How To Fix ME351 - Please enter a valid partner role

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 351

• Message text: Please enter a valid partner role

What causes this issue?

The partner role you entered is not included in schema &V1&, which is
assigned to the purchasing document type.

How to fix this error?

Enter a partner role that is defined in the partner schema (you can
view the permissible partner roles using the input help), or add the
partner role to schema &V1& in Customizing for Purchasing.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME351 - Please enter a valid partner role ?

  The SAP error message ME351, which states "Please enter a valid partner role," typically occurs in the context of purchasing documents, such as purchase orders or purchase requisitions, when the system expects a valid partner role to be specified but does not find one.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Partner Role: The partner role (e.g., vendor, supplier) is not specified in the document.
  Invalid Partner Role: The partner role entered does not exist or is not valid in the system.
  Configuration Issues: The partner roles may not be properly configured in the system, or the necessary settings for the document type may be missing.
  Data Inconsistencies: There may be inconsistencies in the master data related to the vendor or partner roles.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Partner Role: Ensure that you are entering a valid partner role. Common partner roles include:
  
  VN: Vendor
  SP: Supplier
  AG: Agent
  SH: Ship-to party
  BP: Business Partner
  Verify that the role you are trying to use is defined in the system.
  
  
  
  Maintain Partner Roles: If the partner role is missing or invalid, you may need to maintain it:
  
  Go to the relevant configuration settings in SAP (usually in SPRO) to define or adjust partner roles for purchasing documents.
  Ensure that the partner roles are correctly assigned to the vendor or business partner master data.
  
  
  
  Check Master Data: Verify that the vendor or business partner master data is complete and correctly set up. Ensure that the partner roles are assigned correctly in the master data.
  
  
  Document Type Configuration: Check the configuration for the document type you are working with. Ensure that the partner roles are correctly defined for that document type.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the partner roles or how to configure them, refer to SAP documentation or consult with your SAP administrator or functional consultant.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, test the process again to see if the error persists.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like ME21N (Create Purchase Order), ME51N (Create Purchase Requisition), or BP (Business Partner) to check or maintain data.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address specific issues related to partner roles and purchasing documents.
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to create or modify the purchasing documents and partner roles.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to engage with your SAP support team for further assistance.