Execution of Validations

Purpose

You use this process initially to define your Customizing settings for the validation of totals data and subsequently to execute the validation task.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for Executing Validations

Depending on what type of data you want to validate, you need to have completed the following tasks first:

  • For validating reported financial data: You have collected the reported financial data.

  • For validating standardized financial data: You have posted the standardizing entries and performed the currency translation.

  • For validating consolidated data: This task is the very last task executed. You have executed all other tasks.

Process Flow

A. Customizing

Either use the standard Customizing settings for validation or create your own validation methods and validation tasks as described below.

Define Method
Method

  1. To define a validation method, go to the process view of the workbench and choose Start of the navigation path Consolidation Functions Next navigation step Validation Next navigation step Method End of the navigation path.

  2. Select the Method entry and choose Display from the context menu.

  3. In the lower left screen area, choose Create from the context menu.

  4. Create a method and give it a technical name and description.

  5. Specify which data stream ( documents or totals records) and which validation type you want to use.

    Note Note

    The data stream and validation type are fundamental properties of a validation method. Therefore, you can define them only when the method is created. Once the method has been saved, this setting cannot be changed.

    End of the note.

  6. Underneath the method, create one or more validation rules (see below).

  7. Underneath the node for a positive check result and/or the node for a negative check result , you can create:

    • Further validation rules

    • Messages

Validation Rules

You can set up (reusable) validation rules in different places:

  • Directly below the workbench entry Validation Rule: Maintenance behaves the same as, for example, maintenance of single selections.

  • Within a validation method: Here, you can also overwrite the key field (to establish reusability) and create a copy.

To create a validation rule:

  1. Select the validation type and the data stream type.

  2. After you have created a validation rule, an entry is generated in the check hierarchy. If you enter a name (with a maximum length of ten characters) directly behind the symbol for the validation rule, the validation rule is saved under this name and can be reused.

    You can then access this validation rule in the process view of the workbench under Start of the navigation path Consolidation Functions   Next navigation step Validation Next navigation step Validation Rule End of the navigation path.

  3. Define the formula for the validation rule (see below).

If a name has already been entered for the validation rule, you can overwrite this name.

  • To copy a validation rule, overwrite the existing name with a new name.

  • To replace the validation rule, overwrite it with an existing name.

If you delete the name of the validation rule, this validation rule is copied to a non-reusable validation rule, which is then assigned to the validation method.

To delete a validation rule, choose Start of the navigation path Consolidation Functions Next navigation step Validation Next navigation step Validation Rule   End of the navigation path and then choose Display in the context menu; then select the validation rule and choose Delete in the context menu. For more information, see Reuse of Validation Rules.

Selection Condition

  1. Create a selection condition:

    1. In the work area of the workbench, in the section for the selection conditions, choose Create Selection Condition (Create Selection Condition).

    2. Assign a name to the selection condition in the lower part of the screen.

    3. To select characteristics for the selection, choose Add Characteristic (Add Characteristic).

    4. Select one or more characteristic values for the selection condition. You can use Complex Selections () (single selections) for this.

    Repeat the same procedure for further selections.

  2. Save your changes.

When working with selection conditions, it is often helpful to know which validation rules of a method are limited to certain characteristic values and are not performed on all data. It is particularly useful to know which validation rules are used only for certain consolidation groups. To find this out, proceed as follows:

  1. Choose List Settings in the validation method of interest.

    The system displays a hierarchical overview of the method settings.

  2. Expand the Checks node.

  3. Place the cursor on the relevant selection characteristic and choose Filter (Filter).

    The system now displays only those validation rules of the method for which a selection has been defined according to the characteristic you have chosen.

Formula

To compile a formula for the validation rule:

  1. Place the cursor in the formula editor.

  2. Compile the formula by selecting the functions, selections, and operators. Insert operators by single-clicking the buttons and insert selections and functions by double-clicking at the end of the formula or at the position where you placed the cursor beforehand.

  3. Run the syntax check by choosing Check (Check).

  4. Save your changes.

Note Note

For detailed documentation on the formula editor, choose .

End of the note.
Message

Go to Message Maintenance (transaction SE91) and create a message class.

You need to create two messages:

  • One message for when the check result is true

  • One message for when the check result is false

Go to the consolidation workbench and proceed as follows:

  1. To create the message for the validation rule that is true, select the positive check result and choose Create Message in the context menu.

    The system creates a node for the message.

  2. In the work area, specify the message class, the message number, and the message type (for example, “Success” (S)). Enter the message text.

  3. Save the message.

Repeat these steps for the message for the negative check result.

Define Task

  1. To define a validation task, go to the process view of the workbench and choose Start of the navigation path Consolidation Functions Next navigation step Validation Next navigation step Task End of the navigation path.

  2. Select the Task entry and choose Display in the context menu.

  3. In the lower left screen area, choose Create from the context menu.

  4. Enter a technical name, a short text, and a medium text for the task.

  5. Choose which values are to be validated (reported financial data, standardized financial data, or consolidated data).

  6. Specify whether you want to validate values in local currency or group currency.

  7. Select the Period Category .

  8. Specify whether the method is to be dependent on the organizational unit.

  9. Assign the method you previously created to the task.

  10. Save the task.

  11. Checking Settings

    If you have activated the Financials, Group Close, Check Digits (FIN_ACC_GC_CHKDGT) business function, the Check Settings function is available in the workbench under the Validation node. When you execute this function, the system analyzes all Customizing settings for validation, taking into account the guidelines contained in SAP Note 2124179Information published on SAP site. If the current settings are contrary to these guidelines, the function issues specific warning messages regarding a possible deterioration in performance when the validation is run.

B. Execution of Validation

Execute the validation task in the consolidation monitor.

  1. Place the cursor on the intersection between the entry for validating reported financial data and the consolidation unit or group.

  2. Choose Update Run.

Result

The result of the validation task is displayed in a log.