How To Fix J2138 - &4: Start of term later than or equal to end of term

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: J2 - Message Class for Development Class JBT

• Message number: 138

• Message text: &4: Start of term later than or equal to end of term

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message J2138 - &4: Start of term later than or equal to end of term ?

  The SAP error message J2138 &4: "Start of term later than or equal to end of term" typically occurs in the context of managing terms and conditions in SAP, particularly in the area of financial accounting or contract management. This error indicates that the start date of a term (e.g., a payment term, contract term, or similar) is set to a date that is either later than or the same as the end date of that term, which is logically incorrect.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Date Entry: The most common cause is that the user has entered the start date and end date incorrectly, leading to a situation where the start date is not before the end date.
  Data Migration Issues: If data has been migrated from another system, there may be inconsistencies in the date formats or values.
  Configuration Errors: In some cases, the configuration settings for terms and conditions may not be set up correctly, leading to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Dates: Review the start and end dates for the term in question. Ensure that the start date is earlier than the end date. If they are the same or if the start date is later, correct the dates accordingly.
  Data Validation: If the error arises during data entry or migration, validate the data to ensure that all date fields are populated correctly and logically.
  Configuration Review: If the issue persists, review the configuration settings related to terms and conditions in SAP. Ensure that all settings are correctly defined and that there are no conflicting rules.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on managing terms and conditions, as there may be additional considerations based on your specific SAP module or version.
  Testing: After making corrections, test the changes in a development or test environment before applying them to the production system to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  User Forums: Consider visiting SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed. Other users may have encountered the same error and can provide insights or solutions.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that may help in managing terms and conditions, such as OBB8 for payment terms or FSP0 for contract management.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message J2138 and ensure that your terms are set up correctly in SAP.