How To Fix ERW004 - Preceding document &1: payer cannot be determined (VBPA)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ERW - Contract Accounts A/R and A/P: SD -> FI-CA interface

• Message number: 004

• Message text: Preceding document &1: payer cannot be determined (VBPA)

What causes this issue?

<ZH>System error</>
The partner with the role <LS>payer</> could not be determined for the
preceding document &v1& (table VBPA (sales and distribution document:
partner)).

How to fix this error?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Procedure for System Administrators

INCLUDE FICA_NA_OSS_1 OBJECT DOKU ID TX

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ERW004 - Preceding document &1: payer cannot be determined (VBPA) ?

  The SAP error message ERW004 indicates that the system is unable to determine the payer for a specific document, which is often related to sales and distribution processes. This error typically arises in the context of sales orders, deliveries, or billing documents when the system cannot find a valid payer in the relevant master data.
  
  Cause:
  
  Missing Payer Information: The payer information may not be maintained in the customer master data (transaction code XD02 for general data or VD02 for sales area data).
  Incorrect Partner Function: The partner function for the payer may not be correctly assigned in the sales document or may be missing.
  Inconsistent Data: There may be inconsistencies in the customer master data or the sales document that prevent the system from determining the payer.
  Sales Area Issues: The sales area (sales organization, distribution channel, and division) may not be correctly set up or may not match the customer data.
  Document Type Configuration: