How To Fix PB123 - No controlling area could be determined

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PB - PD: Message IDs Org. Management

• Message number: 123

• Message text: No controlling area could be determined

What causes this issue?

No controlling area could be determined.

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?

If cost distribution is maintained in Personnel Administration
(transaction PA30 with infotype 0027), check in Customizing whether a
controlling area is assigned to the company code.
If cost distribution is maintained in Organizational Management
(transaction PP01, PPOME or PPOM_OLD with infotype 1018), enter a
controlling area.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PB123 - No controlling area could be determined ?

  The SAP error message "PB123 No controlling area could be determined" typically occurs in the context of controlling (CO) module transactions, particularly when trying to post or process financial documents that require a controlling area to be specified. This error indicates that the system is unable to find a controlling area associated with the relevant company code or other organizational units involved in the transaction.
  Causes:
  
  Missing Configuration: The controlling area may not be properly configured or assigned to the company code in the system.
  Incorrect Company Code: The company code being used in the transaction may not be linked to any controlling area.
  Master Data Issues: The master data for the relevant cost centers, internal orders, or profit centers may not be correctly set up or may be missing.
  Transaction Type: The transaction being executed may not be compatible with the controlling area settings.
  Authorization Issues: Sometimes, the user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the controlling area.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Go to the SAP Customizing Implementation Guide (SPRO) and navigate to Controlling > General Controlling > Organization > Assign Company Code to Controlling Area. Ensure that the company code is correctly assigned to a controlling area.
  
  
  
  Verify Master Data:
  
  Check the master data for cost centers, internal orders, and profit centers to ensure they are assigned to the correct controlling area.
  Use transaction codes like KS03 (Display Cost Center) or KO03 (Display Internal Order) to verify the settings.
  
  
  
  Review Transaction Settings:
  
  Ensure that the transaction you are trying to execute is compatible with the controlling area settings. For example, check if the document type or posting key is appropriate.
  
  
  
  Check User Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the controlling area. This can be checked with the help of your SAP security team.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help files related to the specific transaction you are trying to execute for any additional requirements or settings.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If the issue persists, consider debugging the transaction to identify where the system is failing to determine the controlling area.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SPRO (for configuration), KS01/KS02 (for creating/updating cost centers), and KSB1 (for displaying cost center reports).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Community Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or support channels for additional insights and solutions from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue related to the "PB123 No controlling area could be determined" error message in SAP.