How To Fix WRF_APC236 - External purchasing list ID must include characters and numbers

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WRF_APC - Messages for Operational Assortment Planning and Control

• Message number: 236

• Message text: External purchasing list ID must include characters and numbers

What causes this issue?

You have entered a purchasing list ID that consists only of numbers.

System Response

A purely numerical purchasing list number is not allowed.

How to fix this error?

Enter a purchasing list ID that contains either characters or characters
and numbers.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WRF_APC236 - External purchasing list ID must include characters and numbers ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WRF_APC236 – External purchasing list ID must include characters and numbers
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when an external purchasing list ID (often a reference or identifier used in procurement processes) is entered without including both alphabetic characters and numeric digits. The system validation requires that the ID must be alphanumeric, meaning it should contain at least one letter and one number.
  This validation is typically in place to ensure uniqueness, standardization, and to avoid errors in processing or interfacing with external systems.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the External Purchasing List ID you have entered.
  Ensure that the ID contains both letters (A-Z, a-z) and numbers (0-9).
  For example, instead of entering 12345 or ABCDE alone, enter something like AB123 or X9Y8Z.
  If the ID is generated automatically, review the configuration or the logic that generates this ID to ensure it complies with the alphanumeric requirement.
  If the ID is manually entered, inform the user or update the input instructions to enforce this rule.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  This error is often encountered in modules related to Materials Management (MM) or Procurement where external purchasing documents or lists are referenced.
  The validation might be part of a user exit, BAdI, or standard SAP validation in the purchasing document creation or update process.
  Check if there are any custom validations or enhancements implemented that enforce this rule.
  Review SAP Notes or documentation related to purchasing document number ranges or external ID formats if this is a standard SAP validation.
  If interfacing with external systems (e.g., suppliers, third-party procurement platforms), confirm the ID format requirements with those systems.
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Error Message
  WRF_APC236: External purchasing list ID must include characters and numbers
  
  
  Cause
  ID entered is not alphanumeric (missing letters or numbers)
  
  
  Solution
  Enter an ID containing both letters and numbers (e.g., AB123)
  
  
  Module
  Materials Management / Procurement
  
  
  Additional
  Check custom validations or external system requirements
  
  
  
  
  If you need help identifying where this validation is triggered or how to adjust the ID generation logic, please provide details about the transaction or process where the error occurs.