How To Fix >A003 - Balance sheet key date (&1) must be before archiving key date (&2)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: >A -

• Message number: 003

• Message text: Balance sheet key date (&1) must be before archiving key date (&2)

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message >A003 - Balance sheet key date (&1) must be before archiving key date (&2) ?

  The SAP error message A003 indicates that there is a conflict between the balance sheet key date and the archiving key date. Specifically, the balance sheet key date you are trying to use is after the archiving key date, which is not allowed in the system.
  Cause:
  
  Key Date Conflict: The balance sheet key date (&1) you are trying to enter is later than the archiving key date (&2). This means that the system has archived data that is relevant to the balance sheet key date you are trying to use.
  Data Archiving: The archiving process in SAP is designed to remove old data from the database to improve performance. If the balance sheet key date falls after the data has been archived, the system cannot access the necessary data to generate the balance sheet.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Adjust Key Dates: 
  
  Ensure that the balance sheet key date you are entering is before the archiving key date. You may need to select an earlier date for the balance sheet.
  If you need to use the later balance sheet key date, you may need to unarchive the relevant data, if possible, or adjust your reporting requirements.
  
  
  
  Check Archiving Settings:
  
  Review the archiving settings in your SAP system to understand the archiving key date. This can usually be found in the transaction codes related to data archiving (e.g., SARA).
  If necessary, consult with your SAP Basis team or system administrator to understand the implications of changing archiving settings.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: 
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources for more information on how archiving works in your specific version of SAP and how it affects financial reporting.
  
  
  
  Testing: 
  
  After making adjustments, test the changes in a development or test environment before applying them in production to ensure that the issue is resolved without causing other problems.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may want to use transaction codes like SARA (Archive Administration) to manage archiving processes and check the status of archived data.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to this error message, as there may be known issues or fixes provided by SAP.
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions to access and modify the relevant financial data and archiving settings.
  
  If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to reach out to your SAP support team for further assistance.