Using Keys
Keys are used in the SAP System to group together a number of specifications.
To create a customer master record, you must, for example, specify the client. To create the company code-specific area of a master record, you must specify a company code key.
If you want to use the standard SAP keys, you must convert the keys that you have used in your old system.
If you want to continue using your old keys, you must define them beforehand in the SAP System.
These keys are mandatory and you should therefore define the organizational entities of your company before you transfer your data.
Before you create master records or post documents, you should also decide on the keys that you require, and any additional keys you may want to use. The system checks whether the required keys have been specified and whether the keys used have been defined. If they have not been defined, errors occur and your data is not updated.
The following table lists some keys as an example:
Keys for Master Records and Documents
Key |
Use |
Client |
For working with the system in general |
Company code |
When creating company code-specific master data and when posting documents |
Account group |
For creating master data |
Country key |
For creating master data |
Language key |
For creating master data |
Terms of payment key |
For creating master data |
Payment methods |
For creating master data |
Employee |
For creating master data |
Document type |
For posting documents |
Posting key |
For posting documents |
Currency key |
For posting documents |