How To Fix /PF1/MSG_PO_GENERAL164 - Reference country was substituted from &1 to &2

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /PF1/MSG_PO_GENERAL -

• Message number: 164

• Message text: Reference country 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_GENERAL164 - Reference country was substituted from &1 to &2 ?

  The SAP error message /PF1/MSG_PO_GENERAL164 indicates that there has been a substitution of the reference country in a purchase order or related document. The message typically states that the reference country was changed from one value (&1) to another value (&2). This can occur in various scenarios, particularly when dealing with international procurement or when the system needs to adjust the country code based on certain conditions.
  Cause:
  
  Country Code Configuration: The system may have specific configurations that dictate how country codes are handled. If the reference country does not match the expected values based on the configuration, the system may substitute it.
  Master Data Issues: The vendor or material master data may have incorrect or incomplete country information, leading to the substitution.
  Custom Logic: There may be custom logic or user exits in place that modify the country code based on certain criteria.
  Data Migration Issues: If data was migrated from another system, there may be inconsistencies in country codes.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Configuration: Review the configuration settings related to country codes in the SAP system. Ensure that the reference country settings are correctly defined.
  Review Master Data: Check the vendor and material master records for the relevant country codes. Ensure that they are accurate and complete.
  Analyze Custom Logic: If there are any custom developments or user exits that could affect the country code, review them to understand why the substitution is occurring.
  Consult Documentation: Look into SAP documentation or notes related to this specific error message for any additional insights or known issues.
  Testing: If changes are made, conduct thorough testing to ensure that the issue is resolved and that no other functionality is affected.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may want to use transaction codes like ME21N (Create Purchase Order) or ME22N (Change Purchase Order) to replicate the issue and see the details of the purchase order.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or patches that may address this issue.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the substitution and implement a solution to prevent the error from occurring in the future.