How To Fix M8218 - More than & default items exist for the purchase order

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M8 - Invoice Verification/Valuation

• Message number: 218

• Message text: More than & default items exist for the purchase order

What causes this issue?

More than &V1& default items exist for the PO which you are referencing.
This can be due to two reasons:
Goods receipt-based invoice verification has been defined for some of
the PO items. There have been so many goods receipts posted for these
items that &V1& has been exceeded.
The PO contains more than &V1& items.
The system can only list a maximum of &V1& items in the selection
screen.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Display the purchase order.
If GR-based invoice verification has been defined for some of the items,
you can enter Invoice Verification using the goods receipt or delivery
note number. Check whether the invoice contains any
of these numbers. If not, you can search for the goods receipt number
via the PO history.
If the PO contains more than &V1& items (and no GR-based invoice
verification has been defined), you can only enter the invoice item
by item. Only enter the PO number and the first item on the selection
screen and then process the remaining items via
<LS>Edit -> New item -> Purchase order</> (If you have to do this, you
should speak to your Purchasing department and ask them to avoid
entering so many items per purchase order in future).

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M8218 - More than & default items exist for the purchase order ?

  The SAP error message M8218 ("More than & default items exist for the purchase order") typically occurs when you are trying to process a purchase order (PO) that has more line items than the system is configured to handle for a specific operation. This can happen in various transactions, such as goods receipt, invoice verification, or when trying to display or change the purchase order.
  Cause:
  
  Configuration Limits: The system has a default limit on the number of items that can be processed in a single transaction. If the number of items in the purchase order exceeds this limit, the error will be triggered.
  Transaction Type: Certain transaction types may have specific limits set in the configuration.
  System Settings: The settings in the SAP system may not be optimized for the volume of items being processed.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Configuration: Review the configuration settings in the SAP system to determine if there is a limit set for the number of items in a purchase order. This can typically be found in the customizing settings under Materials Management (MM).
  
  Transaction Code: SPRO
  Path: Materials Management > Purchasing > Purchase Order > Define Number of Items in Purchase Order
  
  
  Split the Purchase Order: If the number of items exceeds the limit, consider splitting the purchase order into multiple orders with fewer items.
  Increase Limits: If appropriate, you can increase the limit for the number of items allowed in a purchase order. This should be done with caution and in consultation with your SAP Basis or configuration team.
  Check for Updates: Ensure that your SAP system is up to date with the latest patches and updates, as this may resolve known issues related to item limits.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific notes related to error M8218. SAP Notes often provide additional context, solutions, or workarounds for specific issues.
  Documentation: Review the SAP Help Portal for documentation related to purchase order processing and configuration settings.
  User Forums: Engage with SAP community forums or user groups where similar issues may have been discussed, and solutions shared.
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a professional with expertise in SAP MM configuration.