How To Fix F2144 - Vendors found with same address; check

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: F2 - Master Data Maintenance: Customer, Vendor

• Message number: 144

• Message text: Vendors found with same address; check

What causes this issue?

While searching for duplicate addresses, the contents of the matchcode
fields are compared with those of the other vendors. Duplicate vendors
were found.

System Response

Information message and display of vendors with the same address.

How to fix this error?

Check that the vendor you edited does not already exist.
The duplicates determined are displayed in the following dialog box. By
selecting "Cancel", you can return to the address screen. You can skip
the check by pressing "Continue".
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Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message F2144 - Vendors found with same address; check ?

  The SAP error message F2144 indicates that there are multiple vendor records in the system that share the same address. This can lead to confusion and potential issues in processing transactions, as the system cannot determine which vendor to use when they have identical address details.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is the existence of multiple vendor master records that have the same address information. This can happen due to:
  
  Data Entry Errors: Duplicate entries may have been created inadvertently during vendor master data creation.
  Merging of Vendor Records: If vendor records were merged or imported from another system without proper checks, duplicates may have been created.
  Lack of Unique Identifiers: If the system does not enforce unique constraints on certain fields, it can lead to duplicates.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the F2144 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify Duplicate Vendors:
  
  Use transaction codes like SE16N or SE11 to access the vendor master data table (LFA1) and search for vendors with the same address.
  You can also use reports or queries to identify duplicates based on address fields.
  
  
  
  Review Vendor Records:
  
  Check the details of the identified vendors to determine if they are indeed duplicates or if they represent different entities that just happen to have the same address.
  
  
  
  Merge or Delete Duplicates:
  
  If the vendors are duplicates, you can merge them into a single vendor record. This typically involves transferring any open transactions or historical data from the duplicate to the primary vendor.
  If one of the records is not needed, you can delete it, ensuring that it is not in use in any transactions.
  
  
  
  Update Vendor Master Data:
  
  Ensure that the remaining vendor record has unique and accurate information to prevent future duplicates.
  
  
  
  Implement Data Governance:
  
  Establish processes for vendor creation and maintenance to prevent duplicates in the future. This may include checks during data entry or regular audits of vendor records.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MK01 (Create Vendor), MK02 (Change Vendor), and MK03 (Display Vendor) for managing vendor records.
  Vendor Master Data Management: Consider implementing best practices for vendor master data management, including regular reviews and audits.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific patches or updates related to vendor management that may address this issue.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the F2144 error and maintain a clean vendor master data record in your SAP system.