How To Fix M3189 - The base unit of measure cannot be changed; choose "Display errors"

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M3 - Material Master

• Message number: 189

• Message text: The base unit of measure cannot be changed; choose "Display errors"

What causes this issue?

You wanted to change the base unit of measure. However, you can do so
only under certain circumstances, including the following:
If there are no stocks of the material in the current period and in the
previous period
If there are stocks in the previous period, you can clear them as
follows:
Post the stock in the previous period to the current period (for
example, using movement type 561) so that the stock for the previous
period is the same as the stock for the current period.
Clear the stock with the posting date in the previous period (for
example, using movement type 562).
If no purchase requisitions, purchase orders, or scheduling agreements
exist for the material

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Choose <LS>Display errors</> to see why you cannot change the base unit
of measure for this material.
The pushbutton <LS>Display errors</> appears only in dialog mode, not
in data transfer or in mass maintenance. If this message appears in
data transfer or in mass maintenance, and you want to know why the base
unit of measure cannot be changed, access the material in dialog mode
using the relevant transaction below, try to change the base unit of
measure as required, and then choose <LS>Display errors</>:
Industry
<DS:TRAN.MM02>Proceed</>
Retail
<DS:TRAN.MM42>Proceed</>

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M3189 - The base unit of measure cannot be changed; choose "Display errors" ?

  The SAP error message M3189, "The base unit of measure cannot be changed; choose 'Display errors'," typically occurs when you attempt to change the base unit of measure for a material that is already in use or has existing transactions associated with it. This restriction is in place to maintain data integrity and consistency in the system.
  Cause:
  
  Existing Transactions: The material may have existing purchase orders, sales orders, stock movements, or other transactions that reference the current base unit of measure.
  Material Master Data: The base unit of measure is a critical field in the material master data, and changing it can lead to inconsistencies in inventory management and reporting.
  Configuration Settings: Certain configuration settings in the SAP system may restrict changes to the base unit of measure for specific material types or under certain conditions.
  
  Solution:
  
  Display Errors: As suggested by the error message, you can choose the "Display errors" option to get more details about why the change is not allowed. This will help you identify any specific transactions or dependencies that are causing the issue.
  Check Existing Transactions: Review the material's transaction history to identify any open or active transactions that may be preventing the change. You can use transaction codes like ME23N (Display Purchase Order) or MB51 (Material Document List) to check for related documents.
  Change the Base Unit of Measure: If you determine that there are no active transactions preventing the change, you may need to:
  
  Delete or Close Transactions: If possible, close or delete any transactions that are referencing the material.
  Create a New Material: If changing the base unit of measure is essential and cannot be done due to existing transactions, consider creating a new material with the desired base unit of measure and transferring stock as needed.
  
  
  Consult with SAP Support: If you are unsure about the implications of changing the base unit of measure or if you encounter further issues, consult with your SAP support team or refer to SAP documentation for guidance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Material Master Data: The base unit of measure is defined in the material master record and is crucial for inventory management, purchasing, and sales processes.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM02 (Change Material) and MM03 (Display Material) to manage material master data.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message, as there may be updates or recommendations from SAP.
  
  Always ensure that any changes to the material master data are thoroughly tested in a development or quality assurance environment before applying them in a production environment.