How To Fix WS038 - Description for settlement process type & does not exist in language &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 038

• Message text: Description for settlement process type & does not exist in language &

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WS038 - Description for settlement process type & does not exist in language & ?

  The SAP error message WS038 typically appears during the settlement process in Controlling (CO) when the system cannot find the description for a settlement process type in the specified language.
  
  Error Message
  WS038:
  
  Description for settlement process type & does not exist in language &
  
  The first & is replaced by the settlement process type (e.g., PER).
  The second & is replaced by the language key (e.g., EN).
  
  
  Cause
  This error occurs because the system is trying to display or use the description of a settlement process type in a particular language, but the description is missing or not maintained in that language.
  Settlement process types are defined in customizing, and their descriptions must be maintained for all relevant languages. If the description is missing for the language in which the user is working, the system cannot display it and throws this error.
  
  Solution
  
  
  Maintain the description for the settlement process type in the required language:
  
  
  Go to transaction SPRO ?
  
  Controlling ? Internal Orders ? Settlement ? Define Settlement Process Types.
  
  
  Select the relevant settlement process type (e.g., PER).
  
  
  Use the Language dropdown to select the language in which the description is missing (e.g., EN for English).
  
  
  Enter the description for the settlement process type.
  
  
  Save your entries.
  
  
  
  
  Alternatively, you can maintain the description via transaction SM30 for the table/view that stores settlement process types descriptions:
  
  
  Table: T8SPT (Settlement Process Types)
  
  
  Use transaction SM30 ? enter T8SPT ? Maintain ? Add or correct the description for the required language.
  
  
  
  
  After maintaining the description, retry the settlement process.
  
  
  
  Additional Information
  
  Settlement process types control how costs are settled from internal orders or other CO objects.
  Descriptions are language-dependent, so if your system supports multiple languages, ensure descriptions are maintained for all relevant languages.
  This error does not indicate a missing settlement process type itself, only the missing description in the language.
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Missing description for settlement process type in the user’s language.
  
  
  Solution
  Maintain the description in SPRO or SM30 for the settlement process type in the required language.
  
  
  Transaction
  SPRO ? Controlling ? Internal Orders ? Settlement ? Define Settlement Process Types
  or SM30 ? T8SPT
  
  
  Effect
  System cannot display the settlement process type description, causing error WS038.
  
  
  
  
  If you maintain the description properly, the error WS038 will be resolved.