How To Fix KE396 - Inconsistency between a document field and the prof. segment number

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KE -

• Message number: 396

• Message text: Inconsistency between a document field and the prof. segment number

What causes this issue?

A line item was assigned to a profitability segment (number &V1&) which
has the value &V4& for characteristic &V2&. The original document (FI
document, sales order, internal order, etc.), however, contains &V3& in
this field. It is therefore inconsistent with the profitability segment
found.

System Response

The characteristics in Profitability Analysis (CO-PA) must have the
same characteristic values as the original document. For example, you
cannot assign a sales order to a different customer or product than the
one contained in the original sales order. If you wish to fill the
characteristics with different contents, you must change the original
fields.

How to fix this error?

Enter the correct characteristic values on the CO-PA assignment screen.
The system will automatically assign a corresponding profitability
segment number. If it is not possible to enter values in some of these
fields, delete the entire assignment to a profitability segment number
and then enter it again.
As a rule, you should first enter the fields in the original sender
document and then make the assignment to a profitability segment.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KE396 - Inconsistency between a document field and the prof. segment number ?

  The SAP error message KE396, which states "Inconsistency between a document field and the prof. segment number," typically occurs in the context of Profitability Analysis (CO-PA) when there is a mismatch between the data in the document and the expected values in the profitability segment.
  Cause:
  
  
  Data Inconsistency: This error often arises when there is a discrepancy between the document fields and the profitability segment number. This could be due to:
  
  Missing or incorrect assignment of characteristics in the document.
  Changes in the configuration of the profitability segments that are not reflected in the existing documents.
  Data corruption or inconsistencies in the database.
  
  
  
  Configuration Issues: If the configuration of the profitability analysis is not set up correctly, it can lead to inconsistencies. This includes issues with the characteristics or value fields that are defined in the CO-PA settings.
  
  
  Document Changes: If a document has been changed after it was posted, and the changes affect the profitability segment, this can lead to inconsistencies.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Document Fields: Review the document that is causing the error. Ensure that all required fields are filled correctly and that they match the expected values in the profitability segment.
  
  
  Review Configuration: Check the configuration settings for CO-PA. Ensure that the characteristics and value fields are correctly defined and that they match the requirements of the documents being processed.
  
  
  Repost or Adjust Documents: If the document is found to be incorrect, you may need to reverse or adjust the document to correct the inconsistencies. This may involve reposting the document with the correct values.
  
  
  Data Consistency Check: Use transaction codes like KE4S (for CO-PA) to check for inconsistencies in the profitability segments. This can help identify any discrepancies that need to be addressed.
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error. There may be patches or updates that resolve known issues related to this error message.
  
  
  Engage Technical Support: If the issue persists and cannot be resolved through the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal technical team for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as KE30 (for CO-PA reports), KE4S (for segment reporting), and KE5Z (for segment analysis).
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to CO-PA configuration and data consistency checks.
  User Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the KE396 error in SAP.