How To Fix R11162 - Contact person relationship between partners &1 and &2 already exists

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: R11 - Business Partner and BDT

• Message number: 162

• Message text: Contact person relationship between partners &1 and &2 already exists

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 R11162 - Contact person relationship between partners &1 and &2 already exists ?

  The SAP error message R11162 indicates that there is an attempt to create a contact person relationship between two business partners (BP) that already exists in the system. This error typically occurs when you are trying to establish a relationship between two partners where the relationship type has already been defined.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the relationship you are trying to create between the two specified business partners (denoted as &1 and &2 in the error message) already exists in the system. This can happen if:
  
  The relationship was previously created and not deleted.
  There is a duplicate entry in the system.
  The relationship type is not unique for the combination of the two partners.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Relationships:
  
  Use transaction code BP (Business Partner) to access the business partner master data.
  Navigate to the "Relationships" tab for both business partners (BP &1 and BP &2) and check if the relationship already exists.
  
  
  
  Delete or Modify Existing Relationship:
  
  If the relationship already exists and you need to change it, you can either delete the existing relationship or modify it as per your requirements.
  To delete, select the existing relationship and use the delete option.
  
  
  
  Review Relationship Type:
  
  Ensure that you are using the correct relationship type. Sometimes, the same relationship can be defined under different types, leading to confusion.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If you are unsure about the relationship types and their implications, refer to the SAP documentation or consult with your SAP administrator.
  
  
  
  Error Handling in Custom Programs:
  
  If this error arises from a custom program or interface, ensure that the logic checks for existing relationships before attempting to create a new one.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  BP - Business Partner Maintenance
  BP_MON - Business Partner Monitoring
  
  
  Business Partner Relationships: Understanding the different types of relationships (e.g., contact person, vendor, customer) is crucial for managing business partner data effectively.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address specific issues or provide additional guidance related to business partner relationships.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the R11162 error and manage your business partner relationships effectively.