How To Fix IST_EBS214 - CO-PA characteristic is initial for characteristic val. &1 in op. con. &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 214

• Message text: CO-PA characteristic is initial for characteristic val. &1 in op. con. &2

What causes this issue?

The external characteristic has been defined in Customizing table
IST_EBS_TOI_COPA (<DS:SIMG.IST_IF_TOICOPA001>Define CO-PA
Characteristic Derivations for Postings</>) but has not been allocated
a corresponding CO-PA characteristic.

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?

Check whether IST_EBS_TOI_COPA was correctly maintained in IMG activity
<DS:SIMG.IST_IF_TOICOPA001>Define CO-PA Characteristic Derivations for
Postings</>. Enter a corresponding CO-PA characteristic for your
external characteristic.

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_EBS214 - CO-PA characteristic is initial for characteristic val. &1 in op. con. &2 ?

  The SAP error message IST_EBS214 indicates that a CO-PA (Controlling-Profitability Analysis) characteristic is initial (empty) for a specific characteristic value in the operating concern. This typically occurs during the posting of a document or during the execution of a report that requires certain characteristics to be filled.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Data: The characteristic value for the specified CO-PA characteristic is not populated in the document or master data. This can happen if the data entry is incomplete or if the relevant master data (like cost centers, profit centers, etc.) is not maintained properly.
  Configuration Issues: The configuration of the operating concern may not be set up correctly, leading to missing characteristics that are required for the analysis.
  Data Transfer Issues: If data is being transferred from another system or module, there may be issues in the data transfer process that result in missing values.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Master Data: Ensure that all relevant master data is maintained correctly. This includes checking the characteristics in the master data for the relevant profit centers, cost centers, or any other related entities.
  Review Document Entries: If the error occurs during document posting, review the document entries to ensure that all required fields are filled in. Make sure that the characteristic values are not left blank.
  Configuration Review: Check the configuration of the operating concern in CO-PA. Ensure that all necessary characteristics are defined and that they are correctly assigned to the operating concern.
  Data Consistency Check: Run consistency checks in the system to identify any inconsistencies in the data that may lead to this error.
  Error Logs: Review any error logs or messages that may provide additional context about the issue. This can help in identifying the specific characteristic that is causing the problem.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like KE52 (Change Profitability Segment), KE53 (Display Profitability Segment), or KEDR (Repost CO-PA Data) to investigate and correct the issue.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional guidance on troubleshooting.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation on CO-PA configuration and data entry to ensure compliance with best practices.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.