In SAP S/4HANA, the Invoice Receipt (IR) indicator
plays a vital role in the Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) process. It determines
whether an invoice is expected for a specific purchase order (PO) item
and directly influences invoice verification and financial postings. This
comprehensive guide explores all the key locations where the IR
indicator is found in S/4HANA, spanning transactions, configuration
settings, database tables, and Fiori apps. Whether you're an SAP consultant,
procurement analyst, or S/4HANA end user, this article is your go-to reference.
What Is the Invoice Receipt Indicator in SAP S/4HANA?
The Invoice Receipt (IR) indicator in S/4HANA controls
whether an invoice is required for a PO item. When enabled, the system
expects an invoice for that item during the invoice verification process.
It's tightly integrated with the Goods Receipt (GR) indicator and GR-Based
Invoice Verification.
Where to Find the Invoice Receipt Indicator in S/4HANA
Here’s a detailed breakdown of all locations and paths
where the IR indicator can be found:
1. Purchase Order (PO) – Transactions ME21N, ME22N, ME23N
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Location: PO item level
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Path:
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Open ME21N (Create), ME22N (Change), or ME23N (Display) Purchase
Order.
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Go to the Item Details section.
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Click on the Invoice tab.
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Find the Invoice Receipt indicator (field EREKZ
in table EKPO).
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Purpose: Indicates if the system should expect an
invoice for that item.
-
Default Behavior: Auto-set based on the item category
or account assignment.
2. Item Category Configuration – SPRO Path
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Location: Configuration of item categories
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Path:
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SPRO → SAP Reference IMG → Materials Management → Purchasing
→ Purchase Order → Define Item Categories
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Select your item category (e.g., Standard, Consignment)
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Check the Control Invoice Receipt section.
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Purpose: Controls default behavior of IR indicator
for each item category.
3. Account Assignment Category Configuration – SPRO
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Location: SPRO customizing for account assignments
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Path:
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SPRO → SAP Reference IMG → Materials Management → Purchasing
→ Account Assignment → Maintain Account Assignment Categories
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Choose your account assignment (e.g., K – Cost Center)
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Find the IR setting under Control Parameters.
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Purpose: Defines whether invoices are expected based
on account assignment type.
4. Purchase Requisition (PR) – ME51N, ME52N, ME53N
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Location: PR item level
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Path:
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Open ME51N, ME52N, or ME53N.
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Go to Item Details → Valuation tab.
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Locate the Invoice Receipt indicator.
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Purpose: Preliminary control—can influence the PO,
but overridden based on item category setup.
5. EKPO Table – Technical Location
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Location: SAP Database Table
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Field: EREKZ
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Path:
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Use transaction SE16 or SE16N
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Enter table EKPO, filter by PO number and item
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Purpose: IR indicator storage for each PO item
6. SAP Fiori Apps
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Location: Fiori-based PO apps
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Path:
-
Open Fiori app like Manage Purchase Orders or Create
Purchase Order – Advanced
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Select PO → Item Details → Invoice tab
-
Purpose: User-friendly access to same IR data via
modern UI
Key Notes on Invoice Receipt Indicator Usage
-
The IR indicator is distinct from:
-
GR Indicator: Determines whether goods receipt is
expected.
-
GR-Based Invoice Verification: Links invoices directly
to GRs.
-
Disabling IR is useful for:
-
Free-of-charge items
-
Internal transfers
-
Service items where no invoice is expected
Summary Table: Invoice Receipt Indicator Locations
| Area |
Transaction/Path |
Purpose |
| Purchase Order (PO) |
ME21N / ME22N / ME23N → Item Details → Invoice Tab |
Indicates if invoice is required |
| Item Category Config |
SPRO → Purchasing → PO → Define Item Categories |
Default control by item type |
| Account Assignment Config |
SPRO → Purchasing → Account Assignment → Maintain
Categories |
Auto-control based on cost center, etc. |
| Purchase Requisition (PR) |
ME51N / ME52N / ME53N → Item Details → Valuation
tab |
Optional setting, may influence PO |
| EKPO Table |
SE16 / SE16N → EKPO → Field: EREKZ |
Technical location for IR value |
| Fiori Apps |
Manage/Create Purchase Orders (Advanced) → Invoice
Tab |
Modern UI to view/set IR flag |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the role of the Invoice Receipt indicator in S/4HANA?
It determines whether an invoice is expected for a purchase
order item, enabling invoice verification and financial posting processes.
2. Can the IR indicator be changed after PO creation?
Yes, it can be modified in PO change mode (ME22N) unless
blocked by customization or workflow approvals.
3. What happens if the IR indicator is unchecked?
The system won’t expect an invoice for that PO item, and
invoice verification won’t occur for it.
4. Is the IR indicator dependent on the item category?
Yes, item category settings often control whether IR is defaulted
as active or inactive.
5. Can the IR indicator be viewed in Fiori apps?
Yes, modern Fiori apps allow users to view and modify the
IR indicator in a more intuitive interface.
6. How is the IR indicator stored in the system?
It’s saved in field EREKZ of the EKPO table,
accessible via SE16/SE16N.
Conclusion
Understanding the Invoice Receipt indicator in S/4HANA
is crucial for accurate invoice management and procurement control. By
knowing all the key locations—from POs to PRs, SPRO config, and Fiori
apps—SAP users can efficiently manage purchasing processes and avoid
invoice mismatches.
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