How To Fix WS242 - Several document headers were copied with the same identification &1

WS242 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 242

• Message text: Several document headers were copied with the same identification &1

What causes this issue?

The system checked the document header data for uniqueness. It found
several document headers with the same identification &V1&. As a
result, items are not assigned to a document header.

System Response

You cannot execute the function.

How to fix this error?

Check the BAPI transfer data.

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.

WS242 - Details

• SAP Error Message:
  WS242 - Several document headers were copied with the same identification &1
  
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you try to create or copy multiple document headers in a process (such as posting documents, creating financial documents, or during batch input sessions), and the system detects that more than one document header has the same identification number (document number or key). SAP requires each document header to have a unique identification to avoid confusion and ensure data integrity.
  Common scenarios causing this error include:
  
  Batch input or data migration sessions where document numbers are not unique.
  Custom programs or user exits that generate document numbers incorrectly.
  Manual copying of documents where the document number is not changed or is duplicated.
  Incorrect number range configuration or number assignment logic.
  
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Document Numbering:
  
  Verify that the document numbers being used are unique.
  If you are using external document numbers, ensure no duplicates exist.
  For internal numbering, check the number range intervals and