How To Fix R1791 - You May Only Change Validity Dates

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R1 - Business Partner Messages from S_BUPA_GENERAL

• Message number: 791

• Message text: You May Only Change Validity Dates

What causes this issue?

When you are carrying out relationship maintenance not in dialog mode,
you should change other data besides validity data.
If you use the classical Business Data Toolset (BDT), only changes to
validity data are permitted.

System Response

The change is not made.

How to fix this error?

Contact SAP. The program might need adjusting to incorporate the BDT in
the subscreen.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message R1791 - You May Only Change Validity Dates ?

  The SAP error message R1791, "You may only change validity dates," typically occurs when you are trying to modify the validity dates of a record in a way that is not allowed by the system's rules or configurations. This error is often encountered in various SAP modules, such as Material Management (MM), Sales and Distribution (SD), or Human Capital Management (HCM), where validity periods are crucial for data integrity.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Date Range: The dates you are trying to set may not fall within the allowed range or may overlap with existing records.
  Locked Records: The record you are trying to change may be locked due to ongoing processes or transactions.
  Authorization Issues: You may not have the necessary permissions to change the validity dates for the specific record.
  Configuration Settings: The system may have specific configurations that restrict changes to validity dates under certain conditions.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Date Validity: Ensure that the dates you are trying to enter are valid and do not conflict with existing records. Make sure the start date is earlier than the end date.
  Unlock Records: If the record is locked, check if there are any ongoing transactions or processes that need to be completed or canceled.
  Review Authorizations: Verify that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to the validity dates. If not, contact your system administrator to obtain the required access.
  Consult Configuration: If the issue persists, consult with your SAP configuration team to review the settings related to validity dates. They may need to adjust the configuration to allow for the changes you are trying to make.
  Use Transaction Codes: Depending on the module, you may need to use specific transaction codes to make changes. For example, in MM, you might use transaction codes like ME22N (Change Purchase Order) or ME32K (Change Contract).
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  Documentation: Review the relevant SAP documentation for the module you are working in to understand the rules governing validity dates.
  Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal IT support team for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the R1791 error and implement a solution to resolve it.