The exception codes DIFC, DIFD, DIFE, DIFH, DIFP, DIFS and DIFW are used to confirm a warehouse task with a reference to a delivery with a smaller (or, less often, a larger) quantity. What is the difference between them?

The only difference is the difference type. Exception codes with the difference type «Difference due to inbound delivery» differ from one another additionally by the process code used in the subsequent adjustment operations.

Schematically:

Code	Description	No difference type	1 Difference to source bin	2 Difference to difference account	3 Difference due to inbound delivery	Process code
DIFC	Difference due to inbound delivery (carrier)				X	CARR
DIFD	Difference due to inbound delivery (shipper BP)	QI1			X	I001
DIFE	Difference due to inbound delivery (shipper – source warehouse)				X	SHIP
DIFH	Enter HU differences			X
DIFP	Difference due to inbound delivery (previous CD location)				X	PREF
DIFS	Difference due to source storage bin		X
DIFW	Difference due to warehouse	QI1		X

Exception: for the business context «QI1», DIFD and DIFW have no difference type. This is the counting activity in RF during the quality inspection process.

For example, this is what the configuration of DIFC looks like:

The codes DIFC, DIFD, DIFE and DIFP with the difference type «Difference due to inbound delivery» imply goods discrepancies caused by the business partners involved in forwarding the goods. Applying them results in the quantity being corrected in the warehouse task being executed, in the goods receipt quantity being corrected, and in the delivery item being adjusted with the corresponding process code. I described how process codes work in the article «Process Codes in SAP EWM».

In the adjustment settings of the exception code you can also define the size of the quantity adjustment:

1. By the size of the difference
2. By the maximum permitted quantity

 

When the exception code is applied, the documents «GRC Goods Receipt Correction» and «TDD WT: Confirmation Difference: Delivery» are written into the document flow:

Note:  when copying the standard codes, keep in mind that the adjustment for the process codes DIFC, DIFE and DIFP is configured only for the standard inbound delivery item type IDTR (stock transfer). DIFD adjusts any item type.

Codes with the difference type «Difference to difference account» imply goods discrepancies caused by the warehouse itself.

DIFW is used in goods receipt, goods issue and internal processes, in product tasks only. In RF it can be applied both on the source data screens and on the destination data screens. When the DIFW code is applied:

1. The differences land in the Difference Analyzer with the special difference type «Warehouse task»:

2. The physical inventory reason is «WTDF»:

3. If the code is applied on the RF source data screen (that is, when picking from a bin onto a resource), the source storage bin is recorded in the Difference Analyzer. If, however, the code is applied on the RF destination data screen (that is, when putting away from a resource into a bin), the resource is not recorded in the Difference Analyzer, simply because that field does not exist there. Which is a pity. After all, this is effectively a loss on the resource, and it would be good to charge the cost to it. In principle the user can be found via the number of the warehouse task, which is written into the Difference Analyzer.

4. If the code is applied during putaway of an inbound delivery or goods issue of an outbound delivery, the delivery is not adjusted, but the planned quantity for putaway or goods issue respectively is corrected. This quantity is deducted by the document «TDW», called «WT: Confirmation Difference: Warehouse», in the document flow. For example, for an inbound delivery, TDW deducts from PWP. 90 are open for putaway:

In the case of an outbound delivery, the picking task can be created again.   In the screenshot below, -1 was first confirmed while picking from a bin onto a resource, and then another -4 while putting away from the resource into a bin. In total 5 were picked and another 5 were created again:

The code DIFH is used in the RF menu «Internal Processes» – «Post HU Difference», or on the «Differences» tab of the packing transaction:

It works on the same principle as DIFW, only more narrowly focused. This exception code changes the quantity of a product in an HU after the fact, with or without a reference to a movement warehouse task. The difference then lands in the Difference Analyzer, just as it does with DIFW.

The code DIFS, with the difference type «Difference to source bin», is used to make it possible to confirm a task with a smaller or a larger quantity. Neither a physical inventory document nor differences in the Difference Analyzer are created in this case. Accordingly, when a larger quantity is entered, the system checks that there is enough stock in the source bin. When the code is applied, the document «TDB», called «WT: Confirmation Difference: Source Bin», is written into the delivery flow:

This is probably the most complete description of the use of the DIF* codes available on the internet. I hope the article has been useful.