How To Fix CHANGE_RETENTION019 - Expiration date cannot be set to a date in the past

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CHANGE_RETENTION - Change Expiration Date of Archiving Sessions

• Message number: 019

• Message text: Expiration date cannot be set to a date in the past

What causes this issue?

Please select today#s date or a future date as an expiration 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?

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 CHANGE_RETENTION019 - Expiration date cannot be set to a date in the past ?

  The SAP error message CHANGE_RETENTION019 indicates that there is an attempt to set an expiration date for a retention period to a date that is in the past. This error typically occurs in the context of data retention management, where the system enforces rules to ensure that retention periods are valid and logical.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the expiration date you are trying to set is earlier than the current date. In SAP, retention periods are meant to manage the lifecycle of data, and setting an expiration date in the past does not make sense from a data management perspective.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should:
  
  
  Check the Current Date: Verify the current date in your system. You can do this by checking the system date in SAP or using transaction codes like SE38 to run a simple report that displays the current date.
  
  
  Update the Expiration Date: Change the expiration date to a future date. Ensure that the date you are setting is later than the current date. 
  
  
  Review Business Logic: If the expiration date is being set programmatically (e.g., through a custom program or batch job), review the logic to ensure that it calculates the expiration date correctly.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the retention policies or how to set the expiration dates correctly, refer to the SAP documentation or consult with your SAP administrator or functional consultant.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Retention Management: Understand the retention management policies in your organization and how they are implemented in SAP. This includes knowing the rules for setting retention periods and expiration dates.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might provide additional context or solutions related to this error message.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that deal with retention management, such as SARA (Archive Administration) or SARI (Archive Information System).
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the CHANGE_RETENTION019 error and set the expiration date correctly.