How To Fix WS772 - Item number &1 already exists (item was deleted)

WS772 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 772

• Message text: Item number &1 already exists (item was deleted)

What causes this issue?

The item number &V1& was deleted from the current list. It can only be
assigned after saving.

System Response

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

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

WS772 - Details

• SAP Error Message:
  WS772 - Item number &1 already exists (item was deleted)
  
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you try to create or add an item with a number that was previously used in the document but has been deleted (soft deleted) and not completely removed from the database. In SAP, when an item is deleted, it is often only flagged as deleted but still exists in the system. Attempting to reuse the same item number in the same document leads to this error because the system detects the item number as already existing (though marked deleted).
  
  Explanation:
  
  The item number you are trying to use was assigned to an item that was deleted in the document.
  SAP does not allow reusing the same item number in the same document if the old item is only flagged as deleted but not physically removed.
  This is a consistency check to avoid confusion or data integrity issues.
  
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Use a different