SAP FB08 — Reverse Document
You cannot delete a posted document in SAP. When something is wrong you reverse it: SAP generates a mirror-image document with the debits and credits swapped, so the net effect on every account is zero.
Both documents stay in the system forever, cross-referenced to each other. That is the whole point — an auditor can see that a mistake was made and how it was corrected, which is much stronger evidence than a clean ledger that has quietly been edited.
The critical choice on this screen is the reversal reason, because it decides which date the reversal is posted on. Get that wrong and you move figures between accounting periods without meaning to.
When you would actually use FB08
- A document was posted to the wrong account, cost centre or amount.
- A duplicate invoice was posted twice.
- An accrual posted at month-end needs releasing in the following period.
- A posting landed in the wrong period and must be moved.
What the screen looks like
Document details
Specifications for reverse posting
The fields, in plain English
UF05A-STGRDA code saying why you are reversing, which also controls the date used. 01 "Reversal in current period" posts the reversal on the ORIGINAL document date. 02 "Reversal in closed period" lets you specify a different posting date. 05 is used for accrual/deferral reversals.
Watch out: This is the field people get wrong. If the original period is already closed and you pick 01, the reversal will be rejected — you need a reason flagged for alternative dates, plus a date in an open period.
UF05A-BUDATOnly used when the reversal reason permits an alternative date. Leave it blank and SAP reverses on the original document date.
Set with the posting date when you are directing the reversal into a specific period, typically during month-end.
Step by step
- 1Open the document in FB03 first and confirm it is the right one.Reversing the wrong document creates two problems instead of one.
- 2Enter document number, company code and fiscal year in FB08.
- 3Choose the reversal reason that matches your situation and period status.
- 4Click Display Before Reversal to preview the entry that will be created.
- 5Post. SAP returns the reversal document number and links it to the original.
- 6Check in FB03 that the original now shows "Reversed by <number>".
Errors you will hit, and what they mean
F5A 004 — Reversal reason 01 not permitted in a closed period
Why: Reason 01 forces the original posting date, and that period is closed.
Fix: Use a reversal reason configured for alternative posting dates (commonly 02) and give a posting date in an open period.
F5 060 — Document 1800000123 has already been reversed
Why: Someone reversed it already, or it was reversed and you are looking at a stale screen.
Fix: Open it in FB03 — the header shows the reversal document number. Do not reverse the reversal unless you actually intend to reinstate the original.
FF 709 — Document contains cleared items; reversal not possible
Why: The document has been cleared, for instance the invoice has been paid. Reversing would break the clearing.
Fix: Reset the clearing with FBRA first, then reverse with FB08. That order matters.
Common questions
What is the difference between FB08 and FBRA?
FB08 cancels the document itself. FBRA only undoes the CLEARING — the match between an invoice and its payment — leaving both documents posted but open again. If an invoice was paid and the invoice is wrong, you generally need FBRA first, then FB08.
Can I reverse a reversal?
Yes, technically, and it reinstates the original effect. It is usually clearer to leave it and post a fresh correcting entry, because three linked documents are harder to explain than two.
How do I reverse many documents at once?
F.80 does mass reversal for a list of documents. Be careful with it — it is fast and it does not ask twice.
Transactions that go with FB08
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