Introduction
In SAP Materials Management (MM), efficient purchasing management relies on the effective use of various tables that store critical information about procurement processes. These tables play a vital role in organizing and managing data related to purchase requisitions, purchase orders, account assignments, and release documents, among other procurement-related information.
In this blog post, we will explore the major purchasing tables in SAP MM, detailing the role each one plays in procurement processes and listing the corresponding transaction codes associated with these tables.
Table of Contents
- What Are Purchasing Tables in SAP MM?
- Major Purchasing Tables in SAP MM
- Transaction Codes for Major Purchasing Tables
1 What Are Purchasing Tables in SAP MM?
Purchasing tables in SAP MM are used to store and manage information about materials and services procured by an organization. These tables help SAP users retrieve important details during purchasing processes such as purchase requisition creation, purchase order management, and invoice verification. They also serve as a foundation for generating procurement reports and tracking document histories.
SAP MM integrates purchasing data with other modules, making these tables crucial for aligning procurement processes with inventory, finance, and supplier management.
2 Major Purchasing Tables in SAP MM
Below is a detailed look at the major purchasing tables in SAP MM, which contain data about procurement processes.
| Table Name | Description |
|---|---|
| EKBN | This table stores purchase requisition account assignment data. It includes information on how a requisition is allocated to various accounts within the company. |
| EBKN | This table contains purchase requisition account assignment details for each item within a purchase requisition, helping define cost centers, internal orders, and asset assignments. |
| EKAB | This table holds information related to the release documentation of purchasing documents. It stores details about which document was released, when it was released, and by whom. |
| EKBE | The EKBE table tracks the history of purchase documents. It stores the history for each purchase order, including goods receipt (GR), invoice receipt (IR), and any subsequent changes made to the document. |
3 Transaction Codes for Major Purchasing Tables
In SAP MM, several transaction codes (T-codes) are used to manage and access the purchasing tables. Below is a list of relevant transaction codes:
| Table Name | Transaction Code (T-code) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EKBN | ME51N | Create Purchase Requisition |
| ME52N | Change Purchase Requisition | |
| EBKN | ME53N | Display Purchase Requisition |
| EKAB | ME28 | Release Purchase Order |
| EKBE | ME23N | Display Purchase Order |
| MIR4 | Display Invoice Document History |
These T-codes allow users to create, modify, display, and release various purchasing documents, linking the data stored in these tables to day-to-day procurement activities.
4 Conclusion
Understanding the major purchasing tables in SAP MM and their corresponding transaction codes is essential for optimizing the procurement process. The tables EKBN, EBKN, EKAB, and EKBE play critical roles in managing purchasing data, from purchase requisitions and account assignments to release documentation and purchase document histories.
By mastering these tables and their related T-codes, procurement professionals can enhance their ability to track, manage, and analyze purchasing documents, ultimately improving the efficiency and accuracy of the procurement process.