaction (e.g., MM02 for material master) and check the substitution records for the material in question.
  Verify the validity dates of the substitution. If the end date is in the past, you will need to either extend the end date or create a new substitution record with the correct dates.
  
  
  
  Update Validity Dates:
  
  If the substitution is still relevant, update the end date to a future date to make it valid again.
  If the substitution is no longer needed, you can delete the expired substitution record.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  If you are responsible for maintaining the substitution settings, review the configuration to ensure that future substitutions are set up correctly with appropriate validity periods.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for guidance on managing substitutions and understanding the implications of validity dates.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making changes, test the substitution functionality to ensure that it works as expected and that the error message no longer appears.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM02 (Change Material), MM03 (Display Material), and others related to material management.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to substitution functionality.
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions to make changes to substitution records in the system.
  
  By addressing the expired substitution records and ensuring that future records are configured correctly, you can resolve the error message 5W189 and prevent it from occurring again.