How To Fix ME342 - From month must be earlier than "to" month for comparison period 1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 342

• Message text: From month must be earlier than "to" month for comparison period 1

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME342 - From month must be earlier than "to" month for comparison period 1 ?

  The SAP error message ME342 indicates that there is an issue with the date range specified for a comparison period in a purchasing or materials management context. Specifically, it means that the "from month" you have entered is later than the "to month," which is not valid for the comparison period.
  Cause:
  This error typically occurs when:
  
  The user has entered the "from month" and "to month" values incorrectly in a report or transaction.
  The system is trying to compare data across a time period where the start date is after the end date.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the ME342 error, you should:
  
  Check the Date Inputs: Go back to the transaction or report where you entered the date range. Ensure that the "from month" is indeed earlier than the "to month."
  Correct the Dates: If you find that the dates are reversed, correct them so that the "from month" is earlier than the "to month."
  Validate Other Parameters: Ensure that other parameters related to the comparison period are also set correctly, as they might affect the date validation.
  Re-run the Transaction: After making the necessary corrections, re-run the transaction or report to see if the error persists.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error can occur in various transaction codes related to purchasing and materials management, such as ME2N (Purchase Orders by PO Number), ME3N (Outline Agreements), or ME80FN (General Analyses).
  SAP Notes: If the issue persists or if you believe it is a bug, you can check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  User Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or user manuals for guidance on how to correctly enter date ranges in the specific transaction you are using.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the ME342 error and proceed with your SAP activities.