How To Fix BIL018 - Secondary installation &1: Billing period of higher-level inst. not valid

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BIL - General billing

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Secondary installation &1: Billing period of higher-level inst. not valid

What causes this issue?

The <DS:DE.BEGABRPE>start of the billing period</>, &v3&, does not match
&v4&, which is specified as the start of the billing period for
<DS:DE.HIGHLEVINST>higher-level secondary installation </> &v2& for
secondary installation &v1&.
Background:
This situation is similar to that described in error message
<DS:NA.BIL017>017</>. The system did find a billing document for
higher-level installation &v2&. However, the start of the billing period
for the higher-level secondary installation must not be after the start
of the billing period for the lower-level secondary installation.
Possible cause:
You performed interim or final billing for secondary installation &v2&
without billing the lower-level secondary installation &v1& on the same
date.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Bill the secondary installations on the same date.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BIL018 - Secondary installation &1: Billing period of higher-level inst. not valid ?

  The SAP error message BIL018, which states "Secondary installation &1: Billing period of higher-level inst. not valid," typically occurs in the context of billing processes, particularly when dealing with installations and billing periods in SAP IS-U (Industry Solution for Utilities).
  Cause:
  This error usually arises due to one of the following reasons:
  
  
  Invalid Billing Period: The billing period for the higher-level installation (e.g., a parent installation) is not valid for the secondary installation. This can happen if the billing period is outside the allowed range or if it has not been defined correctly.
  
  
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration issues in the billing setup, such as incorrect settings for billing periods or installation types.
  
  
  Data Inconsistencies: There could be inconsistencies in the master data for the installations, such as mismatched billing types or incorrect assignment of installations.
  
  
  Missing Data: Required data for the billing period or installation may be missing or incorrectly maintained.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the BIL018 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Billing Periods: Verify the billing periods defined for the higher-level installation. Ensure that they are valid and correctly set up in the system.
  
  
  Review Installation Data: Check the master data for both the secondary and higher-level installations. Ensure that all relevant fields are filled out correctly and that there are no inconsistencies.
  
  
  Configuration Review: Review the configuration settings related to billing periods and installations in the SAP system. Make sure that the settings align with the business requirements.
  
  
  Adjust Billing Type: If applicable, check the billing type assigned to the installations and ensure that it is appropriate for the billing period in question.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to billing and installations for any specific guidance or known issues.
  
  
  Testing: After making adjustments, perform a test billing run to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like EA19 (Display Installation), EA20 (Change Installation), or EA21 (Create Installation) to review and modify installation data.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Support: If the issue persists after following the above steps, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the BIL018 error in your SAP system.