How To Fix PQ003 - An error occurred during external number assignment

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PQ - HR-PD: Personnel Development

• Message number: 003

• Message text: An error occurred during external number assignment

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PQ003 - An error occurred during external number assignment ?

  The SAP error message PQ003, which states "An error occurred during external number assignment," typically occurs when there is an issue with the number assignment configuration in the SAP system. This error can arise in various contexts, such as when creating or processing documents that require unique identifiers (like purchase orders, production orders, etc.).
  Causes:
  
  Number Range Issues: The number range for the document type you are trying to create may not be defined or may be exhausted.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access or modify the number range.
  Configuration Errors: There may be a misconfiguration in the number range settings in the SAP system.
  System Lock: The number range object may be locked due to a transaction or process that is currently using it.
  External Number Assignment: If the system is set to use external number assignment, and the external number is not provided or is invalid, this error can occur.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Number Range Configuration:
  
  Go to transaction code SNRO (Number Range Objects) and check the configuration for the relevant number range object.
  Ensure that the number range is defined and that there are available numbers in the range.
  
  
  
  Adjust Number Range:
  
  If the number range is exhausted, you may need to extend it. This can be done in transaction code SNRO or OBA7 (for financial documents).
  Make sure to adjust the intervals to allow for more numbers if necessary.
  
  
  
  Review Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to create or modify the document type associated with the number range.
  
  
  
  Check for Locks:
  
  Use transaction code SM12 to check for any locks on the number range object. If there are locks, you may need to wait for them to be released or contact the user who has the lock.
  
  
  
  Use Internal Number Assignment:
  
  If applicable, consider switching to internal number assignment for the document type, which may bypass the issue with external number assignment.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  SNRO: Number Range Objects
  OBA7: Maintain Number Ranges for Document Types
  SM12: Display and Delete Locks
  
  
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation related to number range management for more detailed guidance on configuration and troubleshooting.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for insights from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, it may be necessary to involve your SAP Basis or technical team for further investigation.