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SAP how-to guides · Lesson

Create purchase order

Quick answer

Ensure the material and vendor master data exist and are complete.

Key takeaways

  • Select the order type (e.g. standard PO) and enter the vendor.
  • Add item lines: material (or short text), quantity, plant, delivery date.
  • This guide shows how to create one in SAP GUI (ME21N).
  • Watch out: Following steps without understanding the concept.

Step by step

  • Enter transaction ME21N.
  • Select the order type (e.g. standard PO) and enter the vendor.
  • Add item lines: material (or short text), quantity, plant, delivery date.
  • Check pricing/conditions and the account assignment (stock vs consumption).
  • Save; the PO number is assigned and (if configured) it enters a release strategy.

Notes and tips

Ensure the material and vendor master data exist and are complete. For consumables, set the correct account assignment (cost center/order). If a release strategy applies, the PO must be approved before it can be issued. In Fiori, use the "Create Purchase Order" app for the same task.

Common pitfalls

  • Following steps without understanding the concept.
  • Skipping testing in a non-production system.
  • Applying blindly to a different scenario.

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Check your understanding

  1. Which statement is true of Create purchase order?

    • A. A production order is the document that authorises and controls the manufacture of a product, specifying what…
    • B. For consumables, set the correct account assignment (cost center/order).
    • C. BAPIs are SAP’s stable, released, remote-enabled interfaces to business objects, the reference set of safe…
    Show answer

    B. For consumables, set the correct account assignment (cost center/order).

    Covered in the “Notes and tips” section of this lesson.

  2. Which of these also applies to Create purchase order?

    • A. If a release strategy applies, the PO must be approved before it can be issued.
    • B. Using the wrong variant (create vs change vs display).
    • C. Memorising answers without understanding.
    Show answer

    A. If a release strategy applies, the PO must be approved before it can be issued.

    Covered in the “Notes and tips” section of this lesson.

  3. Which part of the Learn SAP curriculum covers Create purchase order?

    • A. SAP downloads
    • B. SAP integration
    • C. SAP how-to guides
    Show answer

    C. SAP how-to guides

    This lesson sits in the SAP how-to guides section of the Learn SAP course.

Frequently asked questions

What does the term Create purchase order refer to in SAP?

A purchase order (PO) is the formal document ordering goods/services from a vendor. This guide shows how to create one in SAP GUI (ME21N).

Which transaction codes come up with Create purchase order?

Enter transaction ME21N. Select the order type (e.g. standard PO) and enter the vendor. Add item lines: material (or short text), quantity, plant, delivery date.

What else is worth knowing about Create purchase order?

Ensure the material and vendor master data exist and are complete.

What tends to go wrong with Create purchase order?

Following steps without understanding the concept. Skipping testing in a non-production system. Applying blindly to a different scenario.
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