How To Fix VC281 - Sales document items may not have a sold-to party

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VC - SD Customizing

• Message number: 281

• Message text: Sales document items may not have a sold-to party

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message VC281 - Sales document items may not have a sold-to party ?

  The SAP error message VC281 indicates that there are sales document items in a sales order that do not have a valid sold-to party assigned. This typically occurs in the context of sales order processing, where each item in the order must be associated with a specific sold-to party (the customer who is purchasing the goods or services).
  Cause:
  
  Missing Sold-to Party: The sold-to party field is not filled in for one or more items in the sales order.
  Incorrect Configuration: The sales document type or item category may not be configured correctly to allow for the assignment of a sold-to party.
  Data Entry Error: During the creation or modification of the sales order, the sold-to party may have been inadvertently left blank or deleted.
  Custom Logic: Custom enhancements or user exits may be affecting the behavior of the sales order processing.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Sold-to Party Assignment:
  
  Open the sales order in the SAP GUI.
  Navigate to the item details and ensure that the sold-to party is correctly assigned for each item.
  If the sold-to party is missing, you can either enter it manually or ensure that it is inherited from the header level.
  
  
  
  Review Sales Document Configuration:
  
  Check the configuration of the sales document type and item category in the SAP Customizing Implementation Guide (IMG).
  Ensure that the settings allow for the assignment of a sold-to party.
  
  
  
  Data Validation:
  
  Validate the data entered in the sales order. Ensure that all mandatory fields, including the sold-to party, are filled out correctly.
  
  
  
  Consult with Technical Team:
  
  If the issue persists, consult with your technical team to check for any custom code or enhancements that may be affecting the sales order processing.
  
  
  
  Testing:
  
  After making the necessary changes, test the sales order creation process to ensure that the error does not reoccur.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You can use transaction codes like VA01 (Create Sales Order), VA02 (Change Sales Order), and VA03 (Display Sales Order) to manage sales orders.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation for sales order processing to understand the requirements for sold-to party assignments.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the VC281 error and ensure that all sales document items have a valid sold-to party assigned.