How To Fix FI257 - The activity must either begin with &1 or be empty


FI257 - Overview

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: FI - TR-FM Funds Management

  • Message number: 257

  • Message text: The activity must either begin with &1 or be empty

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  • 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.

    Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.



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FI257 - Details

  • The SAP error message FI257 ("The activity must either begin with &1 or be empty") typically occurs in the context of financial transactions, particularly when dealing with cost centers, internal orders, or other financial postings. This error indicates that the system expects a specific format for the activity type or that the field must be left empty.
    
    Cause: Incorrect Activity Type: The activity type entered does not start with the required character or string defined in the system configuration. Field Validation: The field may have validation rules that enforce specific formats or prefixes for the activity type.
    Configuration Issues: There may be issues in the configuration of the controlling area or the activity types that are set up in the system.
    Solution: Check Activity Type: Ensure that the activity type you are entering starts with the required prefix (as indicated by &1 in the error message). If you are unsure what the prefix should be, consult

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