How To Fix T1218 - Termination date falls before or on contract start date (&)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: T1 - Financial instruments

• Message number: 218

• Message text: Termination date falls before or on contract start date (&)

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 T1218 - Termination date falls before or on contract start date (&) ?

  The SAP error message T1218, which states "Termination date falls before or on contract start date," typically occurs in the context of contract management within SAP. This error indicates that there is a logical inconsistency in the dates specified for a contract. Specifically, the termination date of the contract is set to a date that is either before or the same as the contract's start date, which is not permissible.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Date Entry: The termination date has been entered incorrectly, either manually or through a data import.
  System Configuration: There may be issues with the configuration of the contract management module that does not allow for proper date validation.
  Data Migration Issues: If data has been migrated from another system, the dates may not have been correctly aligned or validated.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Dates: Review the contract details and ensure that the termination date is set to a date that is after the contract start date.
  
  Navigate to the contract in question and verify the start and termination dates.
  If the termination date is incorrect, update it to a valid date.
  
  
  
  Validation Rules: Ensure that any validation rules or configurations in the SAP system are correctly set up to prevent such errors in the future.
  
  
  Data Correction: If the error is due to data migration, you may need to correct the data in the source system or directly in SAP to ensure that the dates are valid.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on managing contract dates and resolving related errors.
  
  
  Contact Support: If the issue persists after checking the dates and configurations, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use specific transaction codes related to contract management (e.g., ME31K for creating contracts, ME32K for changing contracts) to access and modify contract details.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional context on contract date management.
  User Training: Ensure that users involved in contract management are trained on the importance of date accuracy and the implications of incorrect date entries.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the T1218 error and ensure that your contract dates are correctly configured.