How To Fix WS879 - No article and no supplier article number were entered

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 879

• Message text: No article and no supplier article number were entered

What causes this issue?

For the settlement document type, settings were made so that the
material is determined directly or via the supplier's material number.
However, neither a material nor a supplier material number was
transferred.

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?

Enter a supplier material number of the supplier or a material or change
the setting of the settlement document type.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WS879 - No article and no supplier article number were entered ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message WS879: No article and no supplier article number were entered:
  
  Error Message: WS879 - No article and no supplier article number were entered
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when you try to process a transaction (such as creating or changing a purchase order, scheduling agreement, or other procurement documents) in SAP, but neither the material number (article) nor the supplier's article number (vendor material number) has been entered in the relevant item data.
  
  SAP requires at least one of these identifiers to correctly identify the material being ordered or referenced.
  If both fields are left blank, the system cannot determine what material is being referred to, hence it throws this error.
  
  
  Where it typically occurs:
  
  Purchase Order (PO) creation or change (ME21N / ME22N)
  Scheduling Agreement processing
  Vendor consignment or subcontracting processes
  Any procurement document where material identification is mandatory
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Enter the Material Number:
  
  In the item details of the procurement document, enter the correct material number in the Material field.
  This is the standard SAP material master number.
  
  
  
  Or Enter the Supplier Article Number:
  
  If the material number is not known or not used, enter the supplier's article number (vendor material number) in the Vendor Material Number field.
  This number is maintained in the material master under the purchasing view or in the info record.
  
  
  
  Check Master Data:
  
  Ensure that the material master record exists and is active.
  Verify that the vendor material number is maintained correctly in the info record (transaction ME11/ME12) or in the material master.
  
  
  
  Maintain Info Record:
  
  If you want to use the supplier article number, make sure the info record linking the vendor and the material with the vendor's article number is maintained.
  
  
  
  Check User Input:
  
  Sometimes users leave both fields blank by mistake. Train users to always enter at least one identifier.
  
  
  
  
  Additional Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  ME21N - Create Purchase Order
  ME22N - Change Purchase Order
  ME11 / ME12 - Create/Change Purchasing Info Record
  MM02 - Change Material Master
  
  
  
  Related Tables:
  
  MARA / MARC - Material Master tables
  EINA / EINE - Purchasing Info Record tables (vendor material number stored here)
  
  
  
  Notes:
  
  If you are using external catalog or third-party systems, ensure the integration passes either the material number or vendor article number.
  In some custom scenarios, this validation might be enhanced or modified by user exits or BADIs.
  
  
  
  
  Summary:
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Description
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Neither material number nor supplier article number entered in procurement document item.
  
  
  Effect
  System cannot identify the material, error WS879 is triggered.
  
  
  Solution
  Enter either the material number or the supplier article number in the item data.
  
  
  Check
  Material master and purchasing info record maintenance.
  
  
  
  
  If you need help with a specific transaction or scenario, feel free to ask!