Posting key in SAP is used to control the entry of a document line item. In SAP a posting key determines the account type, debit and credit of a line item and the screen layout or filed status of the entry screen.
While posting a document to Sap you need to enter a posting key before entering each line items and by that the debit and credit entry of the item will be known to system.
Keys are defined at the client level and can be used for all the company codes created in SAP. Sap has delivered so many standard keys to use. Keys are even created for all of your special general ledger transactions.
Posting a transaction at item level are controlled by the posting key and general ledger account. Both controls the account type, debit and credit of the item and screen display.
You can use only those posting keys which are allowed in the document type.
How document type are linked
When you define or use a standard posting key, the account type for the key is always defined (i.e. Customer, Vendor, G/L Account, Assets and Material) in it. Same way in OBA7 while creating a document type you select the account types allowed for that particular document types. If both of your selection in posting key and document types are matching then system allow you to post the document.
How the reverse key is determined
While defining the key we also put the reverse key in it which is used while reversing a particular document initially posted with the original posting key. To get the key assigned, we first create both the keys and then assign it with each other.
We always suggest using standard posting key as delivered by SAP. Do not modify the default SAP keys.
You can create your own keys by using transaction code OB41 or though following path;
Path : SPRO > Financial Accounting > Financial Accounting Global Settings > Document > Line item > Controls > Define Posting keys
What are the posting keys used in SAP
Posting Key | Account Type | Debit/Credit | Type of Posting |
1 |
Customer | Debit | Invoice |
2 |
Customer | Debit | Reverse credit memo |
3 |
Customer | Debit | Bank charges |
4 |
Customer | Debit | Other receivables |
5 |
Customer | Debit | Outgoing payment |
6 |
Customer | Debit | Payment difference |
7 |
Customer | Debit | Other clearing |
8 |
Customer | Debit | Payment clearing |
9 |
Customer | Debit | Special G/L debit |
11 |
Customer | Credit | Credit memo |
12 |
Customer | Credit | Reverse invoice |
13 |
Customer | Credit | Reverse charges |
14 |
Customer | Credit | Other payables |
15 |
Customer | Credit | Incoming payment |
16 |
Customer | Credit | Payment difference |
17 |
Customer | Credit | Other clearing |
18 |
Customer | Credit | Payment clearing |
19 |
Customer | Credit | Special G/L credit |
21 |
Vendor | Debit | Credit memo |
22 |
Vendor | Debit | Reverse invoice |
24 |
Vendor | Debit | Other receivables |
25 |
Vendor | Debit | Outgoing payment |
26 |
Vendor | Debit | Payment difference |
27 |
Vendor | Debit | Clearing |
28 |
Vendor | Debit | Payment clearing |
29 |
Vendor | Debit | Special G/L debit |
31 |
Vendor | Credit | Invoice |
32 |
Vendor | Credit | Reverse credit memo |
34 |
Vendor | Credit | Other payables |
35 |
Vendor | Credit | Incoming payment |
36 |
Vendor | Credit | Payment difference |
37 |
Vendor | Credit | Other clearing |
38 |
Vendor | Credit | Payment clearing |
39 |
Vendor | Credit | Special G/L credit |
40 |
G/L Account | Debit | General Ledger Account Debit |
50 |
G/L Account | Credit | General Ledger Account Credit |
70 |
Asset | Debit | Debit Asset |
75 |
Asset | Credit | Credit Asset |
80 |
G/L Account | Debit | Inventory taking |
81 |
G/L Account | Debit | Costs |
82 |
G/L Account | Debit | Inventory Difference |
83 |
G/L Account | Debit | Pirce Difference |
84 |
G/L Account | Debit | Consumption |
85 |
G/L Account | Debit | Change in Stock |
86 |
G/L Account | Debit | GR/IR Clearing Account |
Key 40 and 50 is used most often as these two handles most of the general ledger account in SAP FI document posting.