Prerequisites
Before creating a Purchase Order, ensure the following are available:
- Authorization for transaction ME21N
- Vendor Master / Business Partner data
- Material Master data (or free-text item if allowed)
- Purchasing Organization and Purchasing Group
- Plant and Storage Location (if required)
- Valid Info Record or Source List (recommended)
Step-by-Step Process
1
Enter Transaction Code
In the SAP Easy Access screen, type ME21N in the command field and press Enter.
2
Select Document Type
- Document Type: Choose the appropriate type (most common is NB for Standard Purchase Order)
- Other common types: FO (Framework Order), UB (Stock Transport Order)
Press Enter or continue to the next screen.
3
Enter Header Data
- Vendor: Enter the Vendor number (or use F4 search)
- Purchasing Organization: Enter Purchasing Org (e.g., 1000)
- Purchasing Group: Enter Purchasing Group (e.g., 001)
- Company Code: Usually defaults from Purchasing Organization
Press Enter. The system will pull vendor-related data.
4
Enter Item Details (Line Items)
- Material: Enter the Material number
- PO Quantity: Enter the order quantity
- Delivery Date: Enter the required delivery date
- Net Price: Enter price (or it may default from Info Record)
- Plant: Enter the receiving plant
- Storage Location: Enter storage location (optional but recommended)
Press Enter. The system determines account assignment, pricing, and delivery schedule.
5
Check Account Assignment (if applicable)
For cost center, project, or asset purchases, go to the Account Assignment tab and enter:
- Account Assignment Category (e.g., K for Cost Center, A for Asset, P for Project)
- Cost Center / WBS Element / Asset number
- G/L Account (if required)
6
Review Conditions / Pricing
Go to the Conditions tab to review price, discounts, freight, and taxes. Prices often come automatically from the Purchasing Info Record.
7
Check Delivery Schedule & Additional Data
- Delivery Schedule tab → Confirm delivery dates and quantities
- Invoice tab → Check tax code and invoice-related settings
- Texts tab → Add header or item texts if needed
- Partners tab → Verify ordering address, goods supplier, invoicing party
8
Save the Purchase Order
Click the Save button (or press Ctrl + S). The system generates a unique Purchase Order Number. Note it down for further processing (Goods Receipt, Invoice Verification, etc.).
Quick Process Flow
ME21N → Document Type (NB) → Vendor + Purchasing Org → Material + Qty + Plant → Check Pricing / Account Assignment → Save
Related Transaction Codes
| T-Code | Description |
|---|---|
| ME21N | Create Purchase Order |
| ME22N | Change Purchase Order |
| ME23N | Display Purchase Order |
| ME2L / ME2M | Purchase Orders by Vendor / Material |
| MIGO | Goods Receipt against Purchase Order |
| MIRO | Enter Incoming Invoice |
| ME51N | Create Purchase Requisition |
Helpful Tips
- Always check if a valid Purchasing Info Record exists — it auto-fills price and conditions.
- Use F4 help for Vendor and Material searches.
- For Stock Transport Orders (between plants), use Document Type UB.
- If the PO requires approval, it will go into release strategy after saving.
- You can create a PO with reference to a Purchase Requisition, RFQ, or Contract using the “Document Overview” button on the left.
- After saving, use ME23N to display or ME22N to change the Purchase Order.