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How To Fix WXP178 - Different period/fiscal year variants used in source and target steps


SAP Error Message - Details

  • Message type: E = Error

  • Message class: WXP - Retail Planning

  • Message number: 178

  • Message text: Different period/fiscal year variants used in source and target steps

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  • Self-Explanatory Message

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  • What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WXP178 - Different period/fiscal year variants used in source and target steps ?

    Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message WXP178: Different period/fiscal year variants used in source and target steps:


    Error Message

    WXP178: Different period/fiscal year variants used in source and target steps


    Cause

    This error occurs during a data transfer process in SAP BW (Business Warehouse), specifically when you are trying to transfer data between two process chains or data targets (like InfoCubes, DataStore Objects, etc.) that have different period or fiscal year variants defined in their time characteristics.

    • The source object (e.g., an InfoCube or DataStore Object) uses one fiscal year variant (e.g., 0001).
    • The target object uses a different fiscal year variant (e.g., 0002).
    • Since fiscal year variants define how fiscal periods and years are structured (number of periods, start/end dates, special periods), SAP requires that the source and target objects involved in a data transfer have matching fiscal year variants for time characteristics.

    When does it happen?

    • During data activation or data transfer in BW.
    • When you try to execute a process chain step that involves transferring data between objects with mismatched fiscal year variants.
    • When the time characteristic (e.g., 0FISCPER, 0CALMONTH) is defined with different fiscal year variants in source and target.

    Solution

    1. Check Fiscal Year Variants:

      • Identify the fiscal year variant used in the source object.
      • Identify the fiscal year variant used in the target object.
    2. Align Fiscal Year Variants:

      • Change the fiscal year variant in either the source or the target object so that both use the same fiscal year variant.
      • This usually involves:
        • Adjusting the time characteristic in the InfoObjects.
        • Rebuilding or reactivating the affected InfoObjects or InfoCubes.
    3. Steps to check/change fiscal year variant:

      • Go to transaction RSA1 (BW Modeling).
      • Open the InfoObject representing the time characteristic (e.g., 0FISCPER).
      • Check the fiscal year variant assigned to it.
      • If needed, create a new InfoObject with the correct fiscal year variant or adjust the existing one (note: changing fiscal year variant on an existing InfoObject can be complex and may require reloading data).
      • Ensure that both source and target objects use the same InfoObject with the same fiscal year variant.
    4. Reprocess the data transfer:

      • After aligning fiscal year variants, re-execute the process chain or data transfer step.

    Additional Information

    • Fiscal Year Variant (FYV): Defines the structure of fiscal years in SAP, including the number of posting periods, special periods, and their start/end dates.
    • Fiscal year variants are maintained in transaction OB29.
    • Time characteristics like 0FISCPER (Fiscal Period), 0FISCYEAR (Fiscal Year), and 0CALMONTH (Calendar Month) are often involved.
    • Mismatches often happen when BW objects are created in different clients or systems with different fiscal year settings.
    • Changing fiscal year variants in BW objects after data load can be complex and may require data reloading or object recreation.

    Summary

    Aspect Details
    Cause Source and target BW objects use different fiscal year variants in their time characteristics.
    Effect Data transfer or activation fails with error WXP178.
    Solution Align fiscal year variants in source and target objects by adjusting InfoObjects or BW objects.
    Transaction RSA1 (BW Modeling), OB29 (Fiscal Year Variant maintenance)
    Notes Changing fiscal year variants may require data reload or object recreation.

    If you need help identifying which fiscal year variants are used or how to change them in your BW system, please provide more details about your BW objects and time characteristics.

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