How To Fix RETMFI029 - &1: business area balance sheet is active, enter a business area

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RETMFI - Messages for Posting Terms

• Message number: 029

• Message text: &1: business area balance sheet is active, enter a business area

What causes this issue?

The system settings require the entry of a business area.
An entered business area automatically applies to the lower-level
objects. Therefore, it is sufficient to maintain the business area at
the business entity level.
An entry in the lower-level objects (building, land, rental object, or
real estate contract) is only necessary if the business area differs
from the higher-level object.
Changes to the business area automatically have an effect on all
lower-level objects for which no business area was explicitly defined.

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?

Enter the business area (if possible at business entity level).

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 RETMFI029 - &1: business area balance sheet is active, enter a business area ?

  The SAP error message RETMFI029 indicates that a business area balance sheet is active in the system, and as a result, the system requires you to enter a business area for the transaction you are trying to execute. This error typically occurs in the context of financial accounting when the configuration for business areas is set up to require a business area for postings.
  Cause:
  
  Business Area Configuration: The system is configured to require business area information for financial postings. This is often set in the company code settings or in the financial accounting configuration.
  Missing Business Area: The transaction you are trying to execute does not have a business area specified, which is mandatory due to the active balance sheet for business areas.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Enter a Business Area: When performing the transaction, ensure that you enter a valid business area in the relevant field. This is the most straightforward solution if you have the necessary business area information.
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  If you believe that the business area should not be required for the transaction, you may need to review the configuration settings in SAP.
  Go to the configuration settings for your company code and check the settings for business areas. You can do this by navigating to:
  
  SPRO ? Financial Accounting (New) ? General Ledger Accounting (New) ? Business Area ? Define Business Area.
  
  
  Ensure that the settings align with your business requirements. If you want to allow transactions without a business area, you may need to adjust the configuration.
  
  
  
  Consult with Your SAP Administrator: If you are unsure about making changes to the configuration or if you do not have the necessary permissions, consult with your SAP administrator or a functional consultant who specializes in financial accounting.
  
  
  Review Documentation: Check SAP documentation or help resources for more detailed information on business area settings and requirements.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Business Areas: Business areas are used in SAP to represent different segments of an organization for reporting purposes. They allow for more detailed financial reporting and analysis.
  Financial Accounting (FI): This module in SAP is responsible for managing financial transactions and reporting.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes that may help you navigate the configuration settings, such as OBY6 for company code settings.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the RETMFI029 error and proceed with your financial transactions in SAP.