How To Fix DFS_FE_COMMON208 - Characteristic valid to date must be earlier or same as FE valid to date

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: DFS_FE_COMMON - Message Class for DFS Force Element

• Message number: 208

• Message text: Characteristic valid to date must be earlier or same as FE valid to date

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message DFS_FE_COMMON208 - Characteristic valid to date must be earlier or same as FE valid to date ?

  The SAP error message DFS_FE_COMMON208 indicates a validation issue related to the dates of characteristics in the context of Flexible Planning or Forecasting in SAP. Specifically, it suggests that the "valid to date" of a characteristic must be earlier than or the same as the "valid to date" of the forecast element (FE).
  Cause:
  This error typically arises when there is a mismatch between the validity periods of characteristics and forecast elements. The "valid to date" of a characteristic is the date until which that characteristic is considered valid, while the "valid to date" of the forecast element indicates the period for which the forecast is applicable. If the characteristic's validity extends beyond the forecast element's validity, this error will be triggered.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Validity Dates:
  
  Review the "valid to date" of the characteristic and the forecast element. Ensure that the characteristic's "valid to date" is not later than the forecast element's "valid to date".
  
  
  
  Adjust Dates:
  
  If the characteristic's "valid to date" is later than the forecast element's, you will need to either:
  
  Change the "valid to date" of the characteristic to match or be earlier than the forecast element's date.
  Adjust the forecast element's "valid to date" if it is appropriate to extend the forecast period.
  
  
  
  
  
  Data Consistency:
  
  Ensure that all related data entries are consistent and that there are no overlapping or conflicting dates across different characteristics and forecast elements.
  
  
  
  Reprocess the Data:
  
  After making the necessary adjustments, reprocess the data to see if the error persists.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If you are unsure about the implications of changing dates, consult the SAP documentation or your organization's SAP support team for guidance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like MC88 (for Flexible Planning) or MC94 (for Forecasting) to access the relevant data.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message for additional insights or patches that may address the issue.
  User Roles: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to the characteristics and forecast elements.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the DFS_FE_COMMON208 error and ensure that your planning and forecasting data is correctly aligned.