How To Fix J4020 - Controlling area &1 not defined in sender record no. &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: J4 - External Data Transfer

• Message number: 020

• Message text: Controlling area &1 not defined in sender record no. &2

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.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message J4020 - Controlling area &1 not defined in sender record no. &2 ?

  The SAP error message J4020 indicates that there is an issue with the controlling area in the context of a sender record. Specifically, it means that the controlling area specified in the sender record is not defined or recognized in the system. This error typically occurs during processes related to cost accounting, such as when trying to post a transaction or execute a report that involves controlling areas.
  Cause:
  
  Undefined Controlling Area: The controlling area specified in the sender record does not exist in the system.
  Incorrect Configuration: The controlling area may not be properly configured or may have been deleted or changed.
  Data Entry Error: There may be a typographical error in the controlling area code entered in the sender record.
  Cross-Company Code Issues: If the sender record is associated with a different company code, it may not be linked to the controlling area correctly.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Controlling Area Configuration:
  
  Go to the SAP configuration (transaction code SPRO) and navigate to the controlling area settings.
  Ensure that the controlling area in question is defined and active.
  
  
  
  Verify Sender Record:
  
  Check the sender record (the record number mentioned in the error message) to ensure that the controlling area is correctly specified.
  Make sure there are no typographical errors in the controlling area code.
  
  
  
  Cross-Check Company Code:
  
  Ensure that the company code associated with the sender record is linked to the correct controlling area.
  You can check this in the configuration settings for company codes and controlling areas.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review any relevant documentation or notes related to the specific transaction or process you are trying to execute to ensure that all prerequisites are met.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance. They may provide additional insights or patches if this is a known issue.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may find it useful to use transaction codes such as OKKP (Controlling Area) to view and manage controlling area settings.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or updates related to this error message.
  Documentation: Review SAP Help documentation for more details on controlling areas and their configuration.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue related to the J4020 error message in SAP.