How To Fix R1648 - Cannot change because multiple addresses with external number SPACE exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R1 - Business Partner Messages from S_BUPA_GENERAL

• Message number: 648

• Message text: Cannot change because multiple addresses with external number SPACE exist

What causes this issue?

There are multiple addresses for the business partner in which the
external address number was not entered. As a result, you cannot use
direct input to change these addresses.

System Response

Error message: the change copied is not carried out

How to fix this error?

Change the business partner in the SAP system (online) and enter the
external address number for the addresses. You can then change the
addresses by specifying the external address number or by using direct
input.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message R1648 - Cannot change because multiple addresses with external number SPACE exist ?

  The SAP error message R1648, "Cannot change because multiple addresses with external number SPACE exist," typically occurs when you are trying to change or update a business partner or customer/vendor master data, and the system finds multiple address records associated with the same external number (in this case, a space or blank).
  Cause:
  
  Multiple Address Records: The primary cause of this error is that there are multiple address records in the system that share the same external number. This can happen due to data inconsistencies or incorrect data entry.
  Data Duplication: There may be duplicate entries in the database for the same business partner or customer/vendor, leading to confusion in the system.
  Incorrect Configuration: The configuration settings for address management may not be set up correctly, leading to issues when trying to access or modify address data.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check for Duplicate Addresses:
  
  Use transaction codes like BP (Business Partner) or XD03/VD03 (Display Customer) to check for existing addresses associated with the business partner or customer/vendor.
  Look for any duplicate entries that may exist and identify the ones that are causing the conflict.
  
  
  
  Delete or Merge Duplicates:
  
  If you find duplicate addresses, you may need to delete or merge them. Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to perform these actions.
  Use the appropriate transaction codes to delete or modify the address records.
  
  
  
  Correct External Number:
  
  If the external number is set to a space, consider updating it to a valid external number. This may involve changing the configuration or updating the records directly.
  
  
  
  Data Consistency Check:
  
  Run data consistency checks to ensure that there are no other underlying issues with the master data. This can help identify any other discrepancies that may need to be addressed.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or help notes related to address management and business partner data to understand the best practices for maintaining data integrity.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above solutions, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance. They may provide specific notes or patches that can resolve the issue.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as BP, XD01, XD02, XD03, VD01, VD02, VD03, etc., for managing business partner and customer/vendor data.
  Data Management Best Practices: Implement best practices for data entry and management to prevent duplication and ensure data integrity.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message, as they may provide additional insights or solutions.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the R1648 error and ensure that your address data is correctly maintained in the SAP system.