How To Fix ICL2196 - It is not possible to change the vendor/supplier; purchase doc. exists

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ICL2 - FS-CM: Claims Management

• Message number: 196

• Message text: It is not possible to change the vendor/supplier; purchase doc. exists

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ICL2196 - It is not possible to change the vendor/supplier; purchase doc. exists ?

  The SAP error message ICL2196 indicates that you are trying to change the vendor or supplier information for a purchase document that already exists in the system. This error typically occurs when there are existing purchase orders, contracts, or other procurement documents associated with the vendor that you are attempting to modify.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Purchase Documents: The primary cause of this error is that there are one or more purchase documents (like purchase orders, contracts, etc.) that reference the vendor you are trying to change.
  Data Integrity: SAP enforces data integrity rules to ensure that changes to vendor information do not lead to inconsistencies in existing documents.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following approaches:
  
  
  Check Existing Purchase Documents:
  
  Use transaction codes like ME23N (Display Purchase Order) or ME31K (Display Contract) to check if there are any existing documents associated with the vendor.
  If there are existing documents, you will need to either close them or change them to reference the correct vendor.
  
  
  
  Change Vendor Information:
  
  If you need to change the vendor information, you may need to do so in a way that does not affect existing documents. This could involve creating a new vendor record instead of modifying the existing one.
  
  
  
  Consult with Your SAP Administrator:
  
  If you are unsure about how to proceed, consult with your SAP administrator or procurement team. They can provide guidance on the best practices for managing vendor information and existing purchase documents.
  
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes:
  
  If you need to make changes to the vendor master data, you can use transaction codes like XK02 (Change Vendor) or MK02 (Change Vendor for Purchasing) but ensure that there are no active purchase documents linked to the vendor.
  
  
  
  Document Closure:
  
  If applicable, consider closing or deleting the purchase documents that are causing the issue, but be cautious as this may have implications on your procurement processes.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Vendor Master Data: Understanding how vendor master data is structured in SAP can help you manage vendor changes more effectively.
  Purchase Order Management: Familiarity with how purchase orders and contracts are managed in SAP will provide context for why certain changes are restricted.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message, as there may be updates or fixes available.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the ICL2196 error and manage vendor information in SAP effectively.