How To Fix WS088 - Partner function '&' not maintained for customer & in sales area &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 088

• Message text: Partner function '&' not maintained for customer & in sales area &

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WS088 - Partner function '&' not maintained for customer & in sales area & ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  WS088 Partner function '&' not maintained for customer & in sales area &
  
  Meaning / Cause:
  This error occurs when you try to create or process a sales document (like a sales order, delivery, billing document, etc.) and the system expects a specific partner function to be assigned to the customer in the given sales area, but it is missing.
  
  Partner function: Roles assigned to business partners in sales documents, e.g., Sold-to party (AG), Ship-to party (WE), Payer (RE), Bill-to party (RG), etc.
  The system checks if the required partner functions are maintained for the customer master in the sales area (Sales Organization, Distribution Channel, Division).
  If the partner function is not maintained or assigned, the system throws this error.
  
  
  When does it occur?
  
  During sales order creation or processing.
  When partner determination procedure requires a partner function that is not maintained.
  When customizing or master data is incomplete or inconsistent.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Customer Master Data:
  
  Go to transaction VD03 (Display Customer) or VD02 (Change Customer).
  Enter the customer number and sales area.
  Navigate to the Sales Area Data ? Partner Functions tab.
  Verify if the required partner function (e.g., Ship-to party, Payer) is maintained.
  If missing, add the required partner function and save.
  
  
  
  Check Partner Determination Procedure:
  
  Partner determination procedure controls which partner functions are mandatory or optional.
  Use transaction VOPA or SPRO ? Sales and Distribution ? Basic Functions ? Partner Determination ? Set Up Partner Determination.
  Check the partner determination procedure assigned to the sales document type and sales area.
  Verify if the partner function in question is set as mandatory.
  If necessary, adjust the partner determination procedure or maintain the partner function in the customer master.
  
  
  
  Check Sales Area Data:
  
  Ensure the sales area (Sales Org, Distribution Channel, Division) is correctly maintained for the customer.
  Sometimes the partner function is maintained only for certain sales areas.
  
  
  
  Check if the partner function is relevant for the document type:
  
  Some partner functions are mandatory for certain sales document types.
  Confirm the document type settings in customizing.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  Partner Functions are essential for processing sales documents because they define roles and responsibilities.
  Missing partner functions can block document processing or cause inconsistencies.
  Partner functions are maintained per sales area because the role of a partner can differ by sales organization or distribution channel.
  Common partner functions:
  
  AG = Sold-to party
  WE = Ship-to party
  RE = Payer
  RG = Bill-to party
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Required partner function not maintained for the customer in the sales area.
  
  
  Solution
  Maintain the missing partner function in customer master (VD02/VD03) for the sales area.
  
  
  
  Check and adjust partner determination procedure if needed (VOPA/SPRO).
  
  
  Transactions
  VD02, VD03, VOPA, SPRO
  
  
  Related Notes
  Check SAP OSS notes if issue persists or for specific partner function issues.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the exact partner function code and customer number, I can guide you more specifically.