Number Assignment for the Change Master (SAP Library - Engineering Change Management (LO-ECH))

Number Assignment for the Change Master

Use

You use this function when you create a change master record.

Features

Depending on your company’s requirements, you can assign either a numeric key or an alphanumeric key.

The SAP System supports two types of number assignment:

Internal number assignment

If you want to assign consecutive numbers that are purely numeric, do not enter a change number when you create a change master. When you save the change master, the system assigns the next available number from the number range defined for change masters. The system displays this number in a message.

In the Customizing for Engineering change management, under Define number ranges, you can check which number has been reached in the internal number range.

External number assignment

In the standard SAP System, an external number range is defined for (purely numeric) numbers.

If you want to assign an alphanumeric key, you enter an alphanumeric character string.

Note

Please check which special characters you use. The following special characters can be used anywhere within the change number: "-", " /", "_"

If you use the standard settings for external number assignment, you can enter any alphanumeric key. However, if you want to restrict the external number range for alphanumeric characters, define an additional external number range with the interval you require. You also need to select the NR check for alpha indicator to activate checks on alphanumeric numbers.

Additional Checks for Alphanumeric Change Numbers during External Number Assignment

If you assign change numbers manually, the system performs the following checks:

If you enter a purely numeric key, the system always checks whether the key is from a number range defined for external number assignment.

If you enter an alphanumeric key (for example, K-01), the system only checks the key if this is defined in Customizing. In Customizing for engineering change management, under Set up control data, you can define whether or not the system checks alphanumeric fields as well. To do this, you use the Number range check for alpha fields indicator.

If you do not select this indicator, the system does not check number ranges for alphanumeric numbers. In this case, you can enter any alphanumeric key.
If you select this indicator, the system checks all the external number ranges that are defined for alphanumeric numbers.

Example

For example, you defined an external number range for alphanumeric numbers. The upper and lower limits of the interval are as follows:

From number: AAAAAAAAAAAA

To number: CCCCCCCCCCC

The Number range check for alpha indicator is selected. If you enter the number K-01, which is not within the defined number range, you see the following error message:

Change number K-01 not defined for external number assignment

The following numbers can be entered: A-23-D, B22, CA45.

Activities

To display an overview of the number ranges and the current number status on the initial screen, click This graphic is explained in the accompanying text No.range.

You define number ranges in Customizing for Engineering Change Management by choosing Define number ranges.