How To Fix ME218 - External document number & already assigned

ME218 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 218

• Message text: External document number & already assigned

What causes this issue?

The number you entered has already been assigned to another document.

How to fix this error?

Please enter a new document number.
INCLUDE BELEGNUMMER_CREATE LANGUAGE EN

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME218 - External document number & already assigned ?

  The SAP error message ME218 ("External document number & already assigned") typically occurs when you are trying to create or process a purchase order (PO) or a related document that references an external document number (like a vendor invoice or a purchase requisition) that has already been assigned to another document in the system. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when you are trying to create a new purchase order using an external reference that is already in use.
  
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate External Document Number: The external document number you are trying to use is already assigned to another document in the system.
  Incorrect Document Type: The document type you are using may not be compatible with the external document number.
  Data Entry Error: There may be a typographical error in the external document number you are entering.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Existing Assignments: Verify if the external document number is already assigned to another document. You