How To Fix KX880 - Enter a valid characteristic with time reference

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KX - EC-EIS/EC-BP: Data basis, data collection

• Message number: 880

• Message text: Enter a valid characteristic with time reference

What causes this issue?

The reference field must be a time-based characteristic.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Choose a time-based characteristic using the possible entries under F4.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KX880 - Enter a valid characteristic with time reference ?

  The SAP error message KX880 ("Enter a valid characteristic with time reference") typically occurs in the context of SAP Controlling (CO) when working with characteristics in the context of Profitability Analysis (CO-PA) or other areas where time-dependent characteristics are used.
  Cause:
  This error usually arises when:
  
  Invalid Characteristic: The characteristic you are trying to use does not have a time reference or is not defined correctly in the system.
  Missing Time Reference: The characteristic you are trying to enter requires a time reference (like a date or period), but it has not been provided or is incorrect.
  Configuration Issues: There may be issues with the configuration of the characteristics in the system, such as missing settings in the characteristic definition.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the KX880 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Definition:
  
  Go to the configuration settings for the characteristic in question. Ensure that it is defined as a time-dependent characteristic.
  Verify that the characteristic is correctly set up in the relevant InfoObject or data structure.
  
  
  
  Provide Time Reference:
  
  Ensure that you are entering a valid time reference (like a date or period) when prompted. This may involve checking the format and ensuring it aligns with the expected input.
  
  
  
  Review Data Entry:
  
  Double-check the data you are entering to ensure it meets the requirements of the system. Look for any typos or incorrect values.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources related to the specific module you are working with (e.g., CO-PA) to understand the requirements for characteristics and time references.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to access and modify the characteristics in question.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide more specific guidance based on your system configuration.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to CO-PA and characteristics, such as KE30 (Report Painter) or KEDR (Display Actual Line Items).
  Training and Documentation: Consider training resources or documentation on SAP CO-PA and characteristics to better understand how to work with time-dependent data.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the KX880 error and implement a solution to resolve it.