How To Fix WS731 - No author. to generate follow-on document, contract type &1 (&2) &3 &4

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 731

• Message text: No author. to generate follow-on document, contract type &1 (&2) &3 &4

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WS731 - No author. to generate follow-on document, contract type &1 (&2) &3 &4 ?

  The SAP error message:
  WS731 No author. to generate follow-on document, contract type &1 (&2) &3 &4
  typically occurs in the context of contract management or sales document processing, where the system is unable to find an authorized user or the necessary authorization to create a follow-on document (such as a delivery, billing document, or purchase order) from an existing contract or agreement.
  
  Cause
  
  Authorization Issue: The user attempting to generate the follow-on document does not have the required authorization to perform this action for the specified contract type.
  Missing or Incorrect Configuration: The system might not have the correct assignment of authorizations or roles for the contract type (&1) and related parameters (&2, &3, &4).
  User Role Restrictions: The user’s role might not include permissions for creating follow-on documents from the contract type in question.
  Customizing or Master Data Issue: Sometimes, the contract type or document flow settings are not properly maintained in customizing, leading to authorization checks failing.
  
  
  Explanation of Message Variables
  
  &1 = Contract type (e.g., L, K, etc.)
  &2, &3, &4 = Additional parameters related to the document or authorization context (could be document number, user ID, or other relevant info depending on the module)
  
  
  Solution
  
  
  Check User Authorizations:
  
  Verify that the user has the necessary authorizations to create follow-on documents for the contract type.
  Use transaction SU53 immediately after the error occurs to check which authorization object is missing.
  Common authorization objects involved might be:
  
  V_VBAK_AAT (Sales Document: Authorization for Sales Document Types)
  V_VBKA_VKO (Sales Document: Authorization for Sales Organizations)
  V_VBKA_VKO (Sales Document: Authorization for Sales Organizations)
  Or specific contract management authorization objects depending on your SAP module.
  
  
  
  
  
  Review Role Assignments:
  
  Check the roles assigned to the user in PFCG.
  Ensure the roles include the necessary authorization objects and values for the contract type and follow-on document creation.
  
  
  
  Check Contract Type Configuration:
  
  In customizing (SPRO), verify the settings for the contract type under:
  
  Sales and Distribution ? Sales ? Sales Documents ? Sales Document Header ? Define Sales Document Types
  Or Contract Management customizing if applicable.
  
  
  Ensure that the follow-on document types are correctly assigned and allowed for the contract type.
  
  
  
  Check Document Flow and Follow-on Document Settings:
  
  Verify that the system allows the creation of the follow-on document from the contract type.
  Check if any user-exits or BAdIs are restricting the creation of follow-on documents.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Search for SAP Notes related to WS731 or authorization issues in contract follow-on document creation.
  Sometimes, patches or corrections are available.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information
  
  This error is common in Sales and Distribution (SD) and Contract Management scenarios.
  The error prevents users from creating delivery documents, billing documents, or purchase orders from contracts if they lack proper authorization.
  Proper role design and authorization maintenance are critical to avoid this error.
  If the error occurs after a system upgrade or transport, verify that authorizations and customizing have been correctly transported.
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  User lacks authorization to generate follow-on document for the specified contract type.
  
  
  Solution
  Check and assign correct authorizations and roles; verify contract type and document flow configuration.
  
  
  Transaction
  Use SU53 to analyze missing authorizations; use PFCG to maintain roles.
  
  
  Customization
  Verify contract type and follow-on document settings in SPRO.
  
  
  
  
  If you provide the exact module (SD, MM, Contract Management) or the context in which this error occurs, I can give more tailored advice.