Introduction: Understanding the Role of Standard Tables in
Material Ledger
In the world of SAP and inventory valuation, the Material
Ledger (ML) plays a vital role. It records every valuation-relevant
transaction for materials in a business. But behind the scenes, a structured
set of standard SAP tables supports these processes. If you're an SAP consultant,
accountant, or business analyst working with ML, knowing what are the
standard tables used for material ledger is crucial for accurate reporting,
price determination, and data archiving.
Key Standard Tables Used in Material Ledger
Below is a comprehensive list of standard SAP Material Ledger
tables, each serving a specific function in tracking and documenting material
transactions:
| Table Name |
Description |
| MLHD |
Material Ledger Document: Header Information |
| MLIT |
Material Ledger Document: Line Item Details |
| MLPP |
Material Ledger Document: Posting Periods and Quantities |
| MLPPF |
Field Groups for Posting Periods and Quantities |
| MLCR |
Currencies and Values in Material Ledger |
| MLCRF |
Field Groups for Currency and Value Records |
| MLCRP |
Price Change Entries: Currency and Price Variations |
| MLMST |
Costing Run Header Data for Material Ledger |
Types of Material Ledger Documents
Material Ledger documents vary depending on the nature of
the business transaction. Below are the most common types of transactions
and their corresponding document types:
| Document Type Code |
Purpose |
| CL |
Material Ledger Closing Entries |
| UP |
Material Ledger Updates |
| PC |
Price Changes |
| ST |
Single-Level Price Determination |
| MS |
Multilevel Price Determination |
| RE |
Material Ledger Data Repairs |
How Are Material Ledger Documents Used?
Material Ledger documents are automatically generated during
valuation-relevant business transactions. Their key uses include:
-
Recording inventory movements with financial implications.
-
Tracking price changes and revaluations.
-
Supporting single-level and multilevel price determinations.
-
Assisting in month-end and year-end closing activities.
-
Enabling accurate cost and financial reporting.
Archiving Material Ledger Documents
For businesses that have closed accounting periods and no
longer require certain documents for ongoing price determination or reporting,
SAP allows archiving. Here’s how it works:
-
Archiving removes old Material Ledger documents from
the database.
-
Only documents from closed periods can be archived.
-
This helps in reducing database load and improving system
performance.
-
Archived documents are no longer accessible for analysis
or reporting.
Summary: Why Knowing These Tables Matters
Understanding the standard tables used in Material Ledger
is essential for:
-
Performing data reconciliation.
-
Customizing reports and queries.
-
Supporting SAP month-end and year-end closing processes.
-
Enhancing overall data accuracy and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the purpose of the MLHD table in the material
ledger?
The MLHD table stores the header information for each
material ledger document, including document number, transaction type,
and posting date.
2. Can material ledger data be archived?
Yes. Material ledger documents from closed periods can be
archived to improve system performance and manage data retention.
3. What is the difference between MLPP and MLCR tables?
MLPP holds posting periods and quantities. MLCR
contains currencies and valuation data for each material ledger document.
4. How does SAP use the MLCRP table?
SAP uses the MLCRP table to store details of price
changes, capturing different currencies and pricing updates for materials.
5. Are these tables used in all SAP systems?
These tables are used in SAP systems where Material Ledger
functionality is activated, especially in SAP S/4HANA and SAP
ECC environments.
6. Is MLST the same as MLMST?
No. MLMST refers to the Costing Run Header Data
specific to material ledger costing runs. MLST could refer to a different
context depending on the SAP module. |
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