How To Fix EARC398 - Enter a retention period or an import date

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: EARC - IS-U: Archiving

• Message number: 398

• Message text: Enter a retention period or an import date

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message EARC398 - Enter a retention period or an import date ?

  The SAP error message EARC398, which states "Enter a retention period or an import date," typically occurs in the context of data archiving or data retention processes within SAP systems. This error indicates that the system requires either a retention period or an import date to proceed with the operation you are attempting.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Input: The error is triggered when the user does not provide the necessary information regarding the retention period or the import date in the relevant fields.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the archiving object that require these fields to be filled out.
  User Authorization: Sometimes, the user may not have the necessary authorizations to access or modify the retention settings.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the EARC398 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Enter Required Information:
  
  Go back to the screen where the error occurred and ensure that you have filled in either the retention period or the import date.
  The retention period typically specifies how long the data should be retained before it can be archived or deleted.
  The import date is often used to indicate when the data was imported into the system.
  
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  If you are an administrator or have access to configuration settings, check the archiving object settings to ensure that the fields for retention period and import date are correctly configured.
  You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction codes (like SARA for archiving) and reviewing the settings.
  
  
  
  User Authorization:
  
  Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to perform the archiving or retention tasks. If not, contact your SAP security administrator to obtain the required permissions.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help files related to the specific archiving object you are working with for more detailed guidance on the required fields and their implications.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP Notes for any known issues related to this error message.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Archiving in SAP: Archiving is a process used to remove data from the database to improve performance and manage data growth. It is essential to define retention periods to comply with legal and business requirements.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SARA (Archive Administration) and SARI (Archive Information System) for managing archiving processes.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or patches that may address this error or provide additional context.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the EARC398 error and continue with your SAP operations.