SAP Output
Output determination in SD controls the documents and messages sent to customers and internally, order confirmations, delivery notes, invoices, via print, email or EDI. It ensures the right output goes out automatically in the right form.
SD output determination uses the condition technique to decide which output a document triggers, an order confirmation, delivery note or invoice, to whom, in which medium, print, email, EDI or fax, and with which SmartForm or Adobe Form. EDI output leaves as IDocs. S/4HANA adds a newer output management framework; output not triggering usually means a missing condition record.
- Condition technique for determination.
- Watch out: Output not triggering (condition records/config).
What output determination does
Using the condition technique, output determination decides which output (e.g. an order confirmation) is triggered for a document, to whom, in what medium (print, email, EDI/IDoc), and with what form. This automates customer and internal communication throughout order-to-cash.
Key elements
- Output types (order confirmation, delivery note, invoice).
- Condition technique for determination.
- Media: print, email, EDI (IDoc), fax.
- Forms (SmartForms/Adobe Forms) for layout.
Why it matters
Output is how the business communicates transactions to customers, and errors are highly visible (a missing invoice, a wrong-format confirmation). EDI output (as IDocs) connects to customers/partners for automated document exchange. Modern output management in S/4HANA uses a redesigned framework with cloud-friendly form technologies.
Common pitfalls
- Output not triggering (condition records/config).
- Wrong medium (print when EDI expected).
- Form/layout errors in customer-facing documents.