How To Fix MA178 - When specifying forecast finish, also specify forecast start

MA178 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MA - Sales and Operations Planning

• Message number: 178

• Message text: When specifying forecast finish, also specify forecast start

What causes this issue?

You have specified when the forecast is to finish but not when the
forecast is to start.

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?

Either specify when the forecast is to start, or delete the forecast
finish date and instead enter the number of forecast periods.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MA178 - When specifying forecast finish, also specify forecast start ?

  The SAP error message MA178 indicates that when you are trying to specify a forecast finish date, you also need to provide a forecast start date. This error typically occurs in the context of materials management and forecasting within SAP, particularly when dealing with demand planning or material requirements planning (MRP).
  
  Cause:
  The error arises because the system requires both a start and finish date to properly calculate and manage the forecast. The forecast start date indicates when the forecast period begins, while the finish date indicates when it ends. If only one of these dates is provided, the system cannot process the request correctly, leading to the error message.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MA178 error, you need to ensure that both the forecast start and forecast finish dates are specified in your input. Here are the steps to do this:
  
  
  Access the Forecasting Transaction: Go to the relevant transaction in SAP where you are