--- description: Infotypes in SAP , have a time constraints which determines how they will exist and how they will react when updated. The are three types of Time Constraints in SAP --- Lets look into them in d title: What are Time Constraint? SAP HR Tutorial image: https://www.guru99.com/images/what-are-time-constraint.png --- [Skip to content](#main) **⚡ Smart Summary** Time constraints in SAP HR determine whether an infotype record must exist and how many records may be valid at once. SAP defines three indicators, numbered one, two, and three, governing record collisions. * 🔘 **Definition:** Time constraints control whether an infotype record is mandatory and how many valid records may coexist. * ☑️ **Constraint 1:** A record is mandatory and only one may exist, as with Infotype 0002 (personal data). * ✅ **Constraint 2:** A record is optional, yet only one may exist, as with Infotype 0218 (membership insurance). * 🧪 **Constraint 3:** A record is optional and many may exist, as with Infotype 0015 (additional payments). * 🛠️ **Where stored:** SAP maintains the time constraint indicator in table T582A, with subtype-dependent values held in T591A. * 🤖 **AI and automation:** AI in SAP SuccessFactors can flag record collisions and validate constraints before infotype data is saved. [ Read More ](javascript:void%280%29;) ![Time Constraints in SAP HR]() Infotypes in SAP have time constraints that determine how a record exists and how it reacts when updated. There are three types of time constraints in SAP HR, and each one controls whether a record is mandatory and how many records may be valid at the same time. [](https://www.guru99.com/images/sap/2010/03/sap-time-constraints.jpg) ## Time constraints in SAP HR Let us look at them in detail. ### Time Constraint 1 * For infotypes falling under Time Constraint 1, it is **mandatory** for a record to exist, and **only 1 can exist** at any point in time. * For example, Infotype 0002 (personal data). [](https://www.guru99.com/images/sap/2010/03/sap-time-constraints1.jpg) ### Time Constraint 2 * For infotypes falling under Time Constraint 2, it is **NOT mandatory** for a record to exist, but **only 1 can exist** at any point in time. * For example, Infotype 0218 (membership insurance). [](https://www.guru99.com/images/sap/2010/03/sap-time-constraints2.jpg) ### Time Constraint 3 * For infotypes falling under Time Constraint 3, it is **NOT mandatory** for a record to exist, but **many can exist**. * For example, [SAP Infotype](https://www.guru99.com/what-is-infotype.html) 0015 (additional payments). [](https://www.guru99.com/images/sap/2010/03/sap-time-constraints3.jpg) ## Special Time Constraint Indicators (A, B, T, and Z) Beyond the three numeric time constraints, SAP HR uses four special indicators for infotypes that behave differently. They are stored the same way, in table T591A, but apply stricter rules. | Indicator | Meaning | | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **A** | Only one record may ever exist, valid from 01.01.1800 to 31.12.9999\. The record cannot be split or deleted. | | **B** | Only one record may ever exist for the full validity period, but the record may be deleted. | | **T** | The constraint depends on the subtype, as with Infotype 0006 (Addresses), where each subtype can have its own rule. | | **Z** | Used for time management infotypes; the constraint depends on the class set in view V\_T554S\_I. | Indicators A and B suit infotypes that must hold exactly one lifetime record, while T and Z give SAP the flexibility to vary the rule by subtype or by time-management configuration. ## Time Constraint Reaction Indicators and Collisions When you create or change a record, SAP checks whether it collides with existing records for the same infotype. The **reaction indicator** decides what happens when a collision occurs. The common reaction indicators are: * **E (Error):** The system does not allow the new record and displays the collision. * **W (Warning):** The system warns the user but still permits the entry. * **A (Delimit):** The existing record is delimited so the new one can begin. * **N (No reaction):** No collision check is performed for the pair. For time management infotypes, the collision rules are stored in the views Global Time Constraint Reaction (V\_T554Y) and Time Constraint Reaction to Time Management Infotypes (V\_554Y\_B). Configuring these indicators lets you control, for example, whether an absence may overlap an attendance or must replace it. ### RELATED ARTICLES * [SAP Fast Entry Tutorial: PA70, PA71 ](https://www.guru99.com/sap-fast-entry-tutorial.html "SAP Fast Entry Tutorial: PA70, PA71") * [SAP Payroll Process with Steps & Flowchart ](https://www.guru99.com/overview-of-payroll-process.html "SAP Payroll Process with Steps & Flowchart") * [SAP Wage Type Reporter: PC00\_MXX\_CWTR ](https://www.guru99.com/what-is-wage-type-reporter.html "SAP Wage Type Reporter: PC00_MXX_CWTR") * [What is SAP HR? Introduction to SAP HCM ](https://www.guru99.com/sap-hr-introduction.html "What is SAP HR? Introduction to SAP HCM") ## Time Constraint Examples for Common Infotypes The easiest way to understand time constraints is to see how they apply to infotypes you use every day. The table below maps common infotypes to their usual time constraint. | Infotype | Time Constraint | Reason | | ------------------------------ | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | 0000 Actions | 1 | Every employee must always have one current status. | | 0001 Organizational Assignment | 1 | An employee must belong to exactly one org unit at a time. | | 0002 Personal Data | 1 | One valid set of personal details is mandatory. | | 0006 Addresses | T | Each address subtype follows its own rule. | | 0015 Additional Payments | 3 | Many one-off payments can coexist. | | 0021 Family/Related Person | 3 | An employee can have several dependents. | Checking an infotype’s constraint in table T591A before you configure or load data prevents collision errors and keeps master data consistent. ## FAQs ⚡ Why do infotypes need a time constraint? A time constraint tells SAP how a record may exist over time, whether it is mandatory, and how the system reacts when records overlap. This keeps infotype data consistent and prevents conflicting entries. 🔎 Where is the time constraint stored in SAP? The time constraint indicator is held in table T582A (view V\_T582A) in the ZEITB field. For subtype-dependent infotypes, the value is maintained in table T591A instead. 🔁 What is the difference between time constraint 2 and 3? Both make the record optional, so gaps are allowed. Time Constraint 2 permits only one valid record at a time, while Time Constraint 3 allows many records to be valid simultaneously. ✏️ Can you change a standard infotype’s time constraint? Standard infotype time constraints are delivered by SAP and should not be changed, because payroll and time evaluation rely on them. You can define the constraint for a custom infotype using transaction PM01 when you build it. ⚠️ Why can the last Time Constraint 1 record not be deleted? Time Constraint 1 requires a record at all times with no gaps. Deleting the last stored record would remove every record of that infotype, so SAP blocks the deletion to protect mandatory data. 🤖 Can AI help manage SAP infotype time constraints? Yes. AI features in SAP [SuccessFactors](https://www.guru99.com/sap-successfactor.html) can flag record collisions, check whether a mandatory record is missing, and validate constraints before infotype data is saved. 🤖 How do intelligent tools reduce infotype data-entry errors? Copilot-style assistants warn before records overlap, detect missing mandatory entries, and suggest the correct time constraint, automating routine checks and lowering manual mistakes during master-data maintenance. ✅ Does every SAP HR infotype have a time constraint? Yes. Every infotype is assigned a time constraint that controls how many records may exist and whether one is mandatory. Standard infotypes come preconfigured, while custom infotypes must be given a constraint when they are created. #### Summarize this post with: ChatGPT Perplexity Grok Google AI **Stay Updated on AI** **Get Weekly AI Skills, Trends, Actionable Advice.** ##### Sign up for the newsletter Subscribe for Free You have successfully subscribed. 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