How To Fix WS248 - Document category for preceding document &1 item &2 not maintained

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 248

• Message text: Document category for preceding document &1 item &2 not maintained

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WS248 - Document category for preceding document &1 item &2 not maintained ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message:
  
  SAP Error Message:
  WS248 - Document category for preceding document &1 item &2 not maintained
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you are trying to create or process a document in SAP that references a preceding document, but the system cannot find the document category maintained for the item in the preceding document. The document category is a key attribute that defines the type of document (e.g., invoice, credit memo, delivery, etc.) and is necessary for the system to correctly process the document flow and linkage.
  In other words, the system expects the preceding document's item to have a document category assigned in customizing, but this is missing or not maintained.
  
  When does it occur?
  
  During document flow processing, such as creating billing documents referencing preceding delivery or sales order documents.
  When the system tries to determine the document category of the preceding document item but finds no entry.
  Often encountered in SD (Sales and Distribution) module during billing or delivery processing.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Document Category Customizing:
  
  Go to transaction SPRO ?
  
  Sales and Distribution ?
  
  Billing ?
  
  Billing Documents ?
  
  Maintain Document Categories
  Verify that the document category for the preceding document type and item category is maintained correctly.
  
  
  
  Maintain Document Category for Preceding Document Item:
  
  Identify the preceding document type and item number from the error message (&1 = document number, &2 = item number).
  Check the document category assigned to that document type and item category.
  If missing, maintain the appropriate document category.
  
  
  
  Check Document Flow and Item Data:
  
  Use transaction VA03 (Display Sales Order) or VL03N (Display Delivery) to check the preceding document.
  Verify that the item category and document category are correctly assigned.
  
  
  
  Review Customizing for Document Flow:
  
  Sometimes, the issue arises due to incomplete or incorrect customizing in document flow settings.
  Ensure that the document flow is properly configured to link the preceding and subsequent documents.
  
  
  
  Debugging / Further Analysis:
  
  If the above steps do not resolve the issue, debugging the program or checking the relevant user-exits or BADIs related to document flow and billing might be necessary.
  Check OSS notes for any known issues related to this error.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Document Category (VBTYP): This field defines the type of document in SD billing and sales documents.
  Item Category: Determines the processing of individual items in sales documents.
  Document Flow: SAP uses document flow to link related documents (e.g., sales order ? delivery ? billing).
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SPRO - Customizing
  VA03 - Display Sales Order
  VL03N - Display Delivery
  VF03 - Display Billing Document
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  The error WS248 indicates missing or incorrect document category assignment for the preceding document item. To fix it, maintain the document category in customizing for the relevant document and item categories, ensuring proper document flow linkage.
  
  If you provide the exact document type and item details, I can help you with the specific customizing path or entries to check.