How To Fix J2738 - &4 Data inconsistency in period &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

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

• Message number: 738

• Message text: &4 Data inconsistency in period &1

What causes this issue?

Within a period, only one profitability segment (represented by the
number PAOBJNR) can have value fields (aggregated, totaled) that have a
value other than zero.
In the period '&V1&' at least two profitability segments have value
fields that have a value other than zero. This is a serious data
inconsistency.

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

System Response

The system did not cost the transaction for the affected period. The
system continues general costing, whereas preliminary costing ends in a
short dump.

How to fix this error?

If you cannot solve the problem yourself, inform SAP.

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 J2738 - &4 Data inconsistency in period &1 ?

  The SAP error message J2738, which indicates "Data inconsistency in period &1," typically arises during the processing of financial data, particularly in the context of controlling (CO) or financial accounting (FI) modules. This error suggests that there is a mismatch or inconsistency in the data for a specific period, which can prevent further processing or reporting.
  Causes:
  
  Data Entry Errors: Incorrect or incomplete data entries in financial documents or master data.
  Posting Period Issues: Transactions may have been posted in a closed period or in a period that is not open for posting.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration settings in the controlling or financial modules.
  Data Migration Issues: Problems during data migration from legacy systems to SAP, leading to inconsistencies.
  Parallel Accounting: Issues related to parallel ledgers or different accounting principles that may not align properly.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Posting Periods: Ensure that the posting period for the transactions is open. You can do this by checking the period status in the transaction code OB52.
  Review Data Entries: Go through the relevant financial documents and master data to identify any inconsistencies or errors. Correct any discrepancies found.
  Run Consistency Checks: Use SAP tools or reports to run consistency checks on the financial data. This can help identify specific inconsistencies that need to be addressed.
  Reconcile Accounts: Perform account reconciliations to ensure that all accounts are balanced and that there are no discrepancies.
  Consult SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message. There may be patches or updates that resolve known issues.
  Engage Technical Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or a consultant who specializes in SAP FI/CO for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as FB03 (Display Document), FBL1N (Vendor Line Item Display), and FBL3N (G/L Account Line Item Display) to investigate the data.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to financial accounting and controlling for best practices in data management and error resolution.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the underlying issues causing the J2738 error message in SAP.