How To Fix MM_PUR_SES061 - Item &1 and item &2 have the same external reference: &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MM_PUR_SES -

• Message number: 061

• Message text: Item &1 and item &2 have the same external reference: &3

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MM_PUR_SES061 - Item &1 and item &2 have the same external reference: &3 ?

  The SAP error message MM_PUR_SES061 indicates that there are two items in a purchase order or purchasing document that share the same external reference number. This can occur in scenarios where external references (like vendor quotes, contracts, or other documents) are used to link items, and the system requires that each item has a unique external reference.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the same external reference (e.g., a vendor quote number or a contract number) has been assigned to multiple items in the same purchasing document. This can happen due to:
  
  Data Entry Errors: Manual entry of the same external reference for different items.
  Copying Documents: When copying a purchase order or other documents, the external reference may inadvertently be duplicated.
  System Configuration: Certain configurations in the SAP system may enforce unique external references for items.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MM_PUR_SES061 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Identify Duplicate References: Review the purchasing document to identify which items are using the same external reference. The error message will provide the item numbers and the external reference in question.
  
  
  Modify External References:
  
  Change the external reference for one of the items to a unique value.
  Ensure that each item in the purchasing document has a distinct external reference.
  
  
  
  Review Document Creation Process: If the error is recurring, review the process of how purchasing documents are created. Ensure that there are checks in place to prevent duplicate external references.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about how to change the external references, consult the SAP documentation or your organization's SAP support team for guidance.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, test the purchasing document to ensure that the error no longer occurs and that the document can be processed successfully.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like ME21N (Create Purchase Order), ME22N (Change Purchase Order), or ME23N (Display Purchase Order) to manage purchasing documents.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this issue or provide additional guidance.
  User Training: Consider providing training for users involved in the purchasing process to minimize data entry errors and improve the overall quality of the data entered into the system.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the MM_PUR_SES061 error and ensure that your purchasing documents are processed correctly.