How To Fix 881231 - Article &1 variant &2 still has references at company code level

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 881 - Recycling Administration

• Message number: 231

• Message text: Article &1 variant &2 still has references at company code level

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 881231 - Article &1 variant &2 still has references at company code level ?

  The SAP error message 881231 indicates that an article (material) with a specific variant still has references at the company code level, which prevents certain actions from being performed on that article. This typically occurs when you are trying to delete or change the status of a material that is still being used in transactions or has dependencies in the system.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Transactions: The article or variant is still linked to existing transactions, such as purchase orders, sales orders, stock movements, or inventory records.
  Master Data Dependencies: The material may be referenced in various master data records, such as BOMs (Bill of Materials), routings, or other related materials.
  Open Documents: There may be open documents or postings that reference the article, preventing its deletion or modification.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can follow these steps:
  
  
  Check for Open Transactions:
  
  Use transaction codes like ME23N (Display Purchase Order), VA03 (Display Sales Order), or MB51 (Material Document List) to check if there are any open documents referencing the article.
  If there are open transactions, you may need to close or delete them before proceeding.
  
  
  
  Review Material Master Data:
  
  Use transaction code MM03 (Display Material) to check the material master data for any dependencies.
  Look for any BOMs, routings, or other references that may be linked to the article.
  
  
  
  Check Stock Levels:
  
  Use transaction code MMBE (Stock Overview) to see if there is any stock available for the material. If stock exists, it must be cleared before the article can be deleted.
  
  
  
  Use the Material Deletion Program:
  
  If you are trying to delete the material, consider using the Material Deletion Program (transaction code MM71) to help identify and remove references.
  
  
  
  Consult with Other Modules:
  
  If the material is used in other modules (like Production Planning or Quality Management), ensure that there are no dependencies in those areas.
  
  
  
  Check for Customizations:
  
  If your organization has custom developments or enhancements, check if there are any custom programs or reports that might be holding references to the material.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM03, ME23N, VA03, MB51, MMBE, and MM71.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or additional guidance related to this error message.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation or help files for more detailed information on material management and handling references.
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a functional consultant who specializes in Material Management (MM) for further assistance.