ME21N
Quick answer
ME21N creates a purchase order, the formal document ordering goods/services from a vendor, and is the central procurement transaction.
Key takeaways
- Vendor and PO document type (header).
- Item lines: material/short text, quantity, plant, delivery date.
- Pricing conditions (net price, discounts, taxes).
- Watch out: Using the wrong variant (e.g. create vs change vs display).
Purpose
It creates a purchase order, the formal document ordering goods/services from a vendor, and is the central procurement transaction.
Key fields and screen
- Vendor and PO document type (header).
- Item lines: material/short text, quantity, plant, delivery date.
- Pricing conditions (net price, discounts, taxes).
- Account assignment (stock vs consumption: cost center/order).
Tips
- Use the single-screen ME21N (not the older ME21).
- Reference a requisition or contract to speed entry.
- Check the release strategy status if approvals apply.
Common errors
- "Account assignment" errors, wrong/missing cost object for consumables.
- Material not maintained for the plant (missing purchasing view).
- PO blocked by release strategy until approved.
Common pitfalls
- Using the wrong variant (e.g. create vs change vs display).
- Missing prerequisite master data or config.
- Not checking the resulting document/postings.
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Check your understanding
Which statement is true of ME21N?
- A. Account assignment (stock vs consumption: cost center/order).
- B. OData is the protocol at the heart of modern SAP integration and Fiori, a RESTful, resource-oriented standard…
- C. RFC-based integration connects programs and systems to SAP by calling function modules remotely, the classic…
Show answer
A. Account assignment (stock vs consumption: cost center/order).
Covered in the “Key fields and screen” section of this lesson.
Which part of the Learn SAP curriculum covers ME21N?
- A. SAP TCodes
- B. SAP SD
- C. SAP installation
Show answer
A. SAP TCodes
This lesson sits in the SAP TCodes section of the Learn SAP course.
Frequently asked questions
What does ME21N stand for in SAP?
ME21N is the SAP transaction code for Create Purchase Order (MM). It creates a purchase order, the formal document ordering goods/services from a vendor, and is the central procurement transaction.
Which related transactions work alongside ME21N?
Use the single-screen ME21N (not the older ME21). Reference a requisition or contract to speed entry. Check the release strategy status if approvals apply.
What is the practical takeaway on ME21N?
Vendor and PO document type (header). Item lines: material/short text, quantity, plant, delivery date. Pricing conditions (net price, discounts, taxes).
What tends to go wrong with ME21N?
Using the wrong variant (e.g. create vs change vs display). Missing prerequisite master data or config. Not checking the resulting document/postings.