S/4HANA Business Partners: Successfully Change Grouping
With the switch to SAP S/4HANA, master data maintenance has changed fundamentally. In the past, anyone who simply adjusted a customer’s account group via transaction XD07 faces a challenge in the new system: the familiar function no longer exists in this form.
But what alternatives does S/4HANA offer in practice? In this guide, we explain step by step how to manage the business partner grouping correctly today and what you should definitely pay attention to when making the switch.
Table of Contents
What has changed?
In SAP S/4HANA, the concept of business partners replaces the previous master data transactions such as XD01, XD02 or XD07. The previous group of accounts was replaced by the so-called grouping.
The group:
- controls the number assignment (internal or external)
- influences field control
- is defined when the business partner is created
A change of grouping is no longer provided for in the standard.
Why is XD07 no longer available?
In the past, XD07 could be used to change the account group of a customer base retrospectively. In S/4HANA, this is no longer possible – and for good reason:
- Grouping affects table structures and required fields
- Switching can lead to inconsistent master data
- Number range logic can be disrupted
That’s why XD07 was abolished by SAP – in favor of consistent and stable master data.
What is the recommended solution?
A subsequent change of grouping is not planned. Instead, SAP recommends the following way:
- Check existing business partner (e.g. transaction data available?)
- Create New Business Partner with the Desired Grouping (Transaction
BP) - Transfer master data such as address, bank details and roles
- Archive or block the old business partner (if possible)
Are there any workarounds?
Technically, it is possible to change the grouping via debugging or manual database changes – for example, with the help of SAP notes such as Note 2570961.
However, these methods are:
- not officially supported by SAP
- associated with a high risk of inconsistencies
- problematic from an audit perspective
Such interventions should only be carried out in exceptional cases and with caution – ideally by experienced SAP consultants.
Result
Changing grouping in SAP S/4HANA is no longer a simple technical process, but a topic of strategic master data maintenance. If you want to work properly, you create business partners directly with the right grouping – and in the event of errors, you can use a new system.
Related Links
- SAP Note 2570961 – Change of grouping in S/4HANA
- SAP Help Portal – Business Partner Concept in S/4HANA
Tip: If an incorrect grouping has been used – don’t mess around for long. Better: create and document new business partners cleanly.
