In SAP, a Number Range Object is a central mechanism used to generate unique numbers for business documents, master data, and transactions.

Key points:

• A Number Range Object is like a container that controls how numbers are assigned to a particular type of document or record (e.g., customer accounts, material masters, purchase orders, invoices).
• It ensures that each document or master data record receives a unique identifier.
• Defined in transaction SNRO (Number Range Objects).
• Each number range object can have multiple intervals (ranges of numbers), which may be assigned to different company codes, plants, fiscal years, or other criteria.
• Numbers can be:
  • Internal → System automatically assigns the next available number in sequence.
  • External → User manually enters a number within a defined range.

Example:

• Number Range Object: DEBITOR (for Customer Accounts)
• Intervals:
  • 100000 – 199999 (for Company Code 1000, internal assignment)
  • 200000 – 299999 (for Company Code 2000, internal assignment)
  • 900000 – 999999 (external assignment, user inputs)

When a new customer is created, the system checks the assigned interval and assigns the next available number (or validates the user-entered number if external).

Usage examples in SAP:

• FI: Document numbers, customer/vendor accounts
• MM: Material numbers, purchase requisitions, purchase orders
• SD: Sales orders, deliveries, billing documents
• HR: Personnel numbers