How To Fix FCO_COPA474 - No initial description of derivation step found

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FCO_COPA - SFIN message class for CO-PA relevant issues

• Message number: 474

• Message text: No initial description of derivation step found

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FCO_COPA474 - No initial description of derivation step found ?

  The SAP error message FCO_COPA474 indicates that there is no initial description of a derivation step found in the context of CO-PA (Controlling-Profitability Analysis). This error typically arises when the system is trying to execute a derivation step in the CO-PA configuration, but it cannot find the necessary initial data or configuration to perform the derivation.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Configuration: The derivation step may not be properly configured in the CO-PA settings. This could be due to missing entries in the derivation strategy or incorrect settings.
  Incorrect Derivation Logic: The derivation logic may reference a step or a characteristic that does not exist or is not properly defined.
  Transport Issues: If the configuration was transported from one system to another (e.g., from development to production), there may have been issues during the transport that led to missing configurations.
  Data Issues: The data being processed may not meet the criteria defined in the derivation step, leading to the error.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Configuration: 
  
  Go to the CO-PA configuration settings in SAP (Transaction code: SPRO).
  Navigate to the section for defining derivation steps and ensure that all necessary steps are defined and correctly configured.
  Verify that the initial description of the derivation step exists and is correctly set up.
  
  
  
  Review Derivation Logic:
  
  Check the derivation strategy and ensure that all characteristics and values referenced in the derivation logic are valid and exist in the system.
  Make sure that the derivation steps are correctly linked and that there are no missing dependencies.
  
  
  
  Transport Check:
  
  If the issue arose after a transport, check the transport logs to ensure that all necessary objects were transported correctly.
  If needed, re-transport the missing configurations or manually adjust them in the target system.
  
  
  
  Data Validation:
  
  Validate the data being processed to ensure it meets the criteria for the derivation steps.
  Check if there are any missing or incorrect entries in the master data that could affect the derivation.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If the issue persists, consider debugging the derivation process to identify where the breakdown occurs. This may require technical expertise in ABAP or CO-PA configuration.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  SPRO for configuration settings.
  KE4S for CO-PA reporting.
  
  
  Documentation: Review SAP Help documentation for CO-PA configuration and derivation steps for more detailed guidance.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address known issues or provide patches related to this error message.
  
  If the problem continues after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with an SAP expert or reach out to SAP support for further assistance.