How To Fix KH278 - The special period entered as the "Period/year" value is not permitted

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KH - CO-PA Reporting

• Message number: 278

• Message text: The special period entered as the "Period/year" value is not permitted

What causes this issue?

In the selection screen (or in the report definition), you entered a
special period under <LS>Period/year</> for a variable defined in the
form. This entry is not permitted because you have used this variable
in the form to define calculations in certain rows or columns. The
calculation cannot be executed using a special period.

System Response

The program has to terminate processing.

Procedure for System Administrators

When you next execute the report, enter a valid value (not a special
period) in the selection screen. Alternatively, change the report
definition.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KH278 - The special period entered as the "Period/year" value is not permitted ?

  The SAP error message KH278 indicates that the special period entered as the "Period/year" value is not permitted. This error typically occurs in the context of financial postings or reporting when a user attempts to enter a special period that is not configured or allowed in the system.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Special Period: The special period you are trying to use may not be defined in the system configuration.
  Period Status: The special period may be closed or not open for posting.
  Fiscal Year Variant: The fiscal year variant assigned to the company code may not allow the use of the specified special period.
  User Authorization: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to post in the specified special period.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Special Period Configuration:
  
  Go to the configuration settings in SAP (Transaction code: OB29) and verify if the special period you are trying to use is defined and allowed for the fiscal year variant assigned to your company code.
  
  
  
  Open Special Period:
  
  Ensure that the special period is open for posting. You can check this in the period control settings (Transaction code: OB52) to see if the special period is open for the relevant company code and fiscal year.
  
  
  
  Review Fiscal Year Variant:
  
  Check the fiscal year variant assigned to your company code (Transaction code: OBA7) and ensure that it allows for the use of special periods.
  
  
  
  User Authorizations:
  
  Verify that the user has the necessary authorizations to post in the special period. This can be checked with your SAP security team.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If you are unsure about the configuration or the specific settings, consult the SAP documentation or reach out to your SAP support team for assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  OB29: Configuration for Special Periods
  OB52: Maintain Periods for Posting
  OBA7: Define Fiscal Year Variants
  
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues related to this error message.
  
  
  User Training: Ensure that users are trained on the correct procedures for entering special periods to avoid this error in the future.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the KH278 error and successfully post in the desired special period.