Understanding External and Internal Number Ranges in SAP: Material Master Migration Scenario

Number ranges are essential in SAP for uniquely identifying objects and ensuring data integrity. When migrating data between source and target SAP systems using IDocs, managing number ranges correctly is crucial to avoid conflicts and maintain consistency. This blog explains internal and external number ranges using a Material Master object and illustrates their behavior during migration.

Number Ranges in SAP

Number ranges are sequences of numbers used to uniquely identify objects within the SAP system. These can be internal (automatically assigned by the system) or external (manually assigned by users).

Internal Number Ranges

Internal number ranges are automatically assigned by the SAP system. The system assigns the next available number within a defined range when an object is created.

Example: Internal Number Range for Material Master

Steps to Define Internal Number Ranges:

1. Transaction Code: OMBT

   • Define the number range interval (e.g., 1000 to 1999).

2. Transaction Code: MMNR

   • Assign the number range interval to a material type (e.g., ROH for raw materials).

External Number Ranges

External number ranges are manually assigned by users, allowing for greater flexibility in numbering based on specific criteria.

Example: External Number Range for Material Master

Steps to Define External Number Ranges:

1. Transaction Code: OMBT

   • Define the number range interval (e.g., 2000 to 2999) and mark it as external.

2. Transaction Code: MMNR

   • Assign the number range interval to a material type (e.g., ROH for raw materials).

Number Range Behavior During Migration

When migrating data between SAP systems, handling number ranges properly is crucial. Here's how number ranges behave during migration:

Internal Number Ranges

Source System Configuration:

Target System Configuration:

Migration Behavior:

External Number Ranges

Source System Configuration:

Target System Configuration:

Migration Behavior:

Conclusion

Managing number ranges during SAP system migrations is crucial for maintaining data integrity and avoiding conflicts. Understanding the behavior of internal and external number ranges and following best practices during migration will ensure a smooth transition and consistent data management in the target system.