---
title: "SAP WBS element not released for Administrators - Payhawk Help Center"
slug: "the-selected-wbs-element-is-not-released-in-sap-s4hana-please-release-it"
description: "Resolve SAP S/4HANA WBS element errors when exporting expenses by updating project statuses and ensuring correct project codes in Payhawk."
updated: 2026-10-27T15:09:35Z
published: 2026-10-27T15:09:35Z
canonical: "payhawk.com/the-selected-wbs-element-is-not-released-in-sap-s4hana-please-release-it"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://payhawk.com/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# The selected WBS element is not released in SAP S/4HANA. Please release it in SAP S/4HANA in order to make changes.

## Error message

```plaintext
The selected WBS element is not released in SAP S/4HANA. Please release it in SAP S/4HANA in order to make changes.
```

## Affected ERP integrations

- SAP S/4HANA®

## Cause

When exporting an expense, you may encounter an error indicating that the chosen WBS element is not yet released.

In SAP S/4HANA, a **WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)** element is used to plan and manage the costs of an Enterprise Project. When a project or a specific WBS element is newly created, it is automatically assigned the system status **CRTD** (Created). In this initial state, the project is still locked for financial activity, meaning SAP S/4HANA will block any expenses from being posted against it until it has been officially approved and opened for charges.

## Solution

Before making updates in SAP S/4HANA, double-check the project assignment on the expense:

1. In the [Payhawk Web Portal](https://portal.payhawk.com), go to **Spend**.
2. Open the affected expense by clicking on it and look at the **Project** or **WBS Element** field.
3. Make sure you have selected the correct, current project code. If the expense was accidentally tagged to an incorrect project, update it to the proper one.

If the project code is correct, a project manager or data administrator needs to change the status of the WBS element within SAP S/4HANA to allow data to flow through.

### SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud Edition

To resolve the issue in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud Edition:

1. Log into your SAP Fiori launchpad and open the **Project Control** or **Manage Enterprise Projects** app.
2. Search for the Project or WBS Element ID mentioned in the error.
3. Select the project and locate the status management settings.
4. Update the stage or system status from **Created** to **Released**.
5. Save your changes.

### SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud Edition

To resolve the issue in SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud Edition:

1. Run transaction code `CJ20N` (Project Builder).
2. Open the project structure and locate the specific WBS element from the hierarchy tree.
3. Select the WBS element, then go to the top menu and select **Edit** > **Status** > **Release**.
4. Confirm that the system status changes from **CRTD** to **REL** (Released).
5. Click **Save** to finalize the update.

### Next steps

Once the WBS element has been set to a released status in SAP S/4HANA, go back to Payhawk.

1. Log in to the [Payhawk Web Portal](https://portal.payhawk.com).
2. Go to **Spend**.
3. Locate the pending expense and click **Review** to re-try the export.