How to define absence quota types in SAP

Absence quota types in SAP HR define the time-off entitlements that can be credited to an employee, such as annual leave, earned leave, sick leave, compensatory off, or time off from overtime. A quota type controls how the entitlement is recorded, measured, deducted, rounded, and displayed in SAP Time Management.

After you define absence quota types, the configuration normally continues with generation rules, deduction rules, counting rules, and assignment to absence types. The absence quota balance that is available for an employee is stored and maintained through the Absence Quotas infotype, commonly known as Infotype 2006.

SAP absence quota type purpose in Time Management

An absence quota type is not the same as an absence type. The absence type is what the employee records, such as casual leave or sick leave. The quota type is the entitlement bucket from which that recorded absence can be deducted.

SAP Time Management objectWhat it controlsExample
Absence typeThe type of absence entered for the employeePaid Leave, Sick Leave, Unpaid Leave
Absence quota typeThe entitlement balance available for deductionAnnual Leave Quota, Sick Leave Quota
Deduction ruleThe order and conditions for quota deductionDeduct annual leave before special leave
Infotype 2006The employee-specific quota balance record12 days annual leave for a validity period

Before defining absence quota types in SAP, confirm the business rules for the leave category: unit of measurement, validity period, whether deduction is allowed beyond entitlement, whether compensation is allowed, and how decimal values should be rounded.

Navigation

SAP R/3 Role MenuTime quota types
Transaction codeSPRO
SAP Menu PathSPRO > Time Management > Time data recording and administration > Managing time accounts using attendance /absence quotas > Time quota types > Define absence quota types.

IMG path for defining absence quota types in SAP HR

Step 1 : – Execute tcode “SPRO” from SAP command field.

Transaction code SPRO- IMG

Step 2 : – Choose “display SAP reference IMG”.

customizing execute project IMG SAP

Step 3 : – Follow the navigation Time Management – Time data recording and administration – Managing time accounts using attendance /absence quotas – Time quota types and choose img activity “Define absence quota types”

Define absence quota types SAP

Step 4 : – On change view absence quota type overview screen, choose new entries button to create new absence quota types as per requirements of an organization.

Absence quota types sap

Fields used while creating an absence quota type in SAP

Step 5 : – On new entries absence quota type screen, enter the following details.

  • ESG Time quota types : – Update the key for employee subgroup grouping for time quota.
  • PS Grpg Tm Quota Typ : -Update the key of grouping of personnel subarea for time quota types
  • Absence quota type : – Enter the two digits key that defines as absence quota type in SAP and update descriptive text of quota type in given text field.
  • Recording : – Under recording fields, update as
    • Time /measurement unit – Days, (time is measured based on days or hours)
    • Time constraint class – 01
    • Start time – 00:00
    • End time – 00:00
  • Deduction : – It specifies time quota to be deducted over or above the entitlement.
  • Rounding : – It specifies to rounding the value when it is decimal, for e.g. 21/4 = 5.25.
  • No Comp. : – If you check this field, than it specifies as the current time quota is locked for compensation.
SAP HR - Define Absence Quota Types

Choose save icon and save the configured absence quota type in SAP.

Meaning of key fields in SAP absence quota type configuration

The entries on the absence quota type screen should match the organization’s leave policy. The most important fields are explained below so that the configuration can be reviewed before saving.

FieldUse in absence quota type setupConfiguration note
Employee subgroup grouping for time quota typesControls which employee subgroup group can use the quota typeUse separate groupings when leave rules differ for employee categories
Personnel subarea grouping for time quota typesControls which personnel subarea grouping can use the quota typeUseful when leave rules differ by location, factory, branch, or legal entity
Absence quota type keyIdentifies the quota type in customizingUse a meaningful two-character key and description
Time/measurement unitDefines whether the quota is measured in days or hoursChoose the same unit that will be used for leave deduction and reporting
Time constraint classControls collision and time constraint behaviorUse the class required by the organization’s time configuration design
Deduction settingsControls whether and how quota balances can be deductedCoordinate with deduction rules and counting rules
RoundingControls decimal handling for quota valuesImportant when accruals generate values such as 1.25 days or 2.5 hours
No compensationPrevents the quota from being used for compensation processingSelect it only when the leave balance must not be encashed or compensated

How absence quota types connect with Infotype 2006

The configured absence quota type becomes useful only when an employee receives quota entitlement. In SAP HR Time Management, employee-specific absence quota balances are maintained in Infotype 2006. A record in Infotype 2006 normally includes the quota type, validity period, deduction period, entitlement value, and deduction information.

