---
article_id: KB0396661
article_type: FAQ
component_ids:
  - BNS-ARI-SS
  - SBN-AN-ADM
component_descriptions:
  - SAP Business Network for Procurement & Supply Chain > Administration (Buyer & Supplier Account Administration)
  - Strategic Sourcing
products:
  - SAP Ariba Sourcing, cloud edition
  - SAP Business Network for Procurement and SAP Business Network for Supply Chain
personas:
  - Supplier
language: en
created: 2026-03-26
updated: 2026-04-30
source: Knowledge Base
url: https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB0396661
connect_url: https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB0396661?min=1
sap_for_me_url: https://me.sap.com/notes/KB0396661
---

# How do I create a Parent/Child Relationship?

## Symptom

How do I create a Parent/Child relationship with other accounts for my company? How do I link other accounts as my child accounts?

## Resolution

You can create a parent-child relationship in the SAP Business Network, which is one parent account linked to any number of child accounts. This allows the parent account to manage information not only for that account, but also for the child accounts that are linked. To create an Account Hierarchy:  
  
1. In the upper-right corner of the application, click **\[user initials\]** > **Settings** > **Recommended Accounts**.  
2. If you do not see the account you would like to link in the results, click **Open Advanced Search.**  
3. Select **By Unique Identifiers** and enter the SAP Business Network ID (ANID) or the [BNOID](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB1287589). Then click **Go**.  
4. When you see the correct account listed, select the radio bubble next to that account and click **Link** in the upper right corner.  
  
The next page will show the account details including the Administrator name and email address.  
  
1. Enter your **Reason for Linkage** and a comment, then click **Next.**  
2. You will be given the option to link the child account’s company profile with your account. This means that all of the information on your company profile will override the child account’s company profile information. Check the box if you would like to link the company profiles or leave it unchecked if you would not like to link the profiles.  
3. Click **Next.**  
4. Once again you can confirm this is the correct account, and confirm if you would like to link the company profiles or not. When you are ready click **Submit.  
  
**The request will be sent to the account you identified and will need to be approved by that child account administrator to be linked.

## See Also

Once an account has been linked, the administrator of the parent account may **Sign On** as any child accounts linked to access and manage information from the **Connected Accounts** page.

The **Account Hierarchy Administration** permission allows sub users to manage links to child accounts and sign on to child accounts without a username and password. The **Child Account Access** permission enables a user to sign on to child accounts.

You cannot link accounts in your test account, nor merge two or more accounts into a single account.  
  
After setting up Account Linking you may consider **[Multi-organizational billing](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB0397283)** which allows you to consolidate subscription invoices from multiple SAP Business Network accounts within one company.  
  
As another option you can [**Link your user IDs**](https://support.ariba.com/item/view/KB0393255) and switch easily between your accounts without setting up Account Linking.

## Keywords

link accounts, merge accounts, multiple accounts, accounts, hierarchy, connect accounts.