The primary way to cancel stock movements or return materials in SAP, especially when correcting previous issues, is by performing a goods movement reversal or a return delivery. This ensures accurate inventory levels and proper financial postings.
How to Cancel Stock in SAP?
Canceling stock in SAP typically refers to reversing a goods movement, returning materials to storage, or adjusting inventory levels due to various reasons like incorrect issues, damaged goods, or order cancellations. The specific method depends on the original transaction and the desired outcome.
Reversing Goods Issue for Production Orders (Returning Stock)
If materials were previously issued to a production order (e.g., using Movement Type 261) and need to be returned to stock, perhaps due to over-issuance, material defect, or a change in the production plan, you can perform a return delivery against the original material document. This action reduces the committed quantity in the production order and increases available stock.
Here's a step-by-step guide using the MIGO transaction:
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Access MIGO Transaction | Enter MIGO in the SAP command field and press Enter. This is the primary transaction for goods movements. |
| 2 | Select Document Type | In the MIGO initial screen, from the dropdowns, select A02 Return Delivery and R02 Material Document. This combination indicates you are performing a return based on an existing material document. |
| 3 | Enter Original Document Number | In the "Material Document" field, input the number of the original goods issue document (e.g., the document created when materials were issued to the production order). This links the return to the previous transaction. |
| 4 | Adjust Quantity | Once the original document is loaded, review the items. Enter the exact quantity of the material you wish to return to stock in the relevant item line. You can return a partial or full quantity. |
| 5 | Verify Movement Type | Ensure the system automatically proposes or manually set the Movement Type to 262. This movement type is the reversal of Movement Type 261 (Goods Issue for a Production Order) and returns the material to the issuing storage location. |
| 6 | Check and Post | Review all details, including the correct material, quantity, plant, and storage location. Once confirmed, click the "Post" button (often represented by a disk icon) to execute the goods movement. |
| 7 | Confirmation | The system will generate a new material document number confirming the return. You will also observe a reduction in the "Committed Quantity" for that material in the respective production order, reflecting the returned stock. |
Other Methods to Adjust or "Cancel" Stock in SAP
Beyond returning goods issued to production, "canceling stock" can refer to several other common scenarios:
1. Reversing General Goods Movements
For most other goods movements (like a general goods issue, goods receipt, or transfer posting), you can reverse them directly if the financial period is still open.
- Using MIGO for Cancellation:
- Go to
MIGO. - Select
A03 CancellationandR02 Material Document. - Enter the original material document number you wish to reverse.
- The system will propose the reversal movement type (e.g., if you issued with 201, it will propose 202).
- Post the document.
- Go to
- Using MBST: The
MBSTtransaction is specifically designed for canceling material documents. You enter the original material document number, and the system performs the reversal. This is a quick method for full reversals.
2. Scrapping Stock
If stock is damaged, obsolete, or unusable and needs to be permanently removed from inventory, you perform a scrapping movement. This "cancels" the stock from inventory and typically posts it to a scrap cost center.
- Transaction:
MIGO(Goods Issue) - Movement Type:
551(Goods Issue for scrapping)- This removes stock from unrestricted use.
- Movement Type:
552(Reversal of 551)- Used if a scrapping was done in error and needs to be undone.
- You will typically need to specify a cost center for the scrapping costs.
3. Stock Adjustments (Physical Inventory Differences)
When physical inventory counts reveal discrepancies with system records, you adjust the stock to match the actual physical quantity. This isn't a "cancellation" in the sense of a reversal but an adjustment that reduces or increases stock.
- Process: This usually involves the physical inventory process (
MI01,MI04,MI07). - Movement Types:
701: Goods Receipt for Inventory Difference (to increase stock).702: Goods Issue for Inventory Difference (to decrease stock).711and712are often used for WM (Warehouse Management) managed locations.
Practical Insights and Tips
- Movement Types are Key: Understanding the correct SAP Movement Type is crucial for any stock-related transaction, as it dictates the accounting entries and inventory impact.
- Authorization: Ensure you have the necessary SAP authorizations to perform goods movements and cancellations (transaction codes MIGO, MBST, etc.).
- Impact on Valuation: Reversing goods issues or scrapping stock will affect inventory valuation and potentially trigger new accounting entries.
- Check Stock Levels: Always verify stock levels before and after performing any "cancellation" using transactions like
MB52(List of Warehouse Stocks) orMMBE(Stock Overview) to ensure the changes are correctly reflected. - Audit Trail: Every goods movement in SAP generates a material document, providing a clear audit trail of all inventory changes.
By following these procedures, you can effectively manage and "cancel" stock in SAP, maintaining accurate inventory records and facilitating smooth operational workflows.
