How To Fix HREIC_APPL171 - Start date earlier than current date. Category cannot be reactivated

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: HREIC_APPL - Message Class for EIC Application

• Message number: 171

• Message text: Start date earlier than current date. Category cannot be reactivated

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.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message HREIC_APPL171 - Start date earlier than current date. Category cannot be reactivated ?

  The SAP error message HREIC_APPL171 indicates that there is an issue with the start date of a specific category in the system. This error typically arises when you attempt to reactivate a category (such as a position, employee, or other organizational unit) that has a start date set earlier than the current date. This is a common scenario in SAP Human Capital Management (HCM) or Employee Central modules.
  Cause:
  
  Start Date Issue: The category you are trying to reactivate has a start date that is in the past compared to the current date.
  Data Integrity Rules: SAP enforces certain data integrity rules that prevent reactivation of categories with past start dates to maintain consistency in historical data.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check the Start Date: Review the start date of the category you are trying to reactivate. Ensure that it is set to a date that is equal to or later than the current date.
  
  
  Adjust the Start Date: If the start date is indeed in the past, you may need to adjust it to a future date or the current date, depending on your business requirements.
  
  
  Consult with HR or Data Management Team: If you are unsure about changing the start date, consult with your HR or data management team to ensure that any changes comply with your organization's policies.
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: If you have the necessary permissions, you can use transaction codes like PA30 (Maintain HR Master Data) to modify the relevant records.
  
  
  Check for Related Configuration: Sometimes, the error may be related to specific configurations in your SAP system. Ensure that the configuration settings for the category allow for reactivation.
  
  
  Review Documentation: Check SAP documentation or notes related to this error message for any additional insights or specific instructions.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Look for SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional context.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that you have the appropriate roles and permissions to make changes to the HR data.
  Testing Changes: If you make changes to the start date, consider testing in a development or sandbox environment before applying changes in production.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to reach out to SAP support or your internal SAP support team for further assistance.