For example, if the absence quota type represents annual leave, an employee may have an Infotype 2006 record for 12 days of annual leave valid from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2024. When the employee records an eligible absence type, the corresponding quota can be reduced based on the deduction rules.

Difference between absence quota type and absence type in SAP HR

Many configuration errors happen because absence type and absence quota type are treated as the same object. They are related, but they serve different purposes.

PointAbsence typeAbsence quota type
PurposeDefines the leave or absence recorded by the employeeDefines the entitlement balance available for deduction
Common exampleSick Leave, Privilege Leave, Leave Without PaySick Leave Quota, Annual Leave Quota
Employee transaction impactUsed when recording an absenceUsed when checking and deducting available balance
Configuration dependencyConnected with counting and deduction behaviorConnected with generation, validity, rounding, deduction, and compensation settings
Employee master dataRecorded as absence entriesStored as quota balance records in Infotype 2006

Checks after saving an absence quota type in SAP

After saving the absence quota type, review the related Time Management configuration before testing with an employee record. Defining the quota type alone does not complete the leave setup.

  • Confirm that the employee subgroup grouping and personnel subarea grouping are correct.
  • Check whether the quota is measured in days or hours and whether this matches the absence type and work schedule rules.
  • Maintain deduction rules so that the correct quota type is deducted when absence is recorded.
  • Check rounding rules if leave accrual can create decimal balances.
  • Confirm whether the quota is allowed or locked for compensation.
  • Test the quota record in Infotype 2006 for a sample employee.
  • Record an applicable absence and verify whether the expected quota is deducted.

For SAP’s official learning flow on this topic, refer to SAP Learning material on setting up attendance and absence quotas and setting up attendance and absence types. SAP Help also documents the structure and use of absence quota information in Time Management.

Common configuration mistakes in SAP absence quota types

  • Creating an absence quota type but not assigning it correctly in deduction rules.
  • Using days in the quota type while the business process expects hourly leave deduction.
  • Using the wrong employee subgroup grouping or personnel subarea grouping, causing the quota type to be unavailable for the intended employees.
  • Ignoring rounding rules when the quota is generated in decimal values.
  • Leaving compensation settings open for a quota that should not be encashed.
  • Testing only the customizing screen and not testing an actual Infotype 2006 quota record and absence deduction.

Successfully we have learned how to define absence quota types in SAP HR tutorials.

SAP absence quota type FAQ

What is the absence quota infotype in SAP HR?

The absence quota infotype in SAP HR is Infotype 2006. It stores employee-specific absence quota balances, including the quota type, validity period, entitlement, and deduction information.

How do you configure absence quota in SAP HR?

Start in SPRO and define the absence quota type under Time Management. Then maintain the related generation, counting, and deduction rules, assign the quota to relevant absence processing, create or generate Infotype 2006 records, and test deduction with a sample absence.

What is the difference between absence type and absence quota type in SAP?

An absence type is the leave category recorded for an employee, such as sick leave or unpaid leave. An absence quota type is the entitlement balance from which the absence can be deducted, such as sick leave quota or annual leave quota.

What are the common types of absences in SAP HR?

SAP does not force one fixed list for every company. Common absence categories include paid leave, sickness absence, unpaid leave, and special leave. The exact absence types depend on the organization’s HR policy and country requirements.

How do you create an absence type in SAP HR?

An absence type is configured separately from absence quota types. In IMG, it is maintained under Time Management settings for attendance and absence types. After creating the absence type, connect it with counting and deduction rules so that the correct quota is reduced.

SAP absence quota type QA checklist

  • Verify that the IMG path and transaction code SPRO are stated correctly for defining absence quota types.
  • Check that the tutorial clearly separates absence type, absence quota type, deduction rule, and Infotype 2006.
  • Confirm that every field explanation is specific to absence quota configuration, especially grouping, unit, deduction, rounding, and compensation.
  • Review whether the content avoids claiming a universal fixed list of absence types, because absence categories vary by organization and country.
  • Ensure the final testing advice includes both quota balance creation in Infotype 2006 and actual absence deduction testing.