How To Fix W_CB176 - Item &1: Unclearly specified eligible partner

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: W_CB -

• Message number: 176

• Message text: Item &1: Unclearly specified eligible partner

What causes this issue?

If you change the data of an eligible partner, you must ensure it is
specific to one eligible partner. In this case, however, several
eligible partners were found with this data.

System Response

The system does not make the change to the eligible partner and proceeds
to process other changes.

How to fix this error?

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message W_CB176 - Item &1: Unclearly specified eligible partner ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  W_CB176 Item &1: Unclearly specified eligible partner
  
  Cause:
  This warning message occurs in SAP SD (Sales and Distribution) or related modules when the system cannot clearly determine the eligible partner for a particular item in a sales document or business transaction. The "eligible partner" refers to a business partner role (such as sold-to party, ship-to party, payer, or bill-to party) that must be clearly assigned for the item to proceed correctly.
  The ambiguity arises because:
  
  Multiple partners with the same role exist, and the system cannot decide which one applies.
  The partner determination procedure is incomplete or incorrectly configured.
  The partner data in the document is missing, incomplete, or inconsistent.
  The item-level partner assignment conflicts with header-level partner data.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the warning W_CB176, consider the following steps:
  
  
  Check Partner Determination Procedure:
  
  Verify the partner determination procedure assigned to the sales document type or transaction.
  Ensure that the partner functions and their determination rules are correctly maintained in SPRO under:
  Sales and Distribution -> Basic Functions -> Partner Determination -> Set Up Partner Determination
  
  
  
  Review Partner Data in the Document:
  
  Open the sales document and check the partner tab at both header and item levels.
  Make sure the required partner functions are assigned and there is no ambiguity (e.g., two partners with the same role but different data).
  If multiple partners exist for the same role, clarify which one should be used or remove duplicates.
  
  
  
  Maintain Partner Roles Correctly:
  
  Ensure that the partner roles (sold-to, ship-to, payer, etc.) are correctly assigned and consistent.
  If the partner is determined via customer master data, verify that the customer master records are correctly maintained.
  
  
  
  Adjust Partner Determination Procedure if Needed:
  
  If the standard partner determination procedure does not fit your business process, customize it to better reflect your partner assignment logic.
  
  
  
  Check for Custom Enhancements or User Exits:
  
  Sometimes custom code or user exits may interfere with partner determination. Review any custom logic that might cause ambiguity.
  
  
  
  Test the Document Creation:
  
  After corrections, try creating or processing the document again to confirm that the warning no longer appears.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  VA01 / VA02 / VA03 — Create/Change/Display Sales Order
  SPRO — Customizing Partner Determination
  VD03 — Display Customer Master (to check partner roles)
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Documentation:
  
  Check SAP OSS Notes for any known issues related to partner determination and message W_CB176.
  SAP Help Portal documentation on Partner Determination in SD.
  
  
  
  Partner Functions Commonly Involved:
  
  Sold-to party (AG)
  Ship-to party (WE)
  Payer (RE)
  Bill-to party (RG)
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  The warning W_CB176 indicates that the system cannot clearly identify the eligible partner for an item due to ambiguous or incomplete partner data or configuration. The solution involves verifying and correcting partner assignments in the sales document and ensuring the partner determination procedure is properly configured and maintained.
  
  If you provide the exact transaction or scenario where this message appears, I can help with more specific guidance.