How To Fix WRF_ARTICLE_SCREENS026 - The definition of the validity intervals must be gap-free

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WRF_ARTICLE_SCREENS - Message for Errors in Material Screens

• Message number: 026

• Message text: The definition of the validity intervals must be gap-free

What causes this issue?

The current assignments do not form an uninterrupted series. Under
certain circumstances, this is not permitted. In the following cases,
gaps are not permitted.
If multiple assignment is activated and a main assignment is maintained,
this assignment must be defined without gaps to 31.12.9999.
If the method <ZK>VALIDITY_PERIOD_CHECK</> of the BAdI
<ZK>BADI_MATGRP_HIER_CHK</> was used to forbid gaps, all assignments
must be (including the secondary assignments when multiple assignment is
activated) without gaps.
If the method <ZK>ARTICLE_MANDATORY_CHECK</> of the BAdI
<ZK>BADI_MATGRP_HIER_CHK</> was used to activate a mandatory assignment,
there must be at least one assignment with uninterrupted validity to
31.12.9999.
When multiple assignment is valid, the check for gaps is run for all
assignments in a category. When multiple assignment is not valid, the
check for gaps is run for all assignments in the entire hierarchy.

System Response

The system cannot transfer the entered assignments.

How to fix this error?

Adjust the assignments to ensure that there are no gaps.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WRF_ARTICLE_SCREENS026 - The definition of the validity intervals must be gap-free ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  WRF_ARTICLE_SCREENS026: The definition of the validity intervals must be gap-free
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you define validity intervals (date ranges) for an article (material) or related master data in SAP, and there are gaps between these intervals. In other words, the system expects the validity periods to be continuous without any breaks or overlaps, but it has detected one or more gaps between the defined intervals.
  For example, if you have validity intervals like:
  
  01.01.2023 to 31.01.2023
  02.02.2023 to 28.02.2023
  
  There is a gap on 01.02.2023, which causes the error.
  
  Explanation:
  In SAP, certain master data objects (like articles in Retail or materials in MM) require validity intervals to be defined continuously to ensure consistent data processing and reporting. Gaps in validity intervals can lead to inconsistencies or undefined behavior in processes that rely on these intervals.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Validity Intervals:
  
  Review the validity intervals defined for the article or related data.
  Identify any gaps between the intervals.
  
  
  
  Make Intervals Gap-Free:
  
  Adjust the intervals so that the end date of one interval is immediately followed by the start date of the next interval.
  For example, if one interval ends on 31.01.2023, the next should start on 01.02.2023.
  
  
  
  Use SAP Transactions or Screens:
  
  Use the relevant transaction or screen where the validity intervals are maintained (e.g., article master maintenance in SAP Retail).
  Correct the intervals directly in the system.
  
  
  
  Save and Re-validate:
  
  After correcting the intervals, save the data.
  The error should no longer appear if the intervals are continuous.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  This error is common in SAP Retail (IS-Retail) when maintaining articles or assortments.
  Validity intervals are often used for pricing, assortment assignment, or article attributes.
  Ensuring gap-free intervals is important for processes like assortment planning, pricing validity, and reporting.
  If you are using custom developments or interfaces, ensure that the data being uploaded or transferred respects the gap-free interval rule.
  Sometimes, the error can also be triggered by overlapping intervals, so check for overlaps as well.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Error
  WRF_ARTICLE_SCREENS026: The definition of the validity intervals must be gap-free
  
  
  Cause
  Gaps exist between defined validity intervals for an article or related master data
  
  
  Solution
  Adjust intervals to be continuous without gaps or overlaps; ensure end date +1 = start date of next interval
  
  
  Related Info
  Common in SAP Retail; affects article master, pricing, assortment validity intervals
  
  
  
  
  If you need help identifying the exact intervals causing the issue, you can often find them in the article master data or related tables (e.g., MARC, MVKE, or retail-specific tables like WRF_ARTICLE).
  
  Let me know if you want guidance on how to check or fix this in a specific SAP module or transaction!