How To Fix H1279 - The validity period of financial year &1 cannot be changed

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: H1 - Messages Used in HR Funds and Position Management

• Message number: 279

• Message text: The validity period of financial year &1 cannot be changed

What causes this issue?

You cannot change the validity period of financial year &V1& because
budget structure elements have already been created for the year in
question.

System Response

Action was terminated.

How to fix this error?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

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 H1279 - The validity period of financial year &1 cannot be changed ?

  The SAP error message H1279 indicates that there is an attempt to change the validity period of a financial year that is not allowed. This typically occurs when you try to modify the fiscal year settings in a way that conflicts with existing data or configurations.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Transactions: There may be existing financial transactions or postings that fall within the financial year you are trying to change. SAP does not allow changes to the validity period of a financial year if there are already posted documents within that period.
  Configuration Settings: The financial year settings may be locked or restricted due to configuration settings in the system.
  Period Closing: If the financial year has been closed or if certain periods within that year have been closed, changes to the validity period will not be permitted.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Existing Transactions: Review the financial transactions that have been posted in the financial year you are trying to change. If there are postings, you will need to reverse or delete them before making changes.
  Unlock the Year: If the financial year is locked, you may need to unlock it. This can typically be done by adjusting the period control settings in the configuration.
  Consult Configuration: Review the configuration settings in the SAP system to ensure that there are no restrictions preventing the change. This may involve checking the settings in the Financial Accounting (FI) module.
  Use Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like OB29 (for fiscal year variant) to check and modify the fiscal year settings, but ensure that you have the necessary authorizations.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help files for specific instructions related to your version of SAP, as the steps may vary slightly.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as OB29 (Fiscal Year Variant), OB52 (Open and Close Posting Periods), and OBY6 (Fiscal Year Change).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or additional guidance related to this error message.
  User Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to financial year settings.
  Testing in Development: If possible, test any changes in a development or sandbox environment before applying them to the production system to avoid unintended consequences.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a consultant who specializes in SAP Financial Accounting.