Atlas Diagnostic

SAP source determination diagnostics

A first-pass structure for finding why the system cannot determine a valid supplier for a purchase requisition or order.

Reviewed

Core idea

Source determination is the logic that selects which supplier should fulfill a procurement need. When it fails, the PR cannot be converted to a PO or automatic PO creation produces no result. The support goal is to identify which source element is missing or invalid: info record, source list, quota arrangement, contract, or preferred supplier setting.

Common symptoms

  • ME59N or ME21N reports 'no source of supply could be determined'.
  • PR remains unassigned to a supplier after MRP run.
  • Automatic PO creation skips certain materials even though a supplier exists.
  • Wrong supplier is selected for a material that has multiple potential sources.
  • Source list validity expired but users expected the supplier to remain valid.

Likely causes

  • Missing info record: no purchasing info record exists for the material, supplier, and purchasing organization combination.
  • Source list block: the source list entry is blocked, expired, or not marked as relevant for automatic sourcing.
  • Quota arrangement mismatch: the quota arrangement does not cover the required period or plant.
  • Supplier master block: the supplier is blocked for purchasing at the plant or organization level.
  • Plant / org mismatch: the material is not extended to the plant, or the supplier is not assigned to the purchasing organization.

Where to check in SAP

  • ME03 — source list display for material and plant.
  • ME13 — info record display.
  • MEQ1 — quota arrangement display.
  • ME53N — PR item to see if a source was proposed.
  • ME59N log — automatic PO creation rejection reasons.

Key tables / transactions / objects

  • EINA / EINE — purchasing info record.
  • A017 — info record validity.
  • ESLH / ESLP — source list header and items.
  • EQBS / EQBP — quota arrangement.
  • LFA1 / LFB1 — supplier master.

Diagnostic workflow

  1. Identify the material, plant, and purchasing organization where source determination failed.
  2. Check ME03 for a valid source list entry.
  3. Check ME13 for a valid info record.
  4. Check MEQ1 for a quota arrangement if multiple suppliers exist.
  5. Verify the supplier master is not blocked and is extended to the purchasing organization.
  6. If automatic sourcing fails, test manual PO creation (ME21N) to isolate the issue.

Typical fixes or next actions

  • Create or extend the purchasing info record for the material and supplier.
  • Update the source list to include the correct supplier with valid dates.
  • Adjust the quota arrangement if the wrong supplier is being selected.
  • Unblock the supplier master or extend it to the required organization.
  • If the material has no fixed source, train users to create POs manually or maintain the info record.

Support takeaway

Source determination failures are almost always master data gaps. A useful ticket should include: material, plant, purchasing organization, the expected supplier, the transaction where the failure appeared, and whether a source list or info record ever existed.

Escalation signals

  • No valid source is found for a material across multiple plants or purchasing organizations.
  • The selected source conflicts with an existing contract, quota arrangement, or procurement policy.
  • Info records or outline agreements appear incorrect and procurement must confirm commercial validity.
  • The issue affects a strategic material category or regulatory sourcing requirement.

Boundaries and non-goals

This page is a diagnostic frame, not a source determination configuration guide. It does not cover MRP sourcing logic, scheduling agreements, or outline agreements. It does not replace SAP's purchasing documentation.

This is not official SAP documentation and not a replacement for system-specific analysis.

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