How To Create Sales Document Type in SAP

By : Jessica Blake Jessica Blake
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⚡ Smart Summary

Sales document types in SAP are two-character keys that control how the system processes inquiries, quotations, orders, contracts, and complaints. Creating a custom type in transaction VOV8, backed by a number range from VN01, tailors sales processing to business needs.

  • 🔑 Two-Character Key: A sales document type is a two-character indicator that controls how SAP processes each sales document.
  • 📄 Document Coverage: Types drive pre-sales inquiries and quotations, sales orders, contracts, and customer complaints.
  • 🔢 Number Range: Create an internal number range in VN01 before assigning it to the document type.
  • 🛠️ VOV8 Transaction: Use VOV8 to copy a standard type or create a new one with New Entries.
  • 🧱 Key Sections: Configure Number System, General Control, Transaction Flow, and Shipping.
  • 🔁 Internal vs External: Internal assignment numbers documents automatically; external assignment expects a manual number.
  • 🤖 Automation: AI tools in SAP Sales suggest configuration and detect inconsistent document setups.
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How to Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Sales document types are the foundation of order processing in SAP Sales and Distribution. This step-by-step tutorial explains what they are, how to create an internal number range with VN01, and how to build a custom sales document type with transaction VOV8.

What is a Sales Document Type in SAP?

Sales Documents Types is a 2 character indicator, by which system process different documents in different way. SAP provides many standard sales document type. Sales documents types are used in-

  • Pre – sales activities (inquiry /quotation ).
  • Sales Order.
  • Sales Contract.
  • Customer Complaint.

In Sales order there are three levels –

  1. Header level data
  2. Item level data
  3. Schedule level data

In SAP several standard sales documents types are available. We can create custom sales document type by T-code-VOV8.

Create Internal Number Range using VN01

Create Internal No. Range for sales document type.

VN01 is T- code for creation for Internal No. range. We will use this internal no. in step-3.

  1. Enter T-code VN01 in command field in a new sap session.
  2. Click on Create button for interval .

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

  1. Click on +Interval Button to create new interval range.
  2. Enter From number / To number / current number / leave blank Ext which stands for External Number Range.
  3. Click on save button.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

A Message “The changes were saved” is displayed.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Steps to Create a Sales Document Type in SAP

Step 1)

  1. T-code for sales documents type is VOV8.
  2. Sales document types list.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Step 2) To Create new Sales document type click on Create Sales Document Type in SAP

  • Enter sales document type .
  • Enter sales document category from possible entries list.

This screen have multiple section as above-

  1. Number System
  2. General Control
  3. Transaction Flow
  4. Scheduling Agreement
  5. Shipping
  6. Billing
  7. Requested Delivery Date
  8. Contract
  9. Availability Check

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

We will enter data in Number System / General control / Transaction flow / Shipping Section.

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Step 3) Number System

There are two method for define no. range for Sales Document.

  • Internal Assignment – This assignment works internally and number for sales document generate automatically.
  • External Assignment – This assignment works externally. e.g. in below picture number start from 02.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Step 4) General Control

  • Enter value in Check credit limit / Credit group / Output application field from possible value list/ check Item Division / Read info record.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Step 5) Transaction Flow

  • Enter value in screen sequence grp. / transaction group / document pricing procedure.
  • Enter value in field Display range / Fcode / quotation msg. / Outline agreement msg.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Step 6)

  • Enter value in delivery type filed from possible list entry.
  • Enter ship cost info profile from possible list entry.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Step 7) Click on Save Create Sales Document Type in SAPButton.

A Message “Data was saved”.

Create Sales Document Type in SAP

Best Practices for Sales Document Types

Well-designed document types keep sales processing consistent and easy to maintain. Apply these best practices when configuring them in VOV8:

  • Copy, do not build from scratch: Copy a close standard type such as OR, then adjust only what differs.
  • Follow a naming convention: Use the customer name-space (starting with Z or Y) for custom two-character keys.
  • Assign a number range: Link each type to an internal number range created in VN01.
  • Set controls deliberately: Review General Control, Transaction Flow, and Shipping before saving.
  • Test end to end: Create a test document to confirm pricing, delivery, and billing behave as expected.

FAQs

Yes. In VOV8, select a standard type such as OR and choose Copy As. SAP duplicates all settings into your new two-character key, which you then adjust. Copying is faster and safer than building a type from scratch.

Common standard types include OR for a standard order, QT for a quotation, IN for an inquiry, CR for a credit memo request, and RE for returns. You can copy any of these to create custom types.

The sales document type controls the whole document, such as an order or quotation. The item category controls how each line item behaves within that document. Together they determine pricing, delivery, and billing at header and item level.

Yes. AI-assisted configuration tools in SAP analyze existing setups, flag inconsistent control settings, and suggest values for new document types. This reduces errors and speeds up sales customizing for consultants and business users.

Artificial intelligence automates order entry, predicts delivery dates, detects pricing errors, and recommends cross-sell items. It speeds processing and improves accuracy across the order-to-cash cycle.

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