How To Fix RECD018 - The valid-to date must be situated after the valid-from date

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RECD -

• Message number: 018

• Message text: The valid-to date must be situated after the valid-from date

What causes this issue?

The <ZK>Valid from</> date (&V1&) always has to be after the <ZK>Valid
to</> date (&V2&).

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?

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 RECD018 - The valid-to date must be situated after the valid-from date ?

  The SAP error message RECD018 indicates that there is an issue with the date range specified for a record, typically in the context of master data or configuration settings. Specifically, it means that the "valid-to" date must be later than the "valid-from" date. This error often occurs in various SAP modules, such as Materials Management (MM), Sales and Distribution (SD), or Human Capital Management (HCM), where date validity is crucial for data integrity.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Date Entry: The most common cause is that the user has entered a "valid-to" date that is earlier than or the same as the "valid-from" date.
  Data Migration Issues: If data is being imported or migrated from another system, the dates may not have been correctly set.
  System Configuration: In some cases, the configuration settings may not allow for the specified date range due to business rules or constraints.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Dates: Review the "valid-from" and "valid-to" dates entered in the relevant transaction or master data record. Ensure that the "valid-to" date is set to a date that is after the "valid-from" date.
  Adjust Dates: If the dates are incorrect, modify them accordingly. For example, if the "valid-from" date is set to January 1, 2023, the "valid-to" date should be set to January 2, 2023, or any later date.
  Data Validation: If you are importing data, ensure that the data being imported adheres to the date constraints. You may need to clean or validate the data before import.
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the date requirements for a specific transaction or module, refer to the SAP documentation or help files for guidance on date validity rules.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: The error may occur in various transaction codes depending on the context (e.g., MM01 for material master, VA01 for sales orders).
  Date Formats: Ensure that the date format being used is consistent with the system settings (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY vs. MM/DD/YYYY).
  User Permissions: In some cases, users may not have the necessary permissions to change certain records, which could lead to confusion when trying to correct date entries.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes or updates that may address specific issues related to date handling in your version of SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the RECD018 error and ensure that your date entries are valid.