How To Fix /PF1/MSG_PO_GENERAL156 - Internal-/external flag was substituted from &1 to &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /PF1/MSG_PO_GENERAL -

• Message number: 156

• Message text: Internal-/external flag was substituted from &1 to &2

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.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /PF1/MSG_PO_GENERAL156 - Internal-/external flag was substituted from &1 to &2 ?

  The SAP error message /PF1/MSG_PO_GENERAL156 indicates that there is an issue with the internal/external flag in a purchase order (PO) or related document. This message typically arises when there is a discrepancy between the expected internal or external status of a document and what is actually present in the system.
  Cause:
  The error message is triggered when the system detects that the internal/external flag for a particular document has been changed or substituted. This can happen due to various reasons, including:
  
  Data Migration Issues: If data has been migrated from another system, the internal/external flags may not have been set correctly.
  Manual Changes: Users may have manually changed the status of a document, leading to inconsistencies.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration settings in the system can lead to unexpected behavior regarding internal and external flags.
  Custom Development: If there are custom programs or enhancements that manipulate purchase orders, they may inadvertently change the internal/external flag.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Document Status: Review the purchase order or document in question to verify the internal/external flag settings. Ensure that they are set correctly according to your business requirements.
  
  
  Review Change Logs: Check the change logs for the document to see if there were any recent changes made that could have affected the internal/external flag.
  
  
  Data Consistency Check: If the issue arose after a data migration, perform a consistency check on the data to ensure that all internal/external flags are set correctly.
  
  
  Configuration Review: Review the configuration settings related to purchase orders and internal/external flags to ensure they are set up correctly.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to this specific error message for any additional guidance or patches that may be available.
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists and you cannot identify the cause, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance. Provide them with the error message details and any relevant context.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message. SAP frequently releases notes that address specific issues and provide solutions or workarounds.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as ME21N (Create Purchase Order), ME22N (Change Purchase Order), and ME23N (Display Purchase Order) to investigate the document further.
  User Exits and BAdIs: If there are custom developments in your system, review any user exits or BAdIs that might be affecting the purchase order processing.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.