How To Fix ECH_PLA_CUSTOM008 - Characteristic &1 does not exist

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ECH_PLA_CUSTOM -

• Message number: 008

• Message text: Characteristic &1 does not exist

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ECH_PLA_CUSTOM008 - Characteristic &1 does not exist ?

  The SAP error message ECH_PLA_CUSTOM008 indicates that a specific characteristic (denoted by &1) does not exist in the system. This error typically arises in the context of SAP's Variant Configuration (VC) or when working with characteristics in the context of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or other modules that utilize characteristics for product configuration.
  Cause:
  
  Non-Existent Characteristic: The characteristic you are trying to use has not been created in the system.
  Incorrect Characteristic Name: There may be a typo or incorrect naming in the characteristic reference.
  Authorization Issues: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to access the characteristic.
  Configuration Issues: The characteristic may not be assigned to the relevant class or object.
  Transport Issues: If the characteristic was recently created in a different environment (like development) and not transported to the current environment (like production), it may not exist there.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Characteristic Existence:
  
  Go to transaction CT04 (Characteristic Maintenance) and check if the characteristic exists in the system.
  If it does not exist, you will need to create it.
  
  
  
  Verify Characteristic Name:
  
  Ensure that the name of the characteristic is spelled correctly in the configuration or wherever it is being referenced.
  
  
  
  Check Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to access the characteristic. This can be checked with the help of your SAP security team.
  
  
  
  Assign to Class:
  
  If the characteristic exists but is not assigned to the relevant class, you can assign it using transaction CL02 (Class Maintenance).
  
  
  
  Transport the Characteristic:
  
  If the characteristic was created in a different environment, ensure that it is transported to the current environment.
  
  
  
  Debugging:
  
  If the issue persists, consider debugging the program or transaction that is generating the error to identify where the characteristic is being referenced incorrectly.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  CT04: Characteristic Maintenance
  CL02: Class Maintenance
  SE80: Object Navigator (for debugging)
  
  
  
  Documentation: Refer to SAP Help documentation for Variant Configuration or Product Lifecycle Management for more details on characteristics and their usage.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.
  
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to your SAP support team for further assistance.