How To Fix SO852 - Start of activation cannot be before today

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SO - SAPoffice: message texts

• Message number: 852

• Message text: Start of activation cannot be before today

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SO852 - Start of activation cannot be before today ?

  The SAP error message SO852 ("Start of activation cannot be before today") typically occurs when you are trying to schedule or activate a process (like a job, task, or event) with a start date that is set in the past. This is a common validation check in SAP to ensure that processes are not scheduled retroactively.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Date Input: The start date for the activation or scheduling is set to a date that is earlier than the current date.
  System Date Issues: The system date may be incorrectly set, leading to confusion about what constitutes "today."
  User Error: The user may have mistakenly entered the wrong date.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check and Update the Date:
  
  Review the date you have entered for the activation or scheduling.
  Change the start date to today or a future date.
  
  
  
  Verify System Date:
  
  Ensure that the system date is correct. You can check this by using transaction code SM51 to view the system time or by checking the server settings.
  
  
  
  User Training:
  
  If this error occurs frequently, consider providing training or documentation to users on how to correctly enter dates in the system.
  
  
  
  Error Handling:
  
  Implement error handling in your processes to catch this error and provide a user-friendly message or prompt to correct the date.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on what you are trying to activate, you may be using different transaction codes (e.g., SM37 for job monitoring, SOST for sending emails, etc.).
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or patches related to this error message, as there may be specific fixes or enhancements provided by SAP.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for more details on scheduling and activating processes, as well as best practices for date management.
  
  By ensuring that the start date is set correctly and that the system date is accurate, you should be able to resolve the SO852 error effectively.