How To Fix RM870 - Negative activities only for delta activity postings

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RM - Messages for Repetitive Manufacturing

• Message number: 870

• Message text: Negative activities only for delta activity postings

What causes this issue?

You tried to post negative activities in the activity backflush.
You entered a reference quantity of above or below 0.

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

System Response

The system only allows negative activities in delta activity backflush.
Delta postings are characterized by the fact that the reference
quantity is zero.
It only makes sense to use negative activities for correction purposes.
You cannot post a negative quantity for total activities.

How to fix this error?

Post a positive activity or enter a reference quantity of zero in the
initial screen.

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 RM870 - Negative activities only for delta activity postings ?

  The SAP error message RM870 ("Negative activities only for delta activity postings") typically occurs in the context of activity allocation in SAP Controlling (CO). This error indicates that there is an attempt to post negative activity quantities in a situation where only delta activity postings are allowed.
  Cause:
  
  Negative Activity Posting: The error arises when there is an attempt to post a negative quantity for an activity that is not configured to allow such postings. In SAP, negative postings are generally restricted to delta postings, which are adjustments made to correct previous postings.
  Configuration Settings: The configuration settings for the activity types or the controlling area may not allow negative postings for certain activities.
  Posting Type: The type of posting being attempted (e.g., original vs. delta) may not align with the system's configuration.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Activity Type Configuration:
  
  Go to the configuration settings for the activity types in the SAP system (Transaction code: OAYR).
  Ensure that the activity type is set up to allow negative postings if that is the intended action.
  
  
  
  Use Delta Postings:
  
  If you need to adjust previous postings, ensure that you are using the correct delta posting method. This typically involves using specific transaction codes or settings that allow for adjustments rather than original postings.
  
  
  
  Review the Posting Document:
  
  Check the document that is causing the error to ensure that it is correctly set up for the type of posting you are trying to perform. Make sure that the quantities and other parameters are correct.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help resources related to activity allocation and postings to understand the specific requirements and configurations needed for your scenario.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists and you cannot find a resolution, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. They can provide guidance based on the specific configuration and version of your SAP system.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as:
  
  KSU5: For activity allocation.
  KSV5: For displaying activity allocation.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message, as they may provide additional insights or patches that address the issue.
  Training and Documentation: Consider training resources or documentation on SAP Controlling and activity management to better understand the underlying processes and configurations.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the RM870 error and implement a suitable solution.