How To Fix IST_EBS186 - The action category could not be determined

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IST_EBS - Interface Between IS-T and External Billing System

• Message number: 186

• Message text: The action category could not be determined

What causes this issue?

The FKK_AKTIV_GET_CURRENT_ACTIVITY function module could not determine
the action.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Contact your system administrator.

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 IST_EBS186 - The action category could not be determined ?

  The SAP error message IST_EBS186, which states "The action category could not be determined," typically occurs in the context of Electronic Bank Statement (EBS) processing. This error indicates that the system is unable to identify the appropriate action category for a specific transaction or entry in the bank statement.
  Causes:
  
  Missing Configuration: The action category may not be configured correctly in the system. This can happen if the necessary settings for the bank statement processing are incomplete or incorrect.
  Incorrect Mapping: The mapping between the bank statement data and the action categories in SAP may not be set up properly. This can occur if the bank statement format does not match the expected format in SAP.
  Data Issues: There may be issues with the data in the bank statement itself, such as missing or incorrect information that prevents the system from determining the action category.
  Custom Development: If there are custom developments or enhancements in the EBS processing, they may interfere with the standard determination of action categories.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Go to the configuration settings for Electronic Bank Statement processing in SAP (Transaction code: OBBA or similar).
  Ensure that the action categories are defined correctly and that the necessary mapping is in place.
  
  
  
  Review Mapping:
  
  Verify the mapping of the bank statement format to the action categories. This can be done in the configuration settings where you define the bank statement formats and their corresponding action categories.
  
  
  
  Analyze Bank Statement Data:
  
  Check the bank statement file for any anomalies or missing information. Ensure that the data adheres to the expected format and contains all necessary fields.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If you have access to debugging tools, you can analyze the program logic to see where the determination of the action category is failing. This may require technical expertise.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or notes related to Electronic Bank Statement processing for any known issues or additional configuration steps that may be required.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. They may provide specific notes or patches that address the issue.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as OBBA (for configuring EBS), FEBAN (for processing bank statements), and others related to bank accounting.
  SAP Notes: Search for SAP Notes related to EBS and the specific error message for any updates or fixes provided by SAP.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.