Open and Close Posting Period in SAP (S_ALR_87003642)

By : Mason Garcia Mason Garcia
Hours Updated

⚡ Smart Summary

Posting period variants in SAP open and close accounting periods by account type and account range, controlling exactly when users may post financial documents and protecting closed periods from unauthorized or accidental postings.

  • 🗓️ Posting Period Variant: The variant defines which accounting periods are open for posting across assigned company codes.
  • 👥 Account Type Control: Periods open or close separately by account type, such as customers, vendors, or general ledger.
  • 🔢 Account Ranges: Entering account number ranges limits open periods to specific accounts for tighter control.
  • ➕ Required ‘+’ Row: The ‘+’ account type sets the default period range and is mandatory in every variant.
  • ✅ Customizing Request: Saving period changes requires a customizing request number to transport the setting.
  • 🤖 AI Assistance: SAP Advanced Financial Closing and the Joule AI copilot automate and guide period-end open and close tasks.
Read More

Open and Close Periods in Posting Period Variant in SAP

What is a Posting Period Variant in SAP?

A posting period variant defines which accounting periods are open for posting and which are closed. It is assigned to one or more company codes, so several entities can share the same period control. The variant is maintained with transaction OB52 or S_ALR_87003642.

Why Open and Close Posting Periods?

Opening and closing periods protects financial data. Once a month or year is closed, the variant blocks new postings to that period, preventing accidental or unauthorized entries that would distort reported results. Opening the next period lets daily postings continue on schedule.

Steps to Open and Close Periods in SAP

The following steps show how to maintain open and closed periods in a posting period variant.

Enter the Transaction Code S_ALR_87003642 in the SAP Command Field.

Open and Close Periods in Posting Period Variant in SAP

In the next screen, position the variant you want to maintain and the account type for which you want to open or close the periods.

Change the period with the following steps:

  1. Select Posting Period Variant.
  2. Select Account Type.
  3. Enter the account number range for which you want to change the periods.
  4. Enter the Period to Open as per the Fiscal Year Variant of the company code assigned to the Posting Period Variant.
  5. Enter the period to which posting is to be open.
  6. Enter any special period you want to open.

Open and Close Periods in Posting Period Variant in SAP

All other periods remain closed for posting for the account range mentioned.

After maintaining the periods, press ‘Save’ from the SAP Standard Toolbar.

Open and Close Periods in Posting Period Variant in SAP

In the next screen, enter the Customizing request number.

Open and Close Periods in Posting Period Variant in SAP

You have successfully maintained periods in the Posting Period Variant.

RELATED ARTICLES

Account Types and Period Intervals in OB52

Within a posting period variant you can open periods separately by account type and account range:

Account Type Applies to
+ Valid for all account types (required default row)
A Assets
D Customers
K Vendors
M Materials
S General Ledger accounts

OB52 also provides period intervals: interval 1 for regular posting periods, interval 2 for special periods used at year-end, and a third interval used for postings transferred from Controlling to Financial Accounting.

FAQs

Both maintain the same posting period variant table. S_ALR_87003642 opens the change view through the IMG, while OB52 jumps straight to the maintenance screen. The result is identical: you set open and closed periods by account type.

The ‘+’ row sets the default period range for all account types not listed separately. SAP requires this entry in every posting period variant; without it, the system cannot validate postings and issues a period error.

Special periods are extra posting periods, typically 13 to 16, used for year-end adjustments after the twelve regular months close. They let accountants post audit and closing entries without reopening the normal monthly periods.

Yes. SAP Advanced Financial Closing and intelligent automation schedule closing tasks, run checks, and open or close periods on a calendar, while the SAP Joule AI copilot answers status questions, reducing manual effort at period end.

SAP Joule, the generative AI copilot in S/4HANA Cloud, reports close progress, highlights blocking items, and guides users to the right transaction in natural language, giving finance teams intelligent, real-time help during the close.

Summarize this post with: