How To Fix ME853 - Not possible to determine external category for internal item cat. &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 853

• Message text: Not possible to determine external category for internal item cat. &

What causes this issue?

No external item category has been maintained for item category &V1&
in Customizing.
For example: the internal item category <ZH>3</> corresponds to the
external item category <ZH>L</> for subcontracting.

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?

Maintain the external item category and a short text (if necessary) in
Customizing for Purchasing.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME853 - Not possible to determine external category for internal item cat. & ?

  The SAP error message ME853 ("Not possible to determine external category for internal item cat.") typically occurs in the context of purchasing documents, such as purchase orders or purchase requisitions. This error indicates that the system is unable to map an internal item category to an external category, which is necessary for processing the document correctly.
  Causes:
  
  
  Item Category Configuration: The internal item category used in the purchasing document may not be properly configured in the system. This can happen if the item category is not assigned to an external category in the configuration settings.
  
  
  Missing External Category Mapping: The mapping between internal item categories and external categories may be missing or incorrectly set up in the system.
  
  
  Document Type Issues: The document type being used may not support the item category in question, leading to the inability to determine the external category.
  
  
  Master Data Issues: There may be issues with the material master or vendor master data that affect how item categories are processed.
  
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Item Category Configuration:
  
  Go to the configuration settings for item categories in the SAP system (Transaction code: SPRO).
  Navigate to Materials Management > Purchasing > Purchase Order > Define Item Categories.
  Ensure that the internal item category is correctly defined and that it has a corresponding external category.
  
  
  
  Mapping External Categories:
  
  Ensure that the mapping between internal and external item categories is correctly set up.
  You can check this in the configuration settings under Materials Management > Purchasing > Purchase Order > Define External Item Categories.
  
  
  
  Review Document Type Settings:
  
  Check the document type settings to ensure that the item category is allowed for the specific document type you are using.
  This can also be found in the configuration settings under Materials Management > Purchasing > Purchase Order > Define Document Types.
  
  
  
  Check Master Data:
  
  Review the material master and vendor master data to ensure that all necessary information is complete and correct.
  Ensure that the material is assigned to the correct purchasing group and that the vendor is set up properly.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide additional guidance.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making any changes, test the purchasing document again to see if the error persists.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as ME21N (Create Purchase Order), ME52N (Change Purchase Requisition), and ME53N (Display Purchase Requisition) to troubleshoot the issue.
  SAP Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for detailed information on item categories and purchasing processes.
  User Forums: Consider checking SAP community forums or user groups for similar issues and solutions shared by other users.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a functional consultant who specializes in the Materials Management module.