Each business transaction is recorded in SAP using a unique document. All the modules in SAP R/3 are based on the document concept. Thus, to take an example, a sales order is entered in SAP using a sales order document type, delivery would be created using a delivery document type and so on. SAP provides two unique features with documents. These are "park documents" and "held documents". A SAP user is many a times confused as to what is the difference between a parked document and a held document. Let me explain.

Parked Documents - SAP allows a user to save incomplete documents without extensive input checks using the preliminary posting functionality. Parked document can be compared to an incomplete document. Parked documents can be completed and posted on a later date. Parked documents do not update any tables, transaction data in SAP. However, there is one exception to this rule as parked documents update the cash management figures. In a parked document except currency and company code all other values can be changed at the time of amending the parked document. SAP R/3 allows users to park documents relating to all modules. Thus, you can park a document relating to customers, vendors, assets, GL accounts etc.

Held Documents - Held documents are also incomplete documents in SAP. Suppose if at the time of entry of a document, complete information is not available, a user can hold the document. Held documents can be accessed through standard document entry through "open held document". If a user wants to save a document as a held document, a temporary number needs to be assigned to the document. However, there is one catch with using Held documents. Unlike parked documents, a held document created by one user cannot be accessed by other users since it is created by a users specific ID.

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