How To Fix 5W208 - End date cannot be before start date; set a new date


5W208 - Overview

  • Message type: E = Error

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

  • Message number: 208

  • Message text: End date cannot be before start date; set a new date

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  • Self-Explanatory Message

    Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

    To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

    Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.



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5W208 - Details

  • The SAP error message 5W208 indicates that there is a problem with the date configuration in a transaction or process where the end date is set to a date that is earlier than the start date. This is a common validation error in SAP systems, particularly in modules related to project management, time management, or any scheduling functionality.
    
    Cause: The error occurs when: The end date of a task, project, or activity is incorrectly entered as being before the start date. There may be a data entry mistake where the dates were swapped or incorrectly formatted. The system is trying to process a record that has invalid date logic.
    Solution: To resolve the error, follow these steps: Check Date Entries: Review the start and end dates in the relevant transaction or record. Ensure that the end date is set to a date that is equal to or later than the start date. Correct the Dates: If you find that

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