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How To Fix WS438 - The cash discount base in document currency is &1


SAP Error Message - Details

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

  • Message number: 438

  • Message text: The cash discount base in document currency is &1

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  • 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.



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Smart SAP Assistant

  • What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WS438 - The cash discount base in document currency is &1 ?

    SAP Error Message:
    WS438 - The cash discount base in document currency is &1


    Cause:

    This error occurs during the posting of a financial document (usually in Accounts Payable or Accounts Receivable) when the system detects an inconsistency or an unexpected value in the cash discount base amount in the document currency. Specifically, the cash discount base amount calculated or entered is either zero, negative, or does not match the expected value based on the invoice and payment terms.

    Common causes include:

    • Incorrect or missing cash discount base amount in the document.
    • Currency differences or rounding issues causing the cash discount base to be zero or invalid.
    • Incorrect configuration of payment terms or cash discount indicators.
    • Manual changes or overrides in the document that lead to inconsistent cash discount base values.
    • Exchange rate differences affecting the calculation of the cash discount base in document currency.

    Explanation:

    The cash discount base is the amount on which the cash discount is calculated. It is usually the invoice amount minus any deductions or adjustments. If this base is incorrect, the system cannot correctly calculate the cash discount, leading to this error.


    Solution:

    1. Check the Document Entries:

      • Verify the amounts entered in the invoice or payment document.
      • Ensure that the cash discount base amount is correctly calculated and not zero or negative.
      • Check if any manual changes have been made to the cash discount base or related fields.
    2. Review Payment Terms:

      • Confirm that the payment terms assigned to the vendor/customer are correct.
      • Check if the payment terms include valid cash discount percentages and base calculation rules.
    3. Currency and Exchange Rate:

      • Verify the currency of the document and the exchange rate used.
      • Check for rounding differences that might cause the cash discount base to be zero or invalid.
      • If necessary, adjust the exchange rate or rounding settings.
    4. Recalculate or Adjust the Cash Discount Base:

      • Use transaction codes like FB02 (Change Document) or FB03 (Display Document) to review and correct the cash discount base.
      • If the system allows, manually adjust the cash discount base to a valid amount.
    5. Check Configuration:

      • Review the configuration of cash discount calculation in SPRO under Financial Accounting ? Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable ? Business Transactions ? Incoming Invoices/Outgoing Invoices ? Cash Discount.
      • Ensure that the calculation rules and base amounts are correctly defined.
    6. Consult SAP Notes:

      • Search for relevant SAP Notes using the error message or message number WS438 for any known bugs or patches.

    Related Information:

    • Transaction Codes:

      • FB60 - Enter Vendor Invoice
      • FB70 - Enter Customer Invoice
      • F-28 - Post Incoming Payments
      • F-53 - Post Outgoing Payments
      • FB02 - Change Document
      • FB03 - Display Document
    • Configuration Path:

      • SPRO ? Financial Accounting ? Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable ? Business Transactions ? Incoming Invoices/Outgoing Invoices ? Cash Discount
    • Notes:

      • Sometimes, this error can be related to specific SAP Notes addressing cash discount calculation issues or currency rounding problems. Check the SAP Support Portal for notes related to WS438.

    Summary:

    The error WS438 indicates a problem with the cash discount base amount in the document currency, often due to incorrect amounts, currency rounding, or payment term configuration. To resolve it, verify and correct the cash discount base, review payment terms and currency settings, and ensure proper configuration of cash discount calculation.


    If you provide the exact scenario or document type where this error occurs, I can help with more specific troubleshooting steps.

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