How To Fix KD281 - The "to" period is earlier than the "from" period

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KD - CO Settlement

• Message number: 281

• Message text: The "to" period is earlier than the "from" period

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KD281 - The "to" period is earlier than the "from" period ?

  The SAP error message KD281, which states "The 'to' period is earlier than the 'from' period," typically occurs in the context of controlling (CO) module transactions, particularly when dealing with planning or reporting activities. This error indicates that the date range specified for a particular operation is incorrect, as the end date (to period) is set before the start date (from period).
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Date Input: The most common cause is that the user has mistakenly entered the "to" period as an earlier date than the "from" period.
  System Configuration: There may be issues with the configuration of the periods in the controlling area or fiscal year settings.
  Data Entry Errors: Manual data entry errors can lead to incorrect period specifications.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Input Values: Review the values entered for the "from" and "to" periods. Ensure that the "to" period is equal to or later than the "from" period.
  Correct the Periods: If the periods are incorrect, adjust them accordingly. For example, if the "from" period is set to January 2023, the "to" period should be set to January 2023 or any later month.
  Review Configuration: If the error persists, check the configuration settings for the controlling area and fiscal year to ensure that they are set up correctly.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance related to the transaction you are working with.
  Seek Help from SAP Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting SAP Notes for any known issues related to this error.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error can occur in various transaction codes related to planning and reporting in the CO module, such as KP06 (Cost Center Planning) or KPF6 (Cost Center Actual/Plan Comparison).
  Fiscal Year Variant: Ensure that the fiscal year variant is correctly defined and that the periods are open for posting.
  User Authorization: Make sure that the user has the necessary authorizations to perform the actions related to the specified periods.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and correct the issue causing the KD281 error in SAP.