How To Fix IW214 - Reference date is in the future

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: IW - Order Processing

• Message number: 214

• Message text: Reference date is in the future

What causes this issue?

When creating an historical order, you have entered a reference date
which is in the future.

System Response

The system will create an historical order whose reference date is in
the future.

How to fix this error?

Check whether a reference date which is in the future is advisable.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message IW214 - Reference date is in the future ?

  The SAP error message IW214 ("Reference date is in the future") typically occurs in the context of maintenance orders or notifications when a user attempts to create or modify an order with a reference date that is set to a future date. This can happen in various transactions related to maintenance management, such as creating work orders, notifications, or scheduling tasks.
  Cause:
  
  Future Date Entry: The most common cause of this error is that the user has entered a reference date (such as a start date, end date, or planned date) that is beyond the current date.
  System Settings: The system may have settings that restrict the use of future dates for certain operations, especially in maintenance planning.
  User Input Error: The user may have mistakenly entered a date that is not intended, such as a typo or misunderstanding of the date format.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the Date: Verify the reference date you are trying to enter. Ensure that it is not set to a future date unless the system allows it for the specific transaction.
  Adjust the Date: If the date is indeed in the future and should not be, change it to a valid date that is either today or in the past, depending on the context of the transaction.
  Review Configuration: If you believe that future dates should be allowed, check with your SAP administrator or configuration team to see if there are any settings that can be adjusted to permit future dates for the specific transaction.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidelines on date handling in the context of maintenance orders and notifications.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error can occur in various transaction codes related to maintenance, such as IW31 (Create Order), IW32 (Change Order), IW21 (Create Notification), etc.
  User Roles and Authorizations: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to create or modify orders and notifications.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this issue or provide additional context or solutions.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal IT support team for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the IW214 error and proceed with your maintenance tasks in SAP.