ME888 - Purchase order created in an external application cannot be changed.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 888

• Message text: Purchase order created in an external application cannot be changed.

What causes this issue?

You want to change a purchase order that was created in an external
system.
The purchase order was transmitted to the standard system so that the
goods receipt and invoice could be posted.

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?

This purchase order can only be changed in the external system in which
it was created. This means that you can only display the purchase order
in the standard system.

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 ME888 - Purchase order created in an external application cannot be changed. ?

  The SAP error message ME888 indicates that a purchase order (PO) created in an external application cannot be changed within the SAP system. This typically occurs when the PO is not fully integrated into the SAP environment or when certain conditions prevent modifications.
  Causes of ME888 Error
  
  
  External Creation: The purchase order was created in an external system (like a third-party procurement tool) and not directly in SAP. As a result, SAP does not allow changes to it.
  
  
  Integration Issues: There may be issues with the integration between the external application and SAP, leading to incomplete data transfer or synchronization problems.
  
  
  Status of the PO: The purchase order may be in a status that does not allow changes (e.g., it may be completed, closed, or have been fully invoiced).
  
  
  Authorization Issues: The user attempting to make changes may not have the necessary permissions to modify the purchase order.
  
  
  Configuration Settings: Certain configuration settings in SAP may restrict changes to POs created externally.
  
  
  Solutions to ME888 Error
  
  
  Check PO Source: Verify if the purchase order was indeed created in an external application. If so, changes should be made in that application.
  
  
  Integration Review: Review the integration setup between the external application and SAP. Ensure that data is being transferred correctly and that the integration is functioning as expected.
  
  
  PO Status Check: Check the status of the purchase order. If it is in a status that does not allow changes, you may need to take appropriate actions (like canceling or closing the PO) before making modifications.
  
  
  User Authorization: Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to modify purchase orders. If not, contact your SAP security administrator to adjust permissions.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team to understand any specific configuration settings that may be affecting the ability to change externally created POs.
  
  
  Contact Support: If the issue persists and you cannot identify the cause, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal IT team for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information
  
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as ME22N (Change Purchase Order) and ME23N (Display Purchase Order) to navigate POs in SAP.
  
  
  Integration Tools: If using middleware or integration tools (like SAP PI/PO, SAP CPI, etc.), ensure they are configured correctly to handle POs from external systems.
  
  
  Documentation: Review SAP Notes and Knowledge Base Articles related to ME888 for any updates or specific fixes that may apply to your version of SAP.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and address the ME888 error effectively